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Oklahoma Conservation Commission The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide i Oklahoma Conservation Commission Oklahoma City, Oklahoma James E. Henley USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Mark S. Harrison Oklahoma Conservation Commission The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide ii This publication, printed by Heritage Press of El Reno, Oklahoma, is issued by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission as authorized by Executive Director Mike Thralls, with funding through a grant from the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency. Two thousand copies were prepared at a cost of $10.78 each. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma State Department of Libraries. All programs and services of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Oklahoma’s Conservation Districts are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, marital status or physical disability. Suggested citation: Oklahoma Conservation Commission. 2000. The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide (James E. Henley and Mark S. Harrison, authors). Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma Conservation Commission 2800 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 160 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-4201 http://www.okcc.state.ok.us Copyright © 2001, Oklahoma Conservation Commission 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 160, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 iii Contents Acknowledgments ............................................................................................ iv Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 Closed Depression ............................................................................................ 9 Ames Closed Depression................................................................................. 10 Cimarron Terrace ............................................................................................ 14 Big Lake ........................................................................................................... 18 Forested Wetlands .......................................................................................... 19 Grassy Slough Hill Side Seep .......................................................................... 22 Little River National Wildlife Refuge .............................................................. 24 Red Slough WRP ............................................................................................ 28 Oxbow Lake .................................................................................................... 30 Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area ............................................................ 33 Red River Oxbow ............................................................................................ 34 Playa Lakes ..................................................................................................... 38 High Plains Playa ............................................................................................. 39 Arcadia Lake .................................................................................................... 42 Riparian Corridor .......................................................................................... 43 Beaver River Wildlife Management Area......................................................... 47 Cloud Creek .................................................................................................... 48 Fort Cobb State Park ....................................................................................... 53 Little Sahara .................................................................................................... 55 Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area ............................................................ 58 Swamp............................................................................................................. 62 Grassy Slough WRP ........................................................................................ 63 Little River National Wildlife Refuge .............................................................. 66 Appendix Ecoregions ......................................................................................................... v Major Land Resource Areas .............................................................................xx Glossary ......................................................................................................... xxvi Fauna ........................................................................................................... xxxii Flora ........................................................................................................... xxxvii References ................................................................................................... xxxix Index .............................................................................................................. xlii iv Acknowledgments This Wetlands Reference Guide for the State of Oklahoma is published by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An integral collaborator in this endeavor has been the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oklahoma. Technical descriptions were written by James E. Henley, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and editing, design, layout and all photography was done by Mark S. Harrison, Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Matthew Mercer, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Wetlands Program coordinator, assisted with final gathering of data and resources and grant coordination. All maps for this publication were generated by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission’s Geographic Information Systems division. Other agencies and organizations who have contributed to this publication include the following: Office of the Secretary of Environment, State of Oklahoma Oklahoma Biodiversity Task Force Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service Oklahoma Water Resources Board Oklahoma’s Wetlands Working Group University of Oklahoma Biological Survey U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special acknowledgment is deserved by the following individuals for their assistance in completion of this project: Bob Springer, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Shanon Haraughty, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Derek Johnson, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Wes Shockley, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Brooks Tramell, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Steve Tully, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Dwaine Gelnar, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Jennifer Lee Myers, Office of the Secretary of Environment Bruce Hoagland, Oklahoma Biological Survey and the University of Oklahoma And thanks to the staffs of Oklahoma’s local conservation districts and NRCS field offices for their assistance in accessing the wetland reference sites. 