The Kwatna River watershed drains an area of approximately 3833 hectares (Difiore and Forrington, 1997). Kwatna river runs approximately 34 km from its headwaters to Kwatna Bay (Difiore and Forrington, 1997). Its main tributaries are Oakbeck creek, Slousiska creek, Bear creek, 12-mile creek, McNally creek, Gus creek, 1.5-mile creek, and Glacier creek.

The Kwatna river watershed falls, mostly, within the submontane very wet maritime variant of the Coastal Western Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone. The result is a wet, humid climate with cool summers and mild winters featuring relatively little snow and long growing seasons (Green and Klinka, 1994). Dominant vegetation in undisturbed forest sites in most nutrient rich riparian areas are Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata), Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and Amabilis Fir (Abies amabilis) overstories and salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), Devil’s Club (Oplopanax horridus), and Spiny Wood Fern (Dryopteris expansa) understories. With logging disturbance these areas usually revert to salmonberry dominated shrub communities. In some cases Red Alder (Alnus rubra) and minor amounts of Black Cottonwood (Populous balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) become established.

Coho (Oncorhynchus kisutch), Chum (O. keta), Pink (O. gorbuscha), Chinook (O. tshawytscha), Sockeye (O. nerka), Rainbow/Steelhead (O. mykiss), Cutthroat (O. clarki), Dolly Varden (Salvelinus malma), Bull Trout (S. confluentus), various sculpins were observed by Difiore and Forrington (1997) in the Kwatna River watershed. All the salmonids using the Kwatna river watershed are at lower numbers than indicated by historical records (Difiore and Forrington, 1997).

Logging began in the lower Kwatna around 1920 with railway access almost to Oakbeck creek and was mostly concentrated on the northern bank of the Kwatna River. This harvesting removed a large portion of the riparian vegetation. The area reverted through natural re-vegetation, it is assumed, to a young forest of Amabilis Fir, Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce and Red Alder. The drainage was left relatively untouched until approximately 1972 when harvesting began beside 1.5-mile creek and progressed up the Kwatna river and its main tributaries for approximately the next 20 years. This period of harvesting resulted in approximately 80% of the low elevation valley bottom areas being progressively clearcut (Difiore and Forrington, 1997). During this period the second growth from the 1920"s logging was also harvested in relatively small patches. During this 20 year time period riparian reserve zones went from non-existent to the approximately 20m reserves on the second growth harvesting on the north side of the lower Kwatna river and the back ends of the upper Kwatna and Oakbeck rivers. In 1989 a large non-harvesting related landslide deposited considerable amounts of material into the Slousiska creek and was carried down to the Kwatna river taking out roads and bridges in its wake.

Almost riparian management areas, since the 1970’s harvesting, have been planted with coniferous seedlings. A large portion of these seedlings have had to be intensively managed through herbicide application to ensure the maintenance of stocking levels in theses areas. Very little herbicide use has occurred in the Kwatna River watershed in the last few years with the majority of applications occurring between 1980 to 1992. The result of this intensive management is high conifer stocking throughout most riparian areas in the recently harvested blocks. Small patches of deciduous (Red Alder) still exist but current stand management plans due not include these areas for treatment. Since 1993 a large portion of the lower slope stands from 1.5-mile creek to 12-mile creek have been spaced. Future spacing is intended to occur up to and beside McNally creek. Most of these areas are scheduled for pruning as well. Current layout of these enhanced forestry activities around 12-mile creek and those planned for beside McNally creek all incorporate current riparian area management strategies.

Road access into the Kwatna River watershed is slowly being reduced. Currently there is no road access beyond McNally creek, across to the Oakbeck, or into the rest of the tributaries. Most of the road access restrictions are a result of watershed restoration projects stabilizing road structures and re-establishing unrestricted drainage patterns. While the loss of road access is not likely to limit riparian activity or function it can hamper or constrain riparian restoration activities.

Riparian vegetation provides a critical interface between terrestrial and aquatic resources in a watershed (Oikos et al, 1996). The composition and condition of riparian areas can have important impacts on the ecology and stability of adjacent streams, wetlands, and lakes (Oikos et al, 1996). To determine the current condition and seral stages of the vegetation within the riparian management area of the Kwatna main stem and its main tributaries a inventory was undertaken in order to identify and assess riparian areas where riparian function has been lost or impaired as a result of forest harvesting.

