Words From The Wetlands
News from the Klamath Basin National Wildlife
Refuges
Summer 2000
Hunting Changes | Men at Work | Species Spotlight | Wetland/Cropland Rotation
Sump 1(B) Wetland Enhancement Project is Underway!
by Dave Mauser / Biologist
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is currently the scene of one of the largest wetland enhancement projects in the Intermountain West. This project termed the "Sump 1(B) Wetland Enhancement Project" promises to restore much of the lost wildlife species and habitat abundance and diversty on Tule Lake NWR and represents the first large-scale wetland enhancement project in the Refuge's 72 year history. The goal of the project is to encourage the germination and growth of emergent marsh plants to Sump 1(B), thereby improving water quality and increasing the diversity and productivity of wetland habitats.Sump 1(B), an area of 3,500 acres, has been managed primarily as a return flow impoundment for irrigation waters emanating from the Klamath Reclamation Project. As such, water levels have been rigidly controlled over the last 50 years. This very "un-natural" water regime has resulted in an unproductive wetland dominated by shallow open water with extensive growths of green algae during the summer months. Currently, the area provides relatively little habitat for fish or wildlife. In particular, research conducted by Refuge biologists indicates that Sump 1(B) is avoided by the endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers that inhabit the adjacent Sump 1(A). In a cooperative project with Ducks Unlimited, Tulelake Irrigation District, Bureau of Reclamation, and the California Department of Fish and Game; the Fish and Wildlife Service has constructed a variety of water control facilities which will enable the Refuge to dewater the area during late spring and summer, mimicking the historic lowering of water that occurred in the original Tule Lake. This will provide the mudflat conditions needed for germination of native marsh plants. This water removal process is a practice the Refuge commonly uses on adjacent Lower Klamath NWR as well as a series of small experimental wetlands on Tule Lake NWR (the development of Discovery Marsh across from Refuge Headquarters is an example of this practice). During fall and early winter, the area will be reflooded to allow for use of the area by fall migrant waterfowl and other waterbirds. This water removal practice will be continued each year until the desired population of emergent plant species develop (30-40% coverage), at which time the area will be reflooded year round.
The first year's water removal began on May 1, 2000 with the goal of having most of the drawdown accomplished by the end of June. As of June 15, approximately 15-20% of the bottom sediments are exposed. Although it is too early to fully evaluate the success of the project, shorebirds and wading birds are already taking advantage of previously unavailable shallow water and mudflat conditions. Nesting black-neck stilts and American avocets can be seen tending nests and feeding along the southern shoreline while great egrets, white-faced ibis, and great blue herons are foraging in shallow water areas. Reflooding this fall should attract large populations of migrating ducks and geese as well as a host of other wetland birds species.
Over the next several years, visitors will be treated to a demonstration of wetland plant succession as the area progresses from an expanse of open water to a productive seed producing seasonally flooded marsh to a cattail and bulrush dominated year-round flooded wetland. In addition, to changes in habitats over time, the observant visitor will also note that these habitat changes will also support a changing assemblage of wildlife species.
by Dave Menke / Outdoor Recreation Planner
There will be a number of changes affecting hunting programs on Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges in the coming season. These changes are the result of new acquisitions, comments made at the refuge hunting meeting on April 22nd, and habitat management programs on the two refuges. A summary of these hunting topic of interest follows:
1. All areas open to hunting last season on Tule Lake and Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuges will be open for waterfowl hunting during the coming season.
2. Much of the newly acquired area on Lower Klamath Refuge (the Sterns/Orem property) will also be open to hunting). Hunting will be managed on this new refuge unit in the same way that Sheepy East is managed (i.e. no first weekend permits will be required, it will be open to both waterfowl and pheasant hunting and vehicles will be allowed to drive into fields). The field adjacent to state line highway and the area north of the P canal and White Lake access road will be closed to hunting. The refuge is currently improving an access road into this area from the Sheepy East road. Detailed maps of this area will be available to hunters prior to the hunting season.
3. Sump 1B will not be open to hunting in the coming year. In subsequent years (the 2001-02 hunting season and beyond) the refuge is proposing to open the portion of Sump 1B. We anticipate discussing the options for opening a portion of Sump 1B to waterfowl hunting at next year’s hunt meeting.
4. New developments in the Tule Lake field hunting units this fall include the flooding of lots 1 through 4 in the League of Nations area and the possible flooding of some spaced-blind areas .