1 T T Introduction The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide has been developed to help a variety of users in identifying and understanding the ecology of the most common natural wetland types found in Oklahoma. It is the authors’ intention that this book provides natural resource professionals, educators and private landowners with a guide that can be used to evaluate changes in similar wetland types, measured against a common standard. This guide is not intended for use as a wetland delineation manual nor is it a substitute for wetland determinations performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The term “wetland” is an umbrella term, and includes marshes, swamps, bogs, playas and other areas that are wet enough to support hydrophytic vegetation. Wetlands represent a transitional zone between upland and deep water ecosystems, supporting rich biodiversity and providing unique habitat to many plants and animals (e.g., Odland, 1997; Barry et al., 1996; Bawa and Seidler, 1998). Therefore, wetlands are one of the most important ecological features on the landscape, providing benefits to humans and nature alike (e.g., Wakeley and Roberts, 1996; Killgore and Baker, 1996; Reedy et al., 1996). Wetlands often contain features common to upland and deep water ecosystems, and as a result may be difficult to recognize by the untrained eye. Wetlands exist in nearly every climatic zone and on every continent, except Antarctica (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). Estimates suggest that more than half of the wetlands nationwide have been lost since the mid-1800s, leaving approximately six percent of the Earth covered by wetlands today (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). In 1988 the U.S. Department of Interior determined that 87 percent of wetland conversion was due to agriculture, eight percent to urban development and another five percent for various reasons (Steiner et al., 1994). However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has attempted to reverse this trend. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) restored 915,000 acres of wetlands nationwide between October 1996 and July 2000 (NRCS, 2001). There are a wide variety of wetland types found across the state of Oklahoma. The climate tends to get warmer and wetter as one moves across the state from northwest to southeast. As a result, the predominant wetland type changes from playas in the panhandle to riparian areas and depressions throughout the prairies to the bald cypress swamps of McCurtain County in the extreme south-eastern corner of the state. In Oklahoma, as in many areas of the country, 2 T wetlands have been drained because of the perception that these lands offered no value. As a result, approximately 67 percent (1.9 million acres) of wetlands were removed from the landscape over the past 200 years (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). Both on nationwide basis and in Oklahoma, bottomland hardwood forests (BLH) have been especially hard hit. Estimated decreases in forested wetlands in LeFlore and McCurtain Counties suggest that approxi-mately 84 percent of BLH have been destroyed since 1960 (Brabander et al., 1985). The Oklahoma Conservation Commission has a variety of ongoing wetland projects to meet the goals and objectives of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation Plan, as do other agencies in the state wetland responsibilities or interests. Many of these projects receive funding through the Wetlands Program of the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6. The ultimate goal of each of the Conservation Commission’s projects is to “conserve, protect and restore the quantity and biological diversity of all wetlands in the state” (Oklahoma Conservation Commission, 1996) through education, demonstration and restoration. Definition of Wetlands There are many definitions of the term “wetlands” used in the United States, but most are fundamentally alike and generally address three elements — hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils. This manual follows the definition of wetlands used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This definition describes wetlands as: “Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar activities.” (33 CFR 328.3, {b}) The hydrology of a land area is a function of the frequency, duration and volume of saturation by water. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) defines hydric soil as: “A soil that is saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during growing season to develop anaerobic conditions that favor the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation.” (USDA Soil Conservation Service, 1985, as amended by the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils in 1986.) 3 H Hydrophytic vegetation is defined in the Corps of Engineers’ Wetlands Delineation Manual as: “The sum total of macrophytic plant life that occur in areas where the frequency and duration of inundation or soil saturation produces permanently or periodically saturated soils of sufficient duration to exert a controlling influence on the plant species present.” “A hydrophyte is any macrophyte that grows in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content.” To paraphrase, hydrophytic plants are those that grow and thrive in water or in soil that is wet or saturated to the point that it is at least periodically deficient in oxygen. Functions and Values of Wetlands Historically, wetlands were considered to be areas that should be drained for farming, residential, or industrial development. Wetlands were not consid-ered valuable resources and their complex ecological and hydrological functions were, for the most part, unrecognized. Only recently have wetlands been recognized as valuable natural resources that can provide important benefits to the public and the environment. The func-tions wetlands provide of direct benefit to humans