As per the direction of the Riparian Assessment and Prescription Procedures WRP Field Guide June 1996 Draft 3A a Watershed Level Riparian Assessment was conducted on the Kwatna main stem and its main tributaries.

Riparian management areas of these watercourses where stratified into uniform stream segments and classified based on the riparian vegetation structural types using 1:20000 aerial photography.

Initial classifications were confirmed through aerial and ground reconnaissance of the Kwatna river and its main tributaries. The majority of disturbed riparian vegetation segments are a result of harvesting activity unless otherwise stated or indicated.

Assessments of riparian functional condition were based upon Tables A2.3 and Table A2.5 of the WRP Riparian Assessment Prescriptions and Procedures Field Guide (Draft 3A). Riparian segments where prioritized for specialist site visitation using the Difiore and Forrington (1997) report, aerial photograph assessments, and local knowledge.

Digital maps showing the drainage and road network, the areas of uniform riparian classes, all harvested boundaries along the main water courses, species mixes, the structural stage of the vegetation and the riparian management areas were prepared.

A summary of riparian segment characteristics for the Kwatna main stem and its major tributaries is summarized in Table 1.

For the first 3.3 km of the Kwatna river (riparian segments 1-4; Reaches 1 and 2) the majority of harvesting occurred in approximately the 1920’s and removed timber to the river edge. Most of this area has reforested to young coniferous and deciduous forests approximately 80 years of age. The southern side of the river through these segments contains the Kwatna camp and road system leading to upper valley areas. The majority of the riparian vegetation falls within the young coniferous forest (YFc) structural stage. The result is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability and nutrient filtering. Large organic debris inputs are very limited or lost throughout most of this area, however, since this portion of the river is mostly class S1a this lost riparian function has only a moderate importance for fish habitat value. As well, most of these stands have reached a stem size where they may act as large organic debris if entered into the river channel. Natural break up and mortality of stems within this stand may not be at a sufficient rate for a few more decades.

Riparian segments 5 to 14 (Reaches 2-8) contain a mixture of initial vegetation, pole/sapling, young, mature, and old coniferous and deciduous forests resulting from the first pass logging in the 1920’s and more recent harvesting beginning around 1972. The majority of the riparian vegetation through this area falls within the young, mature, and old forest structural stages. The resulting impacts of these structural stages on riparian function are impaired stream shading, channel stability, and nutrient filtering with lost large organic debris inputs through most of the young forest structural areas (YFd), as well as, impaired stream shading, large organic debris inputs, and channel stability in the mature forest structural areas (MFc). The retention of the thin bands of large trees in early riparian reserve zone attempts may minimize some of the impacts of lost or impaired large organic debris inputs throughout this area until the young and mature stands reach an age where natural mortality regularly inputs large organic debris into the system. As well, the majority of these young and mature structural stages have reached a stem size where they may act as large organic debris if input into the channel at this time. Large organic debris inputs have only a moderate value for riparian function through this class S1 section of the river.

The more recent harvesting established small riparian reserve zones on Kwatna river. A majority of the harvested areas have obtained a pole/sapling stage of mainly coniferous content. Some of these areas have received some intensive silvicultural treatments such as spacing and pruning. It is also portions of this area, on the south side of the river, which is slated for future intensive silvicultural treatments, however, current Stand Management Prescription procedures should establish appropriate riparian management areas on the Kwatna river. The rest of the recently harvested areas are small brush dominated patches with sparse coniferous understories. The impacts on riparian function of these structural stages (PSd, and PSc) are lost large organic debris inputs and impaired stream shading, channel stability and nutrient filtering, as well as lost stream shading, large organic debris inputs, channel stability and impaired nutrient and sediment filtering in the low shrub structural stages (SHRls). Most of these impacts are mitigated by the location of the SHRls stands behind thin strips or scattered individuals of reserved river edge large diameter stems. Stream shading and sediment filtering have low riparian functional value while large organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering have only a moderate value for riparian function through this class S1 section of the river.

Riparian segments 15 to 17 (Reaches 8-10) contain mostly stands in a pole/sapling stage with scattered mature individuals and patches of old forest. This area has also experienced some intensive silvicultural treatments such as spacing and is scheduled for further treatment in the near future. These areas have all been treated recently and appropriate riparian management areas have been established on all watercourses. The resulting impact of the dominant structural stage (PSc) is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering with lost large organic debris inputs. The lost large organic debris inputs are slightly minimized by the retention of a few scattered veterans along the rivers edge and by the scattered patches of old forest in this area. Large organic debris inputs have only moderate riparian functional value through this class S1 section of the river.