5. The eastern two-thirds of the Panhandle area of Tule Lake Refuge may also be flooded this fall and winter as a soil pest control measure. This unit will be open to hunting as in the past.
6. The refuge policy regarding the use of off road and amphibious vehicles is to allow the recreational use of off-road and amphibious vehicles for hunting only in the following field units: the League of Nations and Panhandle units of Tule Lake Refuge; and Sheepy East, Sheepy West, Miller Island, the Oregon Straits and field areas in the Orem/Sterns units of Lower Klamath Refuge. No other use of off road or amphibious vehicles for hunting or other recreational activities is permitted on these refuges or on Clear Lake, Bear Valley, Klamath Marsh or Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuges.
7. Up to four disabled hunter blinds will be built and placed in or adjacent to the Tule Lake spaced-blind units. The refuge is considering moving one of the existing disabled hunter blinds on Lower Klamath Refuge to a new location. These blinds will be available for hunters who currently qualify for and possess disabled parking permits.
8. A fee drop box will be installed near the north end of the Straits Unit.
by Mike Johnson / Refuge Operations Specialist
Summer is usually the busiest time of the year on the refuge for the maintenance crew, and this year is no exception. We are stretched to the limit on manpower and equipment but we continue to make good progress. Two major projects were completed in April/May. The Sump 1-B project, on Tule Lake, cost nearly $1 million dollars and took most of the maintenance crew all winter and spring to complete. Numerous water control structures and pumps were installed, fish screens were fabricated and put into place. In addition several miles of ditches were dug and cleaned. The effort was well worth it since this will substantially increase waterfowl production and usage on Tule Lake NWR. It will also improve water quality. For their hard work and long hours, the maintenance crew was given Outstanding Achievement Awards.| In April, we completed the Biology Office addition. We constructed a large deck to provide accessibility for disabled users and to enhance the appearance of the modular building. The last week of April was "moving day." The crew relocated the biologists and all their office furniture, files and equipment. At present the new building houses four biologists and a volunteer. By the end of summer, there should also be a CWA (California Waterfowl Association) biologist and a biology technician. The new building is located at the headquarters complex, between the Administration/Visitor Center and the shop and garage buildings. This fall, we will install sidewalks and landscape the area. | |
In mid-June, the maintenance crew completed the first half of the seasonal quarters remodeling project. The first phase consists of an addition that can sleep up to four people, an adjacent living room and new bathroom facilities. The old apartment was remodeled into a dining room and the old bathroom was made into a laundry room. New flooring was installed throughout and new appliances and fixtures were put into place. The first occupant, volunteer bio-tech, Denise Ecker (from Pennsylvania), moved in on June 23rd. We have already started on the second phase of the project, which is an adjoining bunkhouse/bathroom addition. The crew began sheet rocking the new addition on July 1. We hope to have the addition completely finished by mid-August. When it is completed, the addition will house up to eight seasonal employees, volunteers and researchers.
Road maintenance and repair is well underway. Most of the improvements, this year, will be on Lower Klamath NWR. We will concentrate on hunter access roads. This is possible because money generated from hunter access fees allowed us to purchase both base and surface gravel. Approximately two miles of road have already been improved. We will continue around the east side of the refuge, eventually rebuilding the entire Sheepy East road. Refuge roads will also be widened in areas and the boat ramps improved or rebuilt.
In addition to these projects, we continue our program of replacing all canal and ditch bridges with culverts. This multi-year project, when completed, will eliminate bridge maintenance and provide us considerable savings in manpower and materials. This month, we will finish the additional office space in our Tule Lake shop, which will be used by the full-time Irrigator and the Maintenance Foreman. Annual summer chores continue, including water control structure repair, equipment repair and maintenance, ditch clean-out and roadside mowing.