and nature and the value of those functions will, of course, vary according to the type of wetland system and the season of the year. Wetland functions and values include the following: Water Quality Improvement: Wetlands have been referred to as the “kidneys of the landscape” because they often act as natural filters by decreasing contami-nant concentrations in the water column (e.g., White and Burken, 1998; Nairn and Mercer, 2001). Contaminants are removed by a variety of processes, includ-ing physical settling resulting from long retention times with low-velocity flows, uptake by hydrophytic vegetation, microbial action and reactions with the atmosphere (e.g., Buchberger and Shaw, 1995; Tanner, 1996). In fact, wetlands are commonly constructed explicitly for treatment purposes. For example, wetlands have been constructed in Oklahoma to treat acidic mine drainages by using bacterial processes to retain metals and increase buffering capacity. After treatment, the water was clean and supported a healthy ecosystem (Nairn et al., 2000). Flood Protection and Erosion Control: Wetlands can also function like a “sponge”, absorbing and retaining relatively large volumes of water, and then releasing it slowly over several weeks or months. By providing temporary storage of storm or snowmelt water, wetlands can decrease peak flows in receiving waters and lower 4 the energy in streams, resulting in reduced flooding and minimized damage downstream (Kleiss, 1996). In doing so, wetlands help protect adjacent and downstream property and reduce damage to roads, bridges and crops. In ripari-an areas, trees and other hydrophytic vegetation help slow the speed of flood waters and can absorb and dissipate the force of wave action, reducing erosion along streambanks and shorelines (Kumar et al., 1996). Groundwater Recharge and Discharge: Although not all wetlands recharge groundwater, some wetlands serve as a source in replenishing groundwater supplies, and vice versa (Gerla, 1999; Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). For example, approximately 31 percent of water supplied to a constructed wetland in the Florida Everglades recharged the groundwater beneath it (Choi and Harvey, 2000). Water that would otherwise end up in downstream rivers and lakes or evaporate into the atmosphere can percolate through the soil into aquifers. This is called infiltration. Infiltration rates are dependent on the condition of the soil beneath the wetland, the physical characteristics controlling pore space in the soil and the frictional resistance of the soil (Pierce, 1992). Wetlands that intercept an aquifer may serve as a site where groundwater is discharged to the surface. Because water tables can fluctuate with seasonal variations, some wetlands may recharge groundwater during dry periods and receive groundwater during wetter months (Hunt et al., 1999). Biological Habitat: Wetlands provide habitat for organisms ranging in size from large to microscopic, and contribute to the biological diversity and stability of the landscape as a whole (King and Brazner, 1999; Jurgensen et al., 1997). For example, migrating birds use wetlands as feeding, rearing and stopover sites (e.g., Naugle et al., 2000), while various invertebrates (e.g., Nordstrom and Ryan, 1996), amphibians (e.g., Lehtinen et al., 1999) and fishes (e.g., Faunce and Paperno, 1999) commonly utilize wetlands during all or part of their life cycle. The habitat needs of many wildlife species are found in wetlands, including shallow water for breeding and rearing of young and dense vegetation stands which provide food and shelter. Education, Recreation, and Aesthetic Values: Wetlands may serve as living, outdoor laboratories where unique plant and animal species can be observed. The principals of ecological systems such as energy flow, recycling, and carrying capacity can be studied first hand. Wetlands are often aesthetically pleasing, capable of evoking in humans a sense of wonder, and stirring an appreciation of nature as one witnesses a flock of ducks taking flight from a playa, a heron stalking its prey in an oxbow lake, or hears the sounds emanating from a swamp on a summer night. Wetlands provide endless opportunities for popular recre-ational activities such as hiking, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, photogra-phy, bird watching and swimming. 5 T Economic Values: The economic value of wetlands is substantial. A plethora of natural products of use to humans are to be found in various wetlands. Those with direct economic benefits include timber, fish and shellfish, wildlife, blue-berries, cranberries and wild rice. In fact, nearly all commercially harvested fish and shellfish and most recreational fish depend on wetlands for food and habitat during some part of their life cycle (Feierabend and Zelanzy, 1987). While the benefits of wetlands from fisheries and waterfowl are substantial, they pale in comparison to the economic benefits from wetland ecosystem functions such as groundwater recharge, flood control and protection, water quality improvement and erosion control (Costanza et al., 1997). Organizational Structure of This Guide This guide is intended to represent Oklahoma’s rich diversity of wetland types. The individual reference sites are organized into chapters by those types including riparian corridor wetlands, swamps, oxbow lakes, closed depres-sions, playa lakes, and forested wetlands. The fringe wetlands that occur along ponds and reservoirs are not included in this guide because they are not consid-ered naturally occurring and are not common to any specific geographic region. The location of each of the selected reference sites is provided at the beginning of the site description chapter. Location is given by latitude and longitude as well as by the legal description. Since over 90 percent of Oklahoma land is privately owned, many of these reference sites are located on private property and permission must be secured from the landowner in order to gain access. That notation, where applicable, is included in the location description para-graph. Other sites are on some type of public land, including federally-, state- or municipally-maintained property. The narrative provides a general description of the geomorphology, or land shape and characteristics. Each reference wetland is also described using indicators based on the jurisdictional wetland definition, i.e., vegetative community, hydrology (water sources, frequency and duration) and soil description. Photographs of soil profiles and important hydrologic indicators found both in and on the soil accompany those descriptive paragraphs, as well as a photograph of the stable vegetative community at the beginning of each site description chapter. Each reference wetland has classifications for soil type and wetland type. This section is intended primarily for natural resource professionals who might be called upon to perform wetland delineations, evaluations or inventory. The wetland type classification is from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, developed by Cowardin et al. (1979), and represents the type of classification one would expect to find in that wetlands inventory. 