Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report
Wilderness ID: 127
Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness
Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report
National Forest: Siskiyou National Forest
State: OR
Counties: Coos, Curry
General Location: South West Oregon
Acres: 27,211
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report
Wilderness ID: 127
Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness
Wilderness Categories
Information Specific to this Wilderness
Year Established
1978
Establishment Notes
Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978
Designation
Clean Air Act Class 2
Administrative
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Umpqua
Unique Landscape Features
Surrounding the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, the rugged and complex canyon
landscape of the Wild Rogue Wilderness provides watershed protection for the Wild
portion of the river. The area is characterized by steep terrain of near vertical cliffs, razorsharp ridges and cascading mountain creeks.
The lure of gold in the 1850's attracted a numbers of miners, hunters, stocker raisers and
subsistence farmers. Conflicts between white settlers and Native Americans culminated in
the 1855-56 Rogue River "Indian War." After their defeat, Native Americans were taken
to reservations. For settlers, life in the Rogue Canyon was difficult and isolated. Although
extensive gold mining operations took place, overall production was low. The remnants
of mining, such as pipe, flumes, trestles, and stamp mills can still be found.
While the Rogue River flows through the core of the Wilderness, legislation specifically
directed that it be managed under Wild and Scenic River direction. Because of this, there
are some activities and development, such as motorboat use and lodges, which would
normally not occur in a wilderness. The Rogue River is nationally known for its salmon
and steelhead fishing and whitewater rafting opportunities, both of which require permits.
Approximately 15 miles of the 40 mile Rogue River Trail #1160, a National Recreation
Trail, provides year-round hiker only access to the river corridor from Graves Creek
down to Big Bend near Illahe. The Panther Ridge Trail #1253 follows Panther Ridge
from Clay Hill to Buck Point along the upper elevation of the northern wilderness border.
A side trail provides access to the unique vista of Hanging Rock, which is a large rock
outcrop on a sheer vertical cliff. It provides excellent views into Eden Valley and the
Rogue River Canyon. Other outstanding views can be obtained from the Mt. Bolivar Trail
#1259 which provides access to the summit of Mt. Bolivar at 4,319 feet. The Mule Creek
Trail #1159, located on the Bureau of Land management portion of the wilderness,
provides a steep route on an out mining trail between the river and Panther Ridge. In
general cross country travel is not advised due to steep slopes and heavy vegetation.
Along the river you may see deer and otters, or even black bears looking for a meal of
salmon. Bears, grown accustomed to easy pickings from boaters, may prove a nuisance in
numerous campsites. Birds abound, such as fish eating osprey and great blue heron and
lizards hasten over the dry slopes above the water. Ticks and rattlesnakes are often
encountered. The river corridor is also excellent habitat for poison oak, whose stems and
shiny leaves in groups of three can be a problem throughout the year. Mosquitoes are
present during a good part of the season and yellow jackets can be a nuisance during the
typically hot, rainless summer days.
The Blossom Complex Fire, which occurred in 2005, resulted in damage to the Rogue
River Trail. At present time, a 2 mile portion of the trail, between Marial and Paradise
Creek, which initially had to be closed in 2005 to the spring of 2006, remains open. This
section of trail will be monitored and maintained on a yearly basis.
Lakebed Geology Sensitivity
N/A
Not reported in the database.
Lakebed Geology Composition
Visitor Use
Not reported in the database.
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Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report
Wilderness ID: 127
Wilderness Categories
Mean Annual Precipitation
Elevation Range
Mean Max Aug Temp
Mean Min Dec Temp
Lake Acres
Pond Acres
Lake Count
Pond Count
TES Flora
TES Wildlife
TES Fish
Ozone Sensitive Plants
Air Quality Sensitive Lichens
Cultural Resources
Status/Trends: Acid Deposition:
Status/Trends: Nutrient
Enrichment:
Status/Trends: Ozone Impacts:
Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness
Information Specific to this Wilderness
Not reported in the database.
34 - 1315 (meters)
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
1
Not reported in the database.
4
Adiantum jordanii, Bensoniella oregana, Encalypta brevicolla var. crumiana,
Leucogaster citrinus, Lewisia cotyledon var. howellii, Lobaria scrobiculata, Pinus
albicaulis, Scirpus pendulus, Smilax californica
Bald Eagle
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
Not reported in the database.
AQRV's
Fauna
Fauna Priority: Low
Fauna Receptor: Fish
Fauna Indicator: Concentration of methyl mercury
Fauna Trends: Not reported in the database.
Fauna Actions:
Collect resident fish and analyze for mercury. Concurrently, collect water quality samples.
Flora
Flora Priority: High
Flora Receptor: Lichens
Flora Indicator: Changes in community composition
Flora Trends: Not reported in the database.
Flora Priority 2: High
Flora Receptor 2: Lichens
Flora Indicator 2: Concentrations of N, S, P, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Ni, Ti, V and Zn
Flora Trends 2: Not reported in the database.
Flora Priority 3: Medium
Flora Receptor 3: Ozone
Flora Indicator 3: Visible injury on ozone-sensitive plants
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report
Wilderness ID: 127
Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness
Flora Trends 3: Not reported in the database.
Flora Actions:
Conduct repeat site visits to lichen plots, once every 10 years. Consider surveying vegetation, while on-site, for indications
of ozone injury.
Visibility
Visibility Priority: Medium
Visibility Receptor: Scenic Views
Visibility Indicator: Regional haze
Visibility Trends: Not reported in the database.
Visibility Actions
Nearest IMPROVE visibility monitoring site is KALM1 - near the Kalmiopsis wilderness.
Water
Water Priority: Medium
Water Receptor: Water Chemistry
Water Indicator: ANC
Water Trends: Not reported in the database.
Water Priority 2: Medium
Water Receptor 2: Water Chemistry
Water Indicator 2: DIN: TP
Water Trends 2: Not reported in the database.
Water Priority 3: Low
Water Receptor 3: Diatoms
Water Indicator 3: Community Composition
Water Trends 3: Not reported in the database.
Water Actions:
Consider collecting water quality samples, if fish are collected for mercury.
Challenge Points
Fauna Challenge Points: Not reported in the database.
Flora Challenge Points: 6
Total Plots: 2
Desired Plots: 1
Additional Plots Needed: -1
Data Type: Baseline
Round 1 Visits: 0
Round 2 Visits: 2
Baseline %: 166
Trends %: 0
Visibility Challenge Points: Not reported in the database.
Water Challenge Points: Not reported in the database.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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