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Section 9 – Watershed Condition Summary
IntroductionThis section of the assessment publication is an attempt to summarize at a high level the most germane and significant information that has been collected, reviewed and analyzed in the context of watershed protection and enhancement goals under CALFED. Additionally, this reflects a summarization of stakeholder interests and their involvement in the assessment process. This was a process that identified the challenges, opportunities and desired outcomes as articulated by the those who participated in this process. Watershed protection and enhancement must be also viewed in the context of “source protection” in respect to water quality and quantity. Water is an important natural resource that requires actions to be taken to assure that the highest quality and quantity is maintained at its source – and this effort continues on to the point of usage. This context also supports multiple benefits that can be derived as it relates to the challenges associated with noxious weeds, erosion, fuels management, biodiversity and other areas that were a part of this assessment. FindingsImpactsThe following is a summation of high level findings related to the general condition of the Millerton area watershed and stresses placed upon the watershed and its resources: 1. A significant amount of development is planned in proximity or adjoining the Millerton area watershed. 2. There may be a significant demand for additional recreational resources within the watershed. 3. Downstream demand for surface water exceeds supply. 4. The unavailability of surface water in the watershed for domestic use places a great demand on groundwater sources. 5. Surface Water quality monitoring has diminished within the Millerton area watershed. 6. Groundwater quantity and quality may be on the decrease. 7. The condition of soils may impact the effect of surface water collection and percolation as it relates to ground water recharge capability. 8. Future land uses – in particular development may create impacts to biodiversity, habitat, wildlife corridors and water quality. 9. There has not been an active fuels management program in light of increased population within and adjoining the Millerton area watershed. 10. Noxious weeds are commonplace within the Millerton watershed – and may be creating an economic and environmental impact. Data Gaps1. The future impact of land-use activities – in particular development within and adjoining the watershed is not known. 2. There is no known active surface water quality monitoring program throughout the Millerton area watershed in which to obtain data. 3. There is no known active ground water quality and quantity monitoring program throughout the Millerton area watershed in which to obtain data. 4. The future impact to groundwater supply and quality within the Millerton area watershed is not known. 5. There is no source of data that addresses soil structure, composition, condition and its contribution to water quality/quantity and a healthy watershed. 6. There is no source of data that addresses erosion and sediment conditions within the watershed. 7. The true level of biodiversity, condition of habitat and the role that the watershed plays as a wildlife corridor between the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada range is not known. 8. The scope of noxious weeds and invasive vegetation within the Millerton area watershed is not fully known. ConclusionThis watershed assessment has as its outcome identified the primary interests and concerns for those stakeholders that have been involved in this process. Impressions expressed by individual stakeholders pertaining to the current condition of the watershed have invoked a significant amount of discussion among each other. The overall conclusion appears that the Millerton area watershed as a predominantly working landscape of rangeland and oak woodlands is relatively in good condition in comparison to other watersheds in the northern and central range of the Sierra Nevada foothill region. However because of the increase expansion of the Fresno/Clovis metropolitan area and significant developments planned on the north side of the San Joaquin River in Madera County – pressure will continue to increase – and place greater demand on the watershed in many respects. These include increased development into rural areas of the watershed, increased demand on recreational resources, and increased demand on limited resources – in particular ground water. Specific conclusions have been noted in each of the primary assessment Sections, (Sections 2 through 8). Thirty-two Recommendations based on their specific findings and conclusions have been listed in Section 10 which follows.
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