6 The soil classification was determined by the USDA-NRCS classification taken from Soil Taxonomy, Agricultural Handbook 436, United States Department of Agriculture, Second Edition (1999). An explanation, in lay person’s language, of the terminology used in these classifications is not possible within the scope of this publication. Instead, the interested lay person is referred to consult those two resources directly. Landform descriptions are given using both the Ecoregion and Major Land Resource Area organizational systems. A Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) is a unit characterized by similar patterns of soil, climate, water resources, land use, geology, elevation and topography. The MLRA classification system is predominantly utilized by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and soil scientists. The Ecoregion approach is a similar regional characterization system based on natural communities, geology and land use, as mapped by J.M. Omernik (1987), and is used primarily by water resource professionals. More detailed descriptions of Ecoregions and MLRAs are to be found in the appendix. A brief statement is made about water quality typically found in the type of site represented, followed by a description of common landuse. Finally, wetland dependent wildlife communities common to the ecoregion of each site are listed. Many of the amphibians found in the wetlands described in the text can be found sporadically throughout the wetlands of Oklahoma. At times these amphibians can be found in extremely high densities, typically during the late winter though early spring. However, some species are fall breeders and will congregate during those months before the extreme winter conditions set in. Many species are omitted from the text due to their infrequency in those habitats and the secretive nature of their behavior, making them difficult specimens to find. Assumptions are made about the quality of the habitat. For example, many additional amphibian species may be found if carnivorous fish species are not living in those same waters. Only the most common species found or easily observed, whether through calls or visual observations, are mentioned. Literature relating to the more infrequently found species and their habitats can be found in A Field Guide to Amphibians of Oklahoma, published by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. A partial glossary of terms used in this guide is included at the end of this book along with a list of references for further reading. Tables of common and Latin names for animals and plants — fauna and flora — are included as well. Wetland Types Riparian Corridors (Zones) are on low, frequently-inundated flood plains. Riparian corridors are found in the central and western parts of Oklahoma. As they are 7 O frequently flooded, they have saturated soils associated with high water tables. Vegetation is typically composed of rushes and sedges with an overstory of willow, cottonwood, and tamarisk. Swamps, Bogs, and Marshes are on low, frequently-inundated flood plains, most commonly in the southeastern part of the state. Soils are saturated and surface water stands far into the growing season. The understory vegetation is typically rushes and sedges with an overstory of bald cypress, overcup oak, and willow oak. Oxbow Lakes are old river and stream channels that have been cut off from the main channel. These oxbows have shallow to deep water that is typically devoid of woody vegetation. Green ash and willow line the banks of these areas, and submergent and floating leaf aquatic plants are found in the water. Unlike closed depressions, these areas are seldom dry. Closed Depressions are found throughout the state where soil deposited by wind or water has blocked drainage patterns. They often have high water tables and seasonally pond water for long durations, but may not hold water in dry years. The depressions are usually vegetated with cattails, smartweeds, and barnyard grass, with an overstory of willow and buttonbush. Playa Lakes are found only on the high plains of the Oklahoma Panhandle. These are depressional areas that have no outlets and seasonally pond water for long durations during years with high rainfall. These areas are commonly vegetated with woollyleaf bursage and smart weed. Forested Wetlands are found on frequently-inundated flood plains in the eastern third of the state. They have soils saturated by high water tables that remain at or near the surface for long periods. Vegetation is typically rushes and sedges with an overstory of pin oak, Shumard oak, bur oak and green ash. Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation Plan Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation Plan offers an overview of Oklahoma’s wetlands and their future conservation. It pro-vides the state with a focused strategy for identifying, understanding, managing, and enjoying one of Oklahoma’s most versatile natural resources. The plan identifies issues that are unresolved and the limitations on wetland data and science. The need for a state wetlands strategy is indicated by an awareness that responsi-bility for wetland conservation and management in Oklahoma are shared among local, state, tribal and federal agencies, as well as private entities such as 8 conservation organizations, corporations, landowners and other interest groups. No agency or group has been given either the exclusive mandate or resources to adequately protect wetlands. Wetlands conservation and management may be accomplished only through the continued, cooperative efforts of these groups and individuals. The plan emphasizes that through discussion, information exchange, cooperation and sharing of resources, a coordinated approach to wetland management can be accomplished. The plan recognizes that without willing cooperation from private landowners there is little hope of long-term success for wetland protection. The plan promotes a voluntary approach to wetland management that uses education, technical assistance and incentives to bring the private sector into wetland management as a willing partner. “The goal of the state of Oklahoma is to conserve, enhance and restore the quantity and biological diversity of all wetlands in the state.” 