We have saved a considerable amount of money by acquiring and utilizing military and other agency’s surplus equipment. Acquisitions this year include: 2 forklifts (U.S. Navy), 1 roller/compactor (USFWS), 2 pickups (BOR & FWS) and miscellaneous pipe and steel (BPA). Our mechanics do a great job of getting the equipment shipshape, so that we can put it to work almost immediately. So the next time you are driving thorough the refuge be sure to give a wave to the maintenance crew. It is through their efforts that many species of wildlife have a home. And their untiring work on roads and other areas allows you to have a safe and enjoyable visit.
by David Champine / Park Ranger
Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor)
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The Wilson’s phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) is a member of phalarope family. The other members of the phalarope family are Red Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius) and Northern Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus). The phalarope family is the most aquatic of all shorebirds. The Red phalarope and the Northern phalarope are the only truly oceanic shorebirds, spending much of the year at sea. They are found in both the new and old worlds. Whereas the phalarope family is unique among shorebirds, the Wilson’s phalarope is unique in the phalarope family. The Wilson’s phalarope is the freshwater member of the phalarope family. It is also the largest (8-1/2 to 9 inches) and most land dwelling of the phalaropes. Wilson’s phalaropes are found only in the new world. |
Once at the nesting grounds, the female takes the lead during courtship and breeding. She will display herself for the males and sometimes several females chase one male. Once a female has attached herself to one male, she defends him and the general nest area against other females. The Wilson’s phalarope is a semi-colonial nester that builds a well concealed, grass-lined hollow in the grass or marsh. Generally, the female builds the nest. The male incubates the 3-4 eggs. The eggs are buffy, heavily overlaid with dark brown dots or blotches. Incubation takes approximately 20 days. The female defends the nest during this time. Once the eggs have hatched the male usually tends the brood.
Another unique trait of the Wilson’s phalarope is it’s feeding habits. It is a more inland bird than other species of phalaropes, so it feeds mainly along the muddy shores or in shallow water, while walking or wading. It submerges its head and probes the bottom with its long bill. It then whirls around on the water, dabbing at the surface with its bill forward or backward, with or against the whirling motion of its body. This action stirs up larvae of mosquitoes and crane flies for the phalarope to eat. The Wilson’s phalarope has a commensalism relationship with the Shoveler duck(Anas cypeata) (a relation between two kinds of organisms in which one obtains food or other benefits from the other without damaging or benefiting it). The phalarope feeds in the same areas, eating the small aquatic animals that are stirred up by the ducks as they feed on other things.
The Wilson’s phalarope can be found in good numbers on the White Lake unit of the Lower Klamath Refuge, in early summer, before the unit is seasonally drained of water. Many phalaropes have been attracted to Sump 1-B on Tule Lake, which is currently being drained. They are most easily seen in the Southeast corner of the sump, visible from the east entrance road to the Lava Beds National Monument.
by Sam Johnson / IPM Specialist
Wetland rotation is a refuge management strategy used on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) to manipulate vegetative succession. The practice has been shown to perpetuate the early successional status of refuge wetlands in favor of waterfowl. A five year rotation has been recently implemented whereby a given parcel of land is farmed in small grains for five years followed by a combination of seasonal and/or year-round wetland for five years. The cycle can be repeated indefinitely. Benefits to refuge wildlife resources are the provision of vigorous waterfowl habitats including food and cover during the wetland period and a supplemental food source during the farming period from the unharvested crop share and also from the presence of young small grain sprouts which become available when the crop germinates and emerges. Wetland rotation is also known as flood fallow.A pilot project investigating the potential for wetland rotation on Tule Lake NWR was initiated in 1996. Knowing the potential benefits for wildlife resources, examination of potential benefits for agriculture was a high priority objective. Potential benefits to agriculture may include reduction of soil-borne plant diseases, plant parasitic nematodes and weeds. Published research has reported near eradication of Verticillium, a soil-borne plant pathogen, after one year rice paddy rotations, equivalent of a one year wetland rotation. Verticillium dahliae is a known potato pathogen and is reported to play a dominant role in the potato early dying syndrome. Reports from the University of California have indicated that two months of continuous flooding resulted in a 100% reduction in viable sclerotia of the soil-borne potato pathogen causing white mold. White mold, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, occurs on refuge lease lands and can be a serious potato disease. Numerous plant parasitic nematode species occur on refuge cooperative farming parcels and lease lands. Among the species present are barley root knot nematode, Meloidogyne naasi, Columbia root knot nematode, Meloidogyne chitwoodi, and root lesion nematode, Pratylenchus neglectus. Nematode surveys from 1964 suggest that barley root knot nematode has been present in Tule Lake NWR since that time. Flood fallow is used to control quack grass, Elytrigia repens (formerly Agropyron repens), in grain fields on Lower Klamath NWR lease lands. Preliminary studies suggest that flood fallow may also control wild oat, Avena fatua. Presently, over 400 acres of crop land on Tule Lake NWR and over 100 acres of crop land on Lower Klamath NWR are in flood fallow.