Riparian segments 18 to 20 (Reaches 10-11) contain mostly stands in a pole/sapling stage with scattered mature individuals and patches of old forest. These stands have not had any intensive silvicultural treatments and are not scheduled to receive any in the near future. The resulting impact of the dominant structural stage (PSc) is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering with lost large organic debris inputs. The lost large organic debris inputs are slightly minimized by the retention of a few scattered veterans along the rivers edge and by the scattered patches of old forest in this area. Large organic debris inputs have only moderate riparian functional value through this class S1 section of the river.

Riparian segments 21 to Kwatna head waters (Reach 11) gradually goes from old forest to mixtures of avalanche tracts and old forest to mainly avalanche tracts. No harvesting has occurred or is scheduled to occur in these areas according to the 1997-2001 International Forest Products five-year resource management plan for this area.

As indicated by the structural stages and species mixtures of the vegetation within the riparian management areas of the Kwatna river only time is required to re-establish aquatic-terrestrial vegetation dynamics and riparian vegetation function. No sites require immediate intervention or specialist visitation to develop rehabilitation or restorative strategies along the Kwatna river.

Riparian segment 22 (Reach 1) contains mostly pole/sapling stage stands resulting from early 1980’s harvesting. The majority of these stands are well on the way to re-establishing riparian management area vegetation function. This dominant structural stage results in impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering along with lost large organic debris inputs. Large organic debris has only moderate riparian functional value on this class S1 section of the creek. The few stands within the initial vegetation stage have been planted with coniferous seedlings, however, heavy brush growth may hamper the establishment of these coniferous seedlings. The reforestation of these areas falls within the legal obligations of the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program of the Mid-Coast Forest District. Brushing may be required to ensure the survival of these seedlings in these areas. These initial vegetation areas also have scattered single veterans retained along the creek edge reducing some of the impact of lost large organic debris inputs associated with this structural stage. High coniferous growth rates in these areas, if the competitive impacts of brush are reduced, should lower the amount of time it takes the stand to reach the pole/sapling stage where most riparian function begins to be re-established. If brush is not treated and conifer mortality increases as a result of brush competition then the stand may remain in these early structural stages with little riparian function.

Riparian segment 48 (Reach 2) mostly consists of stands in the initial vegetation stage and are quickly becoming dominated by a mixture of coniferous seedlings and shrub species (Rubus spectabilis). The stands within the initial vegetation stage have been planted with coniferous seedlings, however, heavy brush growth may hamper the establishment of these coniferous seedlings. The reforestation of these areas falls within the legal obligations of the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program of the Mid-Coast Forest District. Brushing may be required to ensure the survival of these seedlings in these areas. High coniferous growth rates in these areas, if the competitive impacts of brush are reduced, should lower the amount of time it takes the stand to reach the pole/sapling stage where most riparian function begins to be re-established. If brush is not treated and conifer mortality increases as a result of brush competition then the stand may remain in these early structural stages with little riparian function.

The majority of the stands in the riparian management area of 12-mile creek are progressing at a rate and composition which only requires time for the re-establishment of riparian management area vegetation function. The stand which are still in the initial vegetation stage may require some brushing intervention in order to ensure coniferous seedling survival. The initial vegetation areas fall under the legal reforestation obligations of the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program of the Mid-Coast Forest District. No sites require immediate intervention or specialist visitation, with the exception of the initial vegetation structural stages, to develop rehabilitation or restorative strategies along the Kwatna river. These initial vegetation structural stages along 12-mile creek are rated as having a moderate priority for restorative intervention.

Riparian segment 23 mostly contains stands in the pole/sapling stage with a few scattered patches of old forest. The juvenile stands in these areas are scheduled for intensive silvicultural treatment in the near future. All treatments in these areas will be under the direction of a stand management prescription which should establish appropriate riparian management areas on all water courses. The resulting impact of the dominant structural stage (PSc) is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering with lost large organic debris inputs. The lost large organic debris inputs are slightly minimized by the retention of a few scattered veterans retained along the rivers edge and by the scattered patches of old forest in this area. Large organic debris inputs have a very high riparian functional value through this class S2 section of the river.

