Sand Lake RNA is located in Tillamook County, Oregon, and encompasses the terminal lobe of the parabola dune system at Sand Lake. The dune at Sand Lake RNA has a gentle slope, while the adjacent Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) forest to the east occupies steeper terrain. Elevations range from 61 m. to 207 m. Rover Creek, a low gradient, second order stream, lies within the natural area. The sand dune system and the Sitka spruce forest make up the two floral groups of the RNA. Within the dune system, dune bluegrass (Poa macrantha)/dune wildrye (Elymus mollis), Sitka spruce/salal (Gaultheria shallon) communities are found on unstablized sand, while red fescue (Festuca rubra) dune grassland is found in the more stable sand between the dune ridges. Dune forests, found in the southern tip of the area, are dominated by kinnikinik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and silver moss (Rhacomitrium canescens). The dominant forest plant association in the Sitka spruce forest surrounding the sand dune is Sitka spruce/Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis); however, there are also scattered occurrences of Sitka spruce/sword fern (Nephrolepis) association. This stand apparently originated after a catastrophic fire in the mid 1800's, and a few remnant western red cedar (Thuja plicata) snags with fire scars can be found near Rover Creek. The wetland community along the creek is described as red alder (Alnus rubra)-western red cedar/slough sedge (Carex obnupta)-skunk cabbage (Lysichitum). Of particular interest in this RNA is the northern dune front, which is advancing into the wetland. European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria) is moving into the RNA from the west. Scots broom (Cytisus scoparius) is found on the western edge along the roadside.

A transect of permanent plots monitoring the extent of European beachgrass has been established.

Township/Range/Section:

Parts of secs 5 and 8, T3S, R10W

Latitude:

45,19N

Longitude:

123,56W

Quad Map:

Sand Lake, OR, 1985 (7.5).

Threatened or Endangered Species:

A portion of the area is designated as Bald Eagle Habitat in the Forest Plan. The western pond turtle and red-legged frog are found in the area. The marbled murrelet may also inhabit the area, as well as the white-footed vole.

Exotic Species Present:

Scot's broom (Cytisus scoparius) is within the area, as is European beachgrass (Ammophila arenaria).

Plant Communities:

The forested area is mature Sitka spruce and western hemlock. The dune communities are dominated by red fescue (Festuca rubra) and beach bluegrass (Poa macrantha). RNA plant community cells filled are: native unstabilized dune grassland with dune bluegrass and dune wildrye, and Sitka spruce/salal community. Beaver activity has created slough sedge dominated wetlands and red alder dominated forested wetlands. Forested Plant Associations are: Sitka spruce/salmonberry-salal, Sitka spruce/swordfern, and shore pine/salal-western rhododendron. Non-forested and Wetland Community Types are: seaside bluegrass-lupine dune community, red fescue dune grassland, and red alder-western redcedar/slough sedge-skunk cabbage.

Aquatic Features Present:

Rover Creek flows for 1/2 mile through the forested portion of the area. The creek has been ponded by beaver activity creating slough sedge (Carex obnupta) dominated wetlands and red alder (Alnus rubra) dominated forest wetlands. This wetland and the stream channel to a lesser extent are being inundated by the advancing sand dune. The area fills the RNA cell for first to third order stream system not on coastal headland in Sitka spruce zone.

Soils:

The following soil types have been identified: Heceta Series (mixed, mesic Typic Psammaquents), Salander Series (medial, isomesic Typic Dystrandepts), Waldport Series (mixed, isomesic Typic Tropopsamments), and Winema Series (medial over clayey, mixed, isomesic Typic Dystrandepts). For more detail, see the Establishment Record.

Other Physical Features:

The area consists mainly of a parabola dune system. Dune forms present are: active parabola dune, stabilized dune ridge, active dune ridge, and sand blowout.

Past Disturbance History:

Other Comments:

Access by road