8.0 PRSR 03-09-2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Floodplain Forest (4.43 acres) This landcover unit exists as a narrow ring around the property on the east,south and west sides. The unit can be divided into two distinct subunits: FF1 is the narrow strip along the western edge of the property and FF-2 is the wider strip along the south and east edges.These sub-units are approximate,and serve to better aid the discussion of the vegetation types on the property.They are roughly delineated on the map. FF 1 j 1 17 1 ,- FF-1 tFF-1 is a narrow unit on the west side of the property with both traditional silver maple dominated areas as well as areas dominated by green ash,hackberry,and black walnut.A north/south path runs alongside this unit and separates it from the neighboring hayfield and savanna units. Many of the individual trees are younger and are interspersed with older silver maples.A common measure of tree size and size distribution is a tree's diameter at breast height, or dbh. Hackberries on the site range in size from 5-39.5 cm dbh,though a larger individual (44.4 cm dbh) exists further into the grassland. Green ash individuals range from 11-42.6 cm dbh,while some larger black walnut trees (55.0, 65.9 cm dbh) are interspersed throughout. In some areas,silver maple dominates almost to the point of a monoculture (11.0-82.3 cm dbh),with some prickly ash and wood nettle in the understory. Moving from north to south along the bank,the City of Elk River has removed invasive shrubs in the northern portion of the unit.This is evidenced by large stumps of both honeysuckle and buckthorn,and by the open and relatively sparse remaining understory. In some areas,the only remaining woody plants are in a narrow belt right along the shoreline,though the unit itself may be considerably wider.Along the northern half of the unit,smaller riprap has been installed along the bank to prevent erosion (Photo 4). However,the lack of vegetation above the riprap line means that erosion could continue. Planting trees and shrubs in the removal areas is an important priority for this subunit. Further to the south,the silver maple cover increases and the unit widens somewhat(Photo 5). Beaver evidence is abundant in this area,though there is no sign of recent activity. Further south,the silver maple overstory dissipates and the bank becomes dominated with shrubs,both native and non-native. Honeysuckle, buckthorn and prickly ash make up the majority of individuals,and the vegetation slowly grades to an open,grassy bank further to the south.This area,where a bench overlooks the Elk River, has experienced more erosion,as the bank is higher than the water level and is not rip-rapped or vegetated other than with a cover of non- native grasses (Photo 6). Here,native vegetation could help prevent further erosion, though sight lines from the bench will likely need to be preserved. If time and money allow, other erosion control measures (log vanes, rock vanes, root wads,rip- rap, etc) can be considered. Friends of the Mississippi River Bailey Point Nature Preserve NRMP 36