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Low water levels at Boundary Creek-Smith Creek
Wildlife Management Area |
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November 18, 2014 |
by Idaho Fish and Game
Visitors to the Boundary Creek-Smith Creek
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) near Bonners
Ferry have noticed that water levels across the
WMA are low this year. The lower than normal
water level is making trapping and waterfowl
hunting very difficult.
Three primary causes have contributed to the
lower than desired water levels. These include
the need to repair two broken water control
structures, lower than normal rainfall, and the
need to implement a vegetation management
practice known as moist soil management.
Properly functioning water control structures
normally allow WMA managers to fluctuate water
levels throughout the wetlands. However, two of
the control structures were not functioning
properly and needed repairs. For this work to be
completed, water levels across the WMA, and the
slough that carries and distributes water, had
to be drawn down. When the slough is drawn down,
ground water seeps out of the wetlands and
further lowers the water table and wetland
levels.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist Colleen Treese
manages the Boundary-Smith Creek WMA. According
to Treese, "Wetlands with stable water levels
often see a decline in emergent vegetation and a
loss of productivity over time. Therefore, the
long-term management plan for the area includes
drawing down each of the nine individual wetland
cells once every five years on a rotational
basis to increase productivity."
Periodic drawdowns of wetland areas expose
bottom sediments and generate aerobic
decomposition. The mudflats in a drawn down
wetland favor the germination of plants typical
of early marsh succession. Without drawdowns,
these plants are outcompeted by cattails.
Vegetation produced in drawdowns creates an
abundance of seed that is excellent food for
waterfowl, enhancing waterfowl habitat and use.
"The exposed mudflats and decomposition also
support abundant invertebrate populations that
provide important food sources for wildlife such
as waterfowl and shorebirds", said Treese.
"Water levels are then kept below full capacity
the following year to avoid over flooding the
new plant species so they can become
established."
With the wetland levels reduced to repair the
water control structures, Treese used the
opportunity to implement vegetation management
practices on several wetland cells.
Additional work included cattail control to
reduce monoculture stands of cattail. Treese
explained, "For effective cattail control, two
dry seasons are required. During the first
season, the cattails are dried up, mowed, and
burned to remove the old growth. The following
season, new growth is treated with herbicides to
kill the cattail. Once the cattail growth is
curtailed, a diversity of competing native
vegetation species are planted that may replace
the cattail."
The combination of factors left the water levels
on the WMA uncharacteristically low this fall.
However, important management actions have been
accomplished that will allow for better wetland
and waterfowl habitat into the future.
Idaho Fish and Game regrets any inconvenience
this has caused to the Boundary Creek-Smith
Creek Wildlife Management Area users, and thanks
everyone for their patience. Conditions
permitting, everyone should expect more normal
water levels and wetland conditions next year.
For more information regarding the
Boundary-Smith Creek WMA, please contact Colleen
Trese or J.J. Teare at the IDFG Panhandle Region
Office, 208-769-1414. |
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