9 Closed Depressions are found throughout the state where soil deposited by wind or water has blocked drainage, or where wind has removed soil forming a depression. They often have high water tables and seasonally pond water for long durations, but may not have standing water in dry years. Closed depressions are usually vegetated with cattails, smartweeds and barnyard grass, with an overstory of willow and buttonbush. Wetland Type: Closed Depression 10 Location. The Ames Closed Depression is found on an ancient, wind-reworked alluvial terrace deposited by the Cimarron River. It is five miles south and two and one-half miles west of Drummond on Highway 132. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 36° 13' 48". Longitude: 98° 04' 24". Legal: SE NE NW NE Sec 8 T20N R8W. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands typically found in depressional areas within hummocky sandy terraces on major rivers throughout northwestern parts of Oklahoma. These depressions are formed when windblown sediments block the outlets of drainage ways or wind has created blowouts in sandy materials. These wetlands are typically round to oval in shape and range from 0.1 acre to 100 acres in size. These wetlands are cyclical in nature. During wetter cycles they maintain almost permanent water and dry up completely during drought cycles. They are hydrologically influenced by the adjacent surrounding uplands and shallow groundwater that percolates rapidly Ames Closed Depression Closed Depression Site Garfield County 11 through the sandy soils and is perched on the clayey materials at the base of the depressions. These wetlands are often farmed and are an important source of water for livestock and wildlife. Vegetative Community. These wetlands are associated with seasonal surface and subsurface water, resulting in a mixture of rushes, sedges, shrubby, woody vegetation and annuals that become established as water evaporates along the shoreline zone. Typically vegetation is dominated by a herbaceous layer that consists of sedges, cattail, smartweed, water primrose and bulrush. Cocklebur, curly dock and sumpweed become established as water evaporates and mud flats are exposed. Inland salt grass and alkali sacaton are perennial grasses that become established where groundwater has higher salinity. Hydrology. This wetland type is influenced by seasonal accumulation of surface water from rainfall and by groundwater perched on clayey subsoil strata and moving laterally through the area. Groundwater tables range from above the surface to 2 feet below the surface. These wetlands typically dry up during late summer months and are recharged in late fall through early spring. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are a depleted or gleyed matrix and redox concentrations in the form of soft masses in the upper subsoil. This wetland type commonly has a dark surface layer that is high in organic matter and contains few to common redox concentrations. Many of these wetlands have developed under recent changes in hydrologic conditions and may not exhibit any redoximorphic characteristics. This is particularly common to wetlands that develop in soils with red parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of thin layer of muck (0.5 to 2 inches) and partially decomposed roots of plants in the upper 20 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Carwile soil series is the hydric soil on this reference wetland. Carwile soils are formed in depressional areas where wind blown sandy material is deposited over clayey soil materials on the highest terrace levels of large river systems in the northwestern part of the state. These soils typically have dark brown loam or fine sandy loam surface layers over gray clay subsoils. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. 12 Soil Profile A1: 0 to 10 inches, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) loam; moderately fine granular structure; common (5%) yellowish red (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations in the form of soft masses; many very fine and fine roots. B1t: 10 to 18 inches, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) clay; moderately fine blocky structure; many (35%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations in the form of soft masses and many (20%) gray (10YR 5/1) redox depletions; extremely hard, very firm; many fine and medium roots. B2t: 18 to 20 inches, light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) sandy clay loam; moderate medium blocky structure; many (30%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations in the form of soft masses and many (40%) gray (10YR 6/1) redox depletions; coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A. Soil: Fine, mixed, superactive, thermic. Typic Argiaquoll. Landform Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Prairies (80A). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent croplands generally make their water quality unreliable for uses other than for livestock. Landuse. Because these wetlands typically go dry during some part of the year, most areas have been farmed or retired to improved pasture. When these wetlands are cropped they are typically used for winter wheat production. Many areas have been planted to improved Bermuda grass pasture. In some areas these are the only sources of livestock water available and provide seasonal water usage. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, 13 blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, bullfrog, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, golden shiner, red shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, smallmouth buffalo, common carp and longnose gar, spotted gar, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish. 14 Ciimarrrron Teerrrraccee Closed Depression Cyclical Wetland Site Logan County Location. This reference wetland is found on a sandy alluvial terrace three miles west and one-half mile north of Crescent on Dover Road. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. The reference site is the location of a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service hydric soil monitoring station that records water table depths and redox potential over time. Latitude: 35° 57' 57". Longitude: 97° 39' 32". Legal: NW SE SE NE Sec. 7 T17N 4W. General Description. This site represents wetlands typically found on depressional areas within hummocky sandy terraces on major rivers throughout the central parts of Oklahoma. These depressions are formed when windblown sediments block the outlets of drainage ways or wind has blown out depressions in sandy materials. These wetlands are typically round to a long, narrow oval in shape, ranging from 0.1 acre to 200 acres in size and are cyclical in nature. During wetter cycles they maintain almost permanent water and dry up completely during drought cycles. These wetlands are often farmed and are an 15 important source of livestock and wildlife water. Vegetative Community. These wetlands are associated with seasonal surface and subsurface water. Vegetation is a mixture of rushes, sedges and shrubby, woody plants and annuals that become established as the water evaporates in the shoreline zone. Typically, vegetation consists of an overstory of black willow and cottonwood with a shrubby layer of buttonbush. The herbaceous layer consists of sedges, rushes, cattail, bulrush, smartweed, cockle burr, water primrose, curly dock, sumpweed, mud plantain, water hyssop and broadleaf duck potatoes. Hydrology. This wetland type is influenced by seasonal accumulation of surface water from rainfall and from groundwater that is perched on clayey subsoil strata and moves laterally throughout the area. Groundwater tables range from above the surface to 4.0 feet below the surface. They are hydrologically influenced by surface runoff from the adjacent surrounding uplands and shallow groundwater that percolates rapidly through the sandy soils. These wetlands typically dry up during the later summer months and are recharged in the late fall through early spring. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are many redox depletions with many redox concentrations in the form of iron stains and coatings on sand grains. This wetland type commonly has a darkened surface layer and contains common to many redox concentrations and depletions within the surface layer. Many of these wetlands have developed under recent changes in hydrologic conditions and may not exhibit any redoximorphic characteristics. This is particularly common to wetlands that develop in soils with red Pleistocene age parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres and partially decomposed roots of plants that give a characteristic charcoal appearance in the upper 20 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Bocox soil series is the hydric soil on this reference wetland. Bocox soils are formed where wind blown sandy material is deposited in depressional areas blocking drainage outlets. Subsurface water perches on more clayey layers and surface infiltration is slowed. These soils typically have a brown loamy fine sand surface layer and brownish yellow to reddish yellow subsurface and subsoil layers. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. 16 Soil Profile A1: 0 to 12 inches: brown (10YR 5/3) loamy fine sand; weak, very fine granular structure; many (20%) strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) redox concentrations in the form of iron stains and coatings, many (40%) grayish brown (10YR 5/2) redox depletions; few very fine and fine roots; slightly hard, very friable; clear wavy boundary. E: 12 to 20 inches; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) loamy fine sand; single grain structure; common (10%) strong brown redox concentrations in the form of iron stains and coatings; slightly hard, loose; few fine and medium roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A. Soil: Loamy, mixed, thermic, aquic. Arenic Hapludalf. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Prairies (80A). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantities for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent croplands generally make their water quality undependable for domestic uses other than livestock water. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for crop production, pasture, rangeland, and livestock water. Because these wetlands typically go dry during some part of the year, most areas have been farmed or planted to improved pasture, often in Bermuda grass. When these wetlands are cropped they are typically used for winter wheat production. Some areas are the only source of livestock water available and provide seasonal usage. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western 17 ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Bullfrog, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, golden shiner, fathead minnow, bullhead minnow, red shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, longnose gar, spotted gar, smallmouth buffalo, common carp. 18 Forested Wetlands are found on frequently-inundated flood plains in the eastern third of the state. They have soils saturated by high water tables that remain at or near the surface for long periods. Vegetation is typically rushes, sedges, parsley leaf hawthorn, spicebush and giant cane with an overstory of oaks, hickory and green ash. Wetland Type: Forested Wetlands 19 Location. This reference wetland is a portion of the Verdigris River system. It is located one-half mile south of Verdigris in Rogers County. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 36° 12' 47". Longitude: 95° 41' 25". Legal: SW SW NW SW Sec 14 T20N R15E. General Description. This site represents wetlands that border rivers and streams throughout the northeastern part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on the back side of broad stable flood plains. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland land form is characterized by a series of oval to oblong depressional areas between slightly higher (less than 0.5 feet) ridges of less clayey materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are near the surface during the winter and early spring. Big Lake Forested Wetlands Site Rogers County 20 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of black willow, pin oak, green ash, bitternut hickory and pecan, with an understory of sedges and broadleaf uniola. When disturbed, these areas convert to willow or cottonwood thickets with an understory of smartweed, sumpweed and cockleburs. Hydrology. The water sources for these wetlands are groundwater tables and frequent floods of variable duration. High water marks and debris lines at a four to six foot height are common on trees near larger rivers. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are often fluted. Water tables range in depth from the surface to 1.5 feet below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the winter and early spring. Subsurface water typically moves through the large cracks and structural components of the clay soils. These areas typically have surface layers of less clayey materials near channel banks that are slightly higher and more well drained. Water-stained leaves are found in the depressional areas that pond water the longest. Hydrologic Indicators. Because these soils have abundant organic carbon and are dark colored, hydrologic indicators in the soil profile are difficult to observe. Primary hydrologic indicators are 5 to 20 percent redox concentrations (both iron and manganese) in the upper eight inches of the soil profile. The number of redox concentrations increase with depth, ranging from 10 to 30 percent in the 8- to 20-inch zone. Below 20 inches, these soils have a gleyed matrix. Depressional areas have water-stained leaves and the tree trunks are buttressed. Soil Description. The Osage soils series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Osage soils formed in clay sediments deposited on flood plains from out-of-bank flooding. The depositional materials that form this soil are brown sediments from shales of the Pennsylvanian geologic age. These soils typically form in back slough positions of the flood plains. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 9 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) clay; strong fine blocky structure; few to common (5%) dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4) redox concentrations, many fine and medium roots matted at the surface. B2: 7 to 20 inches, dark gray (10YR 4/1) clay; strong medium blocky structure; common (15%) strong brown (7.5YR5/6) redox concentrations on ped faces; few medium and course roots. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Vertic Endoaquoll. 21 Landform. Ecoregion: Central Irregular Plains (40). MLRA: Cherokee Prairies (112). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables do not produce enough water for domestic purposes. Landuse. This wetland type is used for improved pasture, cropland, and nut production. Many areas are sufficiently drained so that limited row crop production can occur. When adequately drained these areas are considered prime farmland. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland, rangeland or improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed, grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common, goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, bullhead catfish, channel catfish, common carp, smallmouth buffalo, longear sunfish, log perch, slough darter, golden shiner. 22 Grassy Slough Hill Side Seep Forested Wetlands Site McCurtain County Location. This reference wetland is located one-half mile north and three-quarters of a mile west of Pollard in McCurtain County. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 33° 48' 06". Longitude: 94° 44' 22". Legal: NE SW SW Sec 6 T9S R25E. General Description. This site is representative of wetlands bordering small streams throughout the southeastern part of Oklahoma, typically on hill sides adjacent to narrow flood plains. This wetland is characterized by narrow bands of seeps and springs on the toe slopes of steep sandy uplands. Groundwater tables are at the surface during the late fall through early summer. These wetlands are very narrow, but may extend for long distances. Individual areas range from 1 acre to 10 acres in size. Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of willow oak, blue beech, American holly and Hercules club with an understory of several species of fern, jack in the pulpit and sphagnum moss. 23 Hydrology. The water source for these wetlands is a groundwater table that forms numerous seeps and springs. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are fluted. Water tables range in depth from the surface to 1 foot below, with the highest levels occurring during the fall through early summer. Subsurface water typically moves throughout the soils. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are partially decomposed organic layers up to 16 inches thick and a gleyed matrix. These soils stay so wet they develop few redox concentrations. Soil Description. There are no recognized soils series for the soil on this wetland type. It is associated with the Iuka soils. These soils formed in loamy sediments deposited through the downward creep of soil materials from the upper slopes of sandy uplands. Soil Profile O: 0 to 3 inches, black (10YR 2/1); partially (30%) decomposed organic material; structureless. A1: 3 to 6 inches, dark gray (10YR 4/1); fine sandy loam; weak, fine granular structure; few, fine (<2%) strong brown (7YR 4/6, 5/6) redox concentrations; weak, fine granular structure; many medium roots in surface matte. E1: 6 to14 inches, gray (10YR6/1) loamy fine sand; structureless; few (1%) strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) redox concentrations on ped face; few medium course roots. E2: 14 to 20 inches, light gray (10YR7/1) loamy fine sand; structureless; few strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) redox concentrations. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Undetermined Landform. Ecoregion: South Central Plains (35). MLRA: West Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes, but the dependability and quality of water are insufficient for human consumption. Landuse. This wetland type is often used for woodland or livestock production. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization and pasture grasses established. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for improved pasture, cropland or woodland. 24 Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, western slimy salamander, many-ribbed salamander, four-toed salamander, slimy salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, complex, green treefrog, bird-voiced treefrog. Fish: Various catfish, mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe top minnow, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, spotted bass, grass pickerel. 25 Location. This reference wetland is a portion of the Little River stream system. It is located five miles south and one mile east of Broken Bow in McCurtain County. This reference location is on the Little River National Wildlife Refuge. Latitude: 33° 57' 05". Longitude: 94° 43' 03". Legal: Sec 8 T7S R25E. General Description. This wetland type borders rivers and streams throughout the southeastern part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on broad, stable flood plains and low terraces. