Squaw Flat RNA occupies a 558 ha tract of land approximately 15 miles northeast of Tiller, Oregon. The RNA is situated along a tributary of the South Umpqua River called Jackson Creek. Elevations range from 533 m. to723 m. This natural area, which lies in the Douglas Fir Zone, is a good representative of southwestern Oregon mixed conifer forest. The area includes dry meadows, wet meadows, and many species of conifers. Douglas fir and ponderosa pine dominate the flat, dry area in the eastern portion of the RNA. Sugar pine, incense cedar and white fir are also present, and the understory includes Oregongrape, oceanspray, and poison oak. The gently rolling slopes of the western portion of the area are dominated by white fir or western hemlock. Understories on the slopes consist of sword fern, salal, Oregongrape and moss in the understory. There are several meadows in the RNA with deep soils and white oak growing around the edges. At least ten species of grass, as well and many forbs, rushes, and sedges grow in these meadows. The northern red-legged frog, the western pond turtle, the Cascades frog, and the sharp-tailed snake, all listed on the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife sensitive species list, have been found in the natural area.

Three permanent transects running across the meadow-forest ecotone have been established in the RNA. Trees, herbs and shrubs have been measured and sampled.

Township/Range/Section:

Parts of secs 9, 10, 11, 14, 15 and 16, T30S, R1E.

Latitude:

42,58N

Longitude:

122,40W

Quad Map:

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Exotic Species Present:

Cheatgrass brome (Bromus tectorum) is present.

Plant Communities:

Plant associations include: white fir-incense cedar/dwarf Oregon grape; Douglas fir-Oregon white oak/poison oak; Douglas fir/poison oak/bracken fern; white fir/poison oak; white fir/dwarf Oregon grape-salal; white fir/vine maple/vanillaleaf; Oregon white oak/woods strawberry; white fir-Douglas fir/Piper's Oregon grape; Douglas fir/wedgeleaf ceanothus; western hemlock/salal/Oregon oxalis; western hemlock/unclassified; and wetland. The area includes dry and wet meadows, as well as an array of southwestern Oregon mixed-conifer forest communities.

Aquatic Features Present:

Johnson Creek is partially within the area and Squaw Creek runs along the southwest border.

Soils:

The soils are generally deep, clay loams. Where slopes occur, there are more rocks and the soils are less deep.

Other Physical Features:

Past Disturbance History:

Fire scars appear on many trees. Fires prior to 1954 when fire suppression began.

Other Comments:

Access by road and trail