Given time these areas will re-establish riparian management area vegetation function. No further interventions area required.

Riparian segment 24 (Reach 1)contains mostly coniferous dominated stands in the pole/sapling stage with a few scattered patches of mature and young coniferous forests. No further intensive silvicultural treatments are scheduled. The resulting impact of the dominant structural stage (PSc) is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering with lost large organic debris inputs. The lost large organic debris inputs are slightly minimized by the retention of a few scattered veterans along the rivers edge and by the scattered patches of old forest in this area. Large organic debris inputs have only moderate riparian functional value through this class S1 section of the river. The large naturally occurring slide near the southern end of this riparian segment has begun to naturally fill in with a heavy canopy of young red alder (Alnus rubra) in the pole/sapling stage (PSd). The additional impact of this structural stage to those of the PSc discussed above is the loss of stream shading. Stream shading has low riparian functional value on a class S1 creek. The slide appears to have naturally stabilized and mostly re-vegetated since its occurrence.

Given time these areas will re-establish riparian management area vegetation function. No further interventions are required

Riparian segments 25 and 26 (Reach’s 1-2) contain mostly old forests with a few scattered patches of naturally occurring shrub dominated stands associated with sedge meadows and avalanche tracts. No further harvesting is scheduled for these areas according to the 1997-2001 International Forest Products five-year resource management plan for this area.

As indicated by the structural stages and species mixtures of the vegetation within the riparian management areas of the Slousiska intervention to aid in the establishment of vegetation and the re-establishment of riparian function is not required. Currently, only time is required to re-establish aquatic-terrestrial vegetation dynamics and riparian vegetation function.

Riparian segments 27 to 29 (Reach 1)contain the braided channels of the mouth of the Oakbeck. Some of this area may have been part of the 1920’ harvesting which occurred in the lower Kwatna valley. No recent harvesting has or is scheduled to occur in this area according to the 1997-2001 International Forest Products five-year resource management plan. The vegetation in this area is mainly mature coniferous forests. This structural stage (MFc) results in impaired stream shading, large organic debris inputs and channel stability. On the class S1 channels of this reach these functions have low or moderate riparian functional value, however, on the class S2 channels of this reach they have moderately to very high riparian functional value. This area has a high priority rating for specialist site visitation and possible intervention.

Riparian segment 30 (Reach 2) contains a mixture of old coniferous forest, mature coniferous forest, coniferous and deciduous pole/sapling stands, and some initial vegetation stands. Some mature individuals and patches were retained along the majority of the Oakbeck when harvesting occurred in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. The areas where harvesting encroached upon the riparian management areas have been planted with coniferous seedling and are either well established, as in the pole/sapling stands, or require little further intervention to ensure seedling survival and establishment. No intensive silvicultural activities are scheduled for these areas in the near future. The dominant structural stage is the pole/sapling (PSc) which results in impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering with lost large organic debris inputs. The loss of large organic debris has been minimized with the retention of the few scattered veterans along the creek edge and with scattered patches of retained old forest. Large organic debris has a moderate riparian functional value on a class S1 creek.

Riparian segment 31 (Reach 3) mostly consists old forest with a few patches of harvesting occurring in the southern portion of this segment. Where harvesting has occurred in this riparian segment it has left some of the riparian management area in its original pre-harvest condition. Those areas where harvesting has occurred have been planted with coniferous seedlings and further intervention to establish those seedling is not anticipated. Difiore and Forrington (1997) report that the harvested areas in this segment contain very important spawning and rearing habitat. Thus, while the initial vegetation structural stage only occurs over a very small portion of this riparian segment it covers a very critical portion of it. The loss of stream shading, large organic debris, small organic debris, and channel stability in this area can have significant impacts on the fish utilizing the Oakbeck river. While some of these impacts have been lowered by the retention of veterans within the riparian management areas this site has a high priority for site visitation by a specialist and for potential intervention. The initial vegetation area falls under the legal reforestation obligations of International Forest Products Ltd.

Riparian segment 32 to head waters (Reach 4) gradually shifts from old forest to mixtures of avalanche tracts and old forest to mainly avalanche tracts. No further harvesting is scheduled to occur in these areas according to the 1997-2001 International Forest Products Ltd. five-year resource management plan for this area. A small portion of this riparian segment is in the initial vegetation structural stage due to harvesting activities. This area lies behind a naturally occurring patch of young forest and has resulted in lost sources of large organic debris.

