Hydrologic and aquatic habitat restoration at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge: A refuge-wide restoration plan

Authors: Robert J. Andress, Sharon D. McKelvey, Cristi R. Baldino, Darrick S. Weissenfluh, Gayton G. Scoppettone

Year: 2009 (xli)

Abstract

A refuge-wide hydrologic and aquatic habitat restoration plan is presently being prepared for Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Prior to refuge establishment spring outflow channels were diverted for agricultural use and the associated stream channel and wetland habitat was lost due to the development of fields for agricultural production. The construction of dams, levees, roads, and other hydrologic barriers resulted in the impairment of ecosystem function and process. Habitat alteration resulted in the extirpation of the Ash Meadows speckled dace Rhinichthys osculus nevadensis from the Upper Carson Slough (located in the northern portion of Ash Meadows). The loss of connectivity between individual springs throughout the refuge resulted in the isolation of previously connected populations of the Ash Meadows pupfish Cyprinodon nevadensis mionectes. The primary restoration actions include returning spring outflow channels to their historic location, stream channel construction, wetland restoration, and removing hydrologic modifications including ditches and water storage impoundments.