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Post Carr Fire Bioassessment Data Report, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County, California

Data Report 1201
Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1201

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Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, analyzed water and sediment chemistry, benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages, fish and amphibian assemblages, fish and invertebrate tissues, instream habitat characteristics, and sediment heterogeneity at 10 stream sites within Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County, California, during August 2020, 2 years after the Carr Fire. The post-Carr Fire data were compared to available pre-Carr Fire data to help determine if there have been wildfire-induced changes in the aquatic communities within the Whiskeytown National Recreational Area. Benthic sediment results for metals of biological concern were compared with consensus-based probable effect concentrations from previously published sediment-quality guidelines. Results from 2020 sampling indicated exceedances of these guidelines at one site for cadmium, chromium, copper, and zinc; there were exceedances of the guidelines at three sites for nickel. Concentrations of metals of biological concern in fish and invertebrate tissue samples generally varied among sites and years, with no pattern with specific reference to the Carr Fire. Average zinc and lead concentrations in composite invertebrate samples were slightly higher in 2020 than in previous years, and arsenic levels were lower in 2020 for invertebrate and fish tissues. Post-Carr Fire stream-habitat and sediment-size characterization values did not change substantially when compared to pre-Carr Fire values, or had high variation among all sites and years. Fish and amphibian inventories demonstrated that fewer total fish and amphibians were collected post-Carr Fire, but higher numbers of native Sacramento Sucker (Catostomus occidentalis) and Sacramento Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis) were collected than in previous years. The combined histories of mining and frequent wildfires in the area pose an increased risk for metal contamination throughout the aquatic system. Continued monitoring for multilevel trophic effects of contaminants can provide information about the overall health of the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area and surrounding region.

Suggested Citation

Wulff, M.L., Brown, L.R., and Violette, V.L., 2024, Post Carr Fire bioassessment data report, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County, California: U.S. Geological Survey Data Report 1201, 26 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/dr1201.

ISSN: 2771-9448 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgements
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results and Discussion
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Post Carr Fire bioassessment data report, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Shasta County, California
Series title Data Report
Series number 1201
DOI 10.3133/dr1201
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) California Water Science Center
Description Report: viii, 26 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State California
County Shasta County
Other Geospatial Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details