As indicated by the structural stages and species mixtures of the vegetation within the riparian management areas of the Oakbeck most areas do not require intervention to aid in the establishment of vegetation or the re-establishment of riparian function. Currently, only time is required to re-establish aquatic-terrestrial vegetation dynamics and riparian function along most of the Oakbeck creek. However, the class S2 channels of Reach 1 and the recently harvested portion of Reach 3 are rated as having a high priority for site visitation by a specialist and for potential intervention due to the high level of impaired or lost riparian function combined with the critical fish habitat occurring within these areas.

Riparian segments 33-37 (Reaches 1-2) contains the braided channels of the lower portion of Bear creek. The overstory vegetation consists mainly of young deciduous forest resulting from the 1920’s harvesting in this area. The young forest (YFd) structural stage results in lost large organic debris inputs and impaired stream shading, channel stability and nutrient filtering. The understory, however, is relatively depauperate due to the heavy wash of the soil surface by the constant movement of Bear creek and the deposition of material from higher up washouts. Creek channelization has been severely disrupted by bedload movement and deposition in these areas. This area has a high priority for stabilization, re-vegetation, and site visitation by a specialist.

Riparian segment 38 (Reach 3) contains mostly old forest beside the falls of Bear creek. Little harvesting has occurred in this area and none is scheduled for the future. Given the steep nature of this segment of the creek it acts as a transportation zone for bed load material moving from higher positions into riparian segments 33-37.

Riparian segment 39 (Reach 4) contains initial vegetation of the recently harvested areas adjacent to the southern boundary of the riparian segment and old forests graduating into avalanche tracts at the headwaters. The portion of bear creek which runs through the harvested areas appears to have greatly increased the width of the channel. Harvesting removed almost all mature timber to the original channel width and appears to have resulted in the loss of stream bank integrity. Bear creek through this portion has washed a considerable amount of material from these banks and it is assumed that this material has been deposited into riparian segments 33-37. The harvested but intact banks of the riparian vegetation management areas have been planted with conifers and chemically brushed. It is assumed that these areas will not require future intervention to establish the coniferous vegetation. The very wide new channels of Bear creek, however, requires intervention to aide in the establishment of vegetation to reduce the movement and deposition of material into riparian segments 33 to 37. This area has lost stream shading, large organic debris inputs, small organic debris inputs and channel stability all of which have high riparian functional importance on a class S2 stream. This area is of high priority for restoration activities and site visitation by a specialist in order to protect the fish sensitive riparian segments in lower reaches. The harvesting which occurred in this area is under the legal obligations of the Small Business Forest Enterprise Program of the Mid-Coast Forest District.

Bear Creek is of high priority for restoration activities and specialist site visitation due to the continual movement of bedload material and the potential loss of fish habitat features from the lower reaches. Re-vegetation and re-channelization must occur in order to re-establish productivity to this riparian system.

Riparian segment 40 (Reach 1) contains coniferous pole/sapling stands. The resulting impact of this structural stage is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability, and nutrient filtering with lost large organic debris inputs. Some intensive silvicultural activity has occurred in this area and is scheduled for future treatments. All future treatments should establish appropriate riparian management areas on the water courses. A small portion of this area is in the initial vegetation stage resulting from the salvage of merchantable woody debris from the deposition zone of a naturally occurring slide. No future harvesting activity is currently scheduled for the old forests in the upper portions of this creek according to the 1997-2001 International Forest Products Ltd. five-year resource management plan.

As indicated by the structural stages and species mixtures of the vegetation within the riparian management areas of Motormaster creek only time is required to aid in the establishment of vegetation and riparian function. This area has a low priority for specialist visitation and intervention.

Riparian segment 42 mostly consists of deciduous and mixed pole/sapling stands. No activity is planned to convert this area to conifer dominated stands. A portion of this riparian segment is covered by the road right-of-way. This structural stage results in the loss of stream shading and large organic debris inputs and impaired channel stability and nutrient filtering. All of these have a moderately to very high riparian functional value.

As indicated by the structural stages and species mixtures of the vegetation within the riparian management areas of Glacier creek this area has a moderate priority for specialist visitation and intervention.

