Mokelumne Wildlife
- Vegetation Mapping
- Bird Surveys
- Neotropical Bird Monitoring
- Amphibian and Reptile Surveys
- Small
Mammals Surveys
Introduction
EBMUD, in conjunction with other stakeholders, is establishing baseline information about vegetation and wildlife along the lower Mokelumne River. This information provides EBMUD with a picture of the ecological condition of the lower Mokelumne River needed to plan and prioritize projects designed to restore or enhance ecological systems in the area. Over the long-term (10-25 years) this type of information is invaluable in determining the effects of river operation and potential ecosystem improvements in the riparian corridor. EBMUD, the California Department of Fish and Game, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the Lower Mokelumne River Partnership to develop joint action plans to protect the Mokelumne River Ecosystem; this baseline information is designed to assist in the development of these action plans.
Vegetation Mapping
Using the information developed by researchers from the University of California, Davis to define and categorize vegetation communities in the lower Mokelumne River, EBMUD is mapping vegetation communities 100 meters on either side of the river. The map will distinguish and quantify vegetation communities along the river and is being incorporated into a Geographic Information System (GIS). This map will aid in restoration of the lower Mokelumne River.
Bird
Surveys
EBMUD conducted a survey of falcons, kites, hawks, and owls in the lower
Mokelumne River watershed from April 1998 to April 2001. The survey
consisted of day and night surveys of the lower Mokelumne River by boat and
roadside surveys of the watershed by automobile. The survey yielded
2,172 observations of 16 species. Red-tailed hawk, American kestrel,
Swainson's hawk, white-tailed kite, red-shouldered hawk, northern harrier,
and osprey were the most commonly observed species.
Neotropical
Bird Monitoring Researchers from
California State University, Sacramento conducted neotropical bird monitoring
from April 1999 to February 2000 along the lower Mokelumne River from Camanche
Reservoir to Woodbridge, California. A total of 67 bird point count
stations were established along the river. A total of 119 species was
identified as occurring along the lower Mokelumne River, including a number of
Species of Special Concern: double-breasted cormorant, long-billed curlew,
loggerhead shrhike, common yellowthroat, yellow warbler, and yellow-breasted
chat. Breeding activity was recorded for the following neotropical
migrants: Swainson's hawk, tree swallow, cliff swallow, northern rough-winged
swallow, western wood-peewee, ash-throated flycatcher, western kingbird,
black-headed grosbeak, and Bullock's oriole.
Amphibian
and Reptile Surveys EBMUD is using drift fences with
pitfall traps and funnel traps, and coverboard arrays to survey amphibians and
reptiles in the lower Mokelumne River area. These three methods will
provide a comprehensive species list of reptiles and amphibians that inhabit the
area. To date, western fence lizard, Gilbert skink, southern alligator
lizard, sharp tail snake, racer, gopher snake, common kingsnake, valley garter
snake, mountain garter snake, western rattlesnake, western toad, pacific
treefrog, bullfrog, slider, and western pond turtle have been observed in the
area.
Small
Mammals Surveys Using small mammal live traps and track plates, EBMUD is surveying the
mammal populations along the lower Mokelumne River. Operated seasonally,
these traps and track plates will provide information on the occurrence and
habitat use of mammals in the river corridor.