Augur Creek RNA occupies an 888 ha tract in Lake County, Oregon. The topography of the natural area is generally gentle, and follows the southwest flow of Augur creek and other unnamed tributaries. However, steep slopes can be found in the northwestern section. A large wet meadow, separate from the Augur Creek drainage, is located in the southwestern portion of the tract. Elevations in the RNA range from 1,860 to 2,479 m. ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests, characterized by single story open groves, dominate most of the RNA, although grand fir (Abies grandis) is also present in some areas. The understory of the ponderosa pine forests includes pinemat manzanita (Arctostaphylos nevadensis), greenleaf manzanita (Arctostaphylos patula), Oregon grape (Mahonia repens), squaw currant (Ribes cereum), snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus) and strawberry (Fragaria). Mountain sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) can be found in the upper elevation ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests. Lodgepole pine and whitebark pine co-dominate the higher elevations of the RNA, covering 344 ha. Blue-leaved penstamon, a Forest Service sensitive species, covers 1-5% of the ground surface in this vicinity. In areas dominated by lodgepole pine alone, understory is quite sparse with the exception of long-stolon sedge, with up to 50% ground cover. Riparian zone vegetation occurs along creeks and in wet areas. Grazing takes place in the RNA with utilization levels below 20%. Bank erosion along creeks has occurred due to livestock use.

Township/Range/Section:

Section 12, parts of sections: 1, 11, & 13 in T35S, R16E. Sections: 7, 18, 17, 20, and parts of sections 19 and 21 in T35S, R17E.

Latitude:

42,33'N

Longitude:

120,46'

Quad Map:

Lee Thomas Crossing and Coffeepot Creek, Oregon 1966

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Sensitive plants: blue-leaved penstemon and green-tinged paintbrush

Exotic Species Present:

Exotic species, when found, were located in wet meadows and riparian zones where cattle grazing has occurred. Except for areas grazed by cattle, exotic species were clearly subordinate to native species. The exotic species are capable of invading wherever there is an open niche, which may result from small scale natural or human induced disturbance, or simply represent an unvegtated patch in an unfavorable site.

Plant Communities:

The 4 plant groups are: 1. Lodgepole pine/whitebark pine, lodgpole pine, and white fir/lodgepole pine forests (includes lodgepole pine-whiteabrk pine/gay penstemon association, lodgepole pine/squirreltail-long-stolon sedge associatoin, and white fir-lodgepole pine/long-stolon sedge-needlegrass association). 2. Ponderosa pine, white fir/ponderosa pine, white fir forests (includes : white fir-ponderosa pine/snowberry/starwort association, white fir-ponderosa pine/manzanita-Oregon grape association, mixed conifer/snowbrush, and ponderosa pine/wooly wyethia association. 3. Mountian big sagebrush and mountian-mahogany (includes: mountian big sagebursh and mountian-mahogany shurblands. 4. Riparian zone vegetation (includes: ponderosa pine/common snowberry-floodplain association, white fir/queencup beadlily association, willow/aquatic sedge association, short-beaked sedge association, and beaked sedge association.

Aquatic Features Present:

Aquatic habitats at Augur Creek RNA are represented in the riparian zones by creeks, springs and wet meadows. Many of the creeks and springs flow year round. The distinct riparian zones along the creeks contain a flora similar to that of the wet meadows. These aquatic habitats may provide breeding habitat for the Pacific treefrog and western toad as well as providing an important source of open water for a wide array of fauna.

Soils:

The residuum and colluvium of the bedrock has formed soils that are typic cryothents, ashy, shallow to moderately deep, and usually overlying buried residual soils. Soils are mostly poorly developed with no B horizon, and are poorly to moderately fertile. Drainage is generally good with permeability rapid to very rapid in the ashy soils, but moderate to slow in the residual soils.

Other Physical Features:

Past Disturbance History:

Evidence of fire is found throughout the area in the form of charcoal in the soils and many trees with burn scars. Grazing permitted in the RNA.

Other Comments:

Access by road and trail