Riparian segment 43 (Reach 1) contains young deciduous and coniferous forest resulting from 1920’s harvesting. The majority of the riparian vegetation falls within the young coniferous forest (YFc) and young deciduous forest (YFd) structural stages. The result is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability and nutrient filtering. Large organic debris inputs are very limited or lost throughout most of this area, since this portion of the creek is class S2 this lost riparian function has only a very high importance for fish habitat value. However, most of these stands have reached a stem size where they may act as large organic debris if entered into the creek channel. Natural break up and mortality of stems within this stand will begin first in the YFd stands but may not be at a significant rate for a few more decades. This area has a moderate priority for specialist site visitation and intervention.

Riparian segments 44 and 45 (Reach 2 and 3) contain a mixture of shrub dominated harvested areas, coniferous dominated pole/sapling stands as well as a few patches and individuals of old forest. Some of these areas have been juvenile spaced and are scheduled for pruning. The dominant structural stage is coniferous pole/sapling (PSc) resulting in impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability and nutrient filtering and lost large organic debris inputs. The small patches of old forest scattered throughout may lower some of the impacts of the lost large organic debris inputs. Three small open raveling side wall failures occur within this area and may be a small source of sediment input into the creek. These have some vegetated slope between the failures and the creek edge, thus, some sediment trapping may be occurring. This area has a low priority for specialist visitation and intervention.

As indicated by the structural stages and species mixtures of the vegetation within the riparian management areas of Gus creek most areas do not require intervention to aid in the establishment of vegetation. Currently, only time is required to re-establish aquatic-terrestrial vegetation dynamics and riparian function. However, Reach 1 and Reach 3 have moderate and low, respectively priorities for specialist visitation and intervention.

Riparian segment 46 (Reach 1) is dominated by young coniferous forests and deciduous pole/sapling stands. These structural stages result in lost stream shading, large organic debris inputs along with impaired channel stability and nutrient filtering. Difiore and Forrington (1997) found that lack of large organic debris and loss of channel stability has resulted in the loss of some spawning and rearing habitat. This area has a moderate priority for specialist visitation and intervention.

Riparian segment 47 (Reach 2) mostly contains young coniferous forest (YFc) in the lower portions. These areas are the oldest logged areas of the second pass harvesting in the Kwatna drainage. The result is impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability and nutrient filtering. Large organic debris inputs are very limited or lost throughout most of this area, since this portion of the creek is class S2 this lost riparian function has a very high importance for fish habitat value. However, most of these stands have reached a stem size where they may act as large organic debris if entered into the creek channel. Natural break up and mortality of stems within this stand may not be at a significant rate for a few more decades.

As indicated by the structural stages and species mixtures of the vegetation within the riparian management areas of 1.5-mile creek most areas do not require intervention to aid in the establishment of vegetation and riparian function. Reach 1, however, has a moderate priority for specialist visitation and intervention.

The harvesting history of the Kwatna mainstem and its tributaries has resulted in most of their riparian management areas being dominated by early and mid-seral structural stages. The pre-dominant structural stage in the lower portions of the valley is the young coniferous forest (YFc) while the upper portions of the Kwatna mainstem and most tributaries is dominated by coniferous pole/sapling stands (PSc). In both cases the result of this the loss of large organic debris inputs and impaired stream shading, small organic debris inputs, channel stability and nutrient filtering. In those rivers and creeks which are classified as S1 (Kwatna, lower Oakbeck , 12-mile, lower Slousiska) these features have low to moderate riparian function. As well, some of the loss of large organic debris is mitigated by the retention of small strips or scattered individual veterans along the channel edge in early riparian management attempts. The young forest are also reaching a stem size which would allow them to act as large organic debris if entered into the river or creek channel. Natural break up and mortality at significant rates within these stands, however, is estimated to be a few decades away.

In those creeks classified as S2 these lost and impaired riparian functions have moderately high to very high value. While some veterans have been retained as scattered individuals and small strips their input is probably not going to be enough to significantly minimize the loss or impairment of these riparian functions. As well, a large portion of the riparian areas along these creeks are dominated by the coniferous pole/sapling structural stage resulting in a long period of time before these stands reach a stem size where they can start to mimic later structural stages.

The results of this inventory indicate that the following areas require site visitation by a specialist and may potentially require intervention to aid in the re-establishment of riparian function. These areas are prioritized and estimates of length and time required to prepare descriptive and quantitative plots are provided.