The headwaters of Redwood Creek at Upper Bootjack were positioned on a relatively steep slope (>8%), bankfull width was narrow (4 ft.), the dominant bed material was large cobble and step pools were evident. Bootjack was not vegetated with many understory plants (2%) as tall redwoods, alder and tanoaks created a closed canopy creating about 85% shade over the channel. We noted >10 trees with widths greater than 12” dbh and we did not observe any invasive species. The floodprone width was comparatively narrow at approximately 14 ft. and the entrainment ratio was 3.5. These characteristics are typical of source reaches in the upper position of a watershed. At the Muir Woods site, the slope decreased to 1-2%, bank full width increased to 27 ft. the dominant substrate was silt/clay, and channel form was run only. We found many trees still present (>10 trees with widths >12” dbh) but community complexity was high with 85% vegetative cover on the banks and slightly less shade over the channel (75%). We observed invasive English Ivy here. The floodprone width was wider (37 ft.) and the entrenchment ratio decreased to 1.37. These characteristics are mostly typical of transport reaches in the mid position of a watershed. …show more content…
The community complexity was high, bankfull vegetation remained high 60% but the trees were smaller (only 4 >12” dbh) and percent cover of shade over the channel decreased again to 60%. The invasive grass Erharta erecta was observed. The floodprone width increased again to 42 ft. and the entrainment ratio increased slightly to 1.9. These characteristics are mostly typical of a transport/depositional reach in the lower position of a