LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE 1. Wolf Lick Creek 2. 3. U. S. D. A. Channelization- 9 11 Excellent Streambank Cover- 11 13 7. 8. 9. 10. Bank Erosion and Cave - In-- Green River - Bank Clearing; Trees Fallen Into Stream- Rolling Fork River Stream Channel Blocked by Debris- 13 ABSTRACT This study was designed to evaluate the current status of streambank cover as wildlife habitat. Field studies were conducted over a three-year period by boat and on foot. Some of the better streams in the state were selected for study. Standard record forms were used. Photographs in color and in black and white were taken to illustrate observations. A total of eighteen streams or sections of streams were surveyed, covering a distance of 218. 2 miles. Of this total, 89.5 miles (41.0%) was found to have been recently altered. Outstanding examples of good and bad practices were found. A survey questionnaire was sent to all county Conservation Officers to provide supplementary information on the streambank habitat in their respective work areas. Details are presented in table form. A total of sixteen major destructive practices were observed, which range from individual tree-cutting to strip-clearing to complete elimination of all cover adjacent to the stream. The greatest need, as indicated in this study, is for a "Stream Environment Concept": To develop a unification of purpose between the authorities, managers and users of streams, and to consider the channel, the bank cover and the adjacent watershed as a complex whole. Recommendations are made to aid in the implementation of a long range stream environment management program. |