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland landform is characterized by depressional areas between slightly higher (less than 0.5 feet) mounds of less clayey materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are at the surface during the winter and early spring. Little River National Wildlife Refuge Forested Wetlands Site McCurtain County 26 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of overcup oak, Nuttall oak, water oak, willow oak and water hickory with an understory of sedges and rushes. Hydrology. The sources of water for these wetlands are frequent floods of short to long duration and groundwater. High water marks and debris lines are common on trees near larger rivers. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are fluted. Water tables range in depth from above the surface to 1 foot below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the winter through early summer. Subsurface water typically moves throughout. These wetlands often have areas with surface layers of less clayey materials that are slightly higher and more well drained. Water-stained leaves are found in the depressional areas that pond water the longest. Wind thrown trees are commonly observed in these wetland areas. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 25 to 60 percent redox concentration (both iron and manganese) in the upper 15 inches of the soil profile. The manganese usually occurs as large segregations rather than in concretion form. There are common 5 to 20 percent redox depletions within 15 inches of the surface. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres and water stained leaves. Redox depletions usually increase with depth ranging up to 60 percent in the 15 to 20 inch layer. Soil Description. The Guyton soils series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Guyton soils formed in loamy and clayey sediments deposited on flood plains from out-of-bank flooding. The depositional materials that form this soil are sediments of Cretaceous geologic age. These soils developed under closed canopy overstory of bottomland hardwoods. Soil Profile O: 0 to 1 inches, dark brown (7.5YR 3/2) silt loam with 60 percent partially (30 percent) decomposed organic matter. A1: 1 to 5 inches, brown (7.5YR 5/4) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; many (40%) reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6) and reddish brown (5YR 4/4) redox concentrations and common light gray (7.5YR 6/1) redox depletions; many fine and medium roots. B1: 5 to 15 inches, reddish brown (5YR 4/4), reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6) and light gray (7.5YR 6/1) silty clay loam; weak fine granular structure; common to many (15%) manganese concentrations on ped faces; common medium and coarse roots. B2: 15 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR 4/4) silty clay loam; 27 massive, structureless; few to common (10%) yellowish red (5YR5/6) redox concentrations on ped faces; many partially-decomposed roots below 16 inches having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C. Soil: Fine-silty, siliceous, active, thermic. Typic Glossaqualf. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes, but the dependability and quality of water are insufficient for human consumption. Landuse. This wetland type is frequently used for timber production. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization and pasture grasses established. Some areas are sufficiently drained so that limited crop production can occur. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for improved pasture or forestland. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, western slimy salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, green treefrog, four-toed salamander, many-ribbed salamander, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, spotted bass, pygmy sunfish, cypress darter. 28 Reed Sllough WRP Forested Wetlands Site McCurtain County Location. This reference wetland is a portion of the Pushmatena Creek stream system. It is located three and a half miles east of Harris in McCurtain County. This reference location is on private property. No access without permission. Latitude: 33° 44' 15". Longitude: 94° 40' 10'. Legal: SW, SE, SW, Sec 26 T9S R25E. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands border rivers and streams throughout the southeastern part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on depressional areas of broad stable flood plains. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland land form is characterized by a series of depressional areas between slightly elevated (less than 0.5 feet) ridges of less clayey materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are near the surface during winter and early spring. 29 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of water oak, willow oak, overcup oak, water hickory with an understory of sphagnum moss and dwarf palmetto. Hydrology. The water sources for these wetlands are frequent floods of short to long duration and groundwater tables. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are fluted. Water tables range in depth from the surface to 1 foot below, with the highest levels occurring during winter and early spring. Subsurface water typically moves through the large cracks and structural components of the clay soils. These areas often have surface layers of less clayey materials near channel banks that are slightly higher and more well drained. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 15 to 30 percent redox concentration (both iron and manganese) and 25 to 40 percent redox depletions in the upper 6 inches of the soil profile. The abundance of redox concentrations and depletions increase with depth, with redox depletions increasing up to 50 percent in the 6- to 20-inch zone. Soil Description. The Tuscumbia soils series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Tuscumbia soils formed in clayey sediments deposited on flood plains from out-of-bank flooding. The depositional materials that form this soil are brown sediments from the Pleistocene geologic age. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 6 inches, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silty clay loam; strong, fine blocky structure; common (20 to 25%) reddish brown (5YR 4/3, 4/4) redox concentrations and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) redox depletions; many fine and medium roots. B: 6 to 20 inches, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silty clay loam; moderately fine blocky structure; many (30 to 50%) reddish brown (5YR 4/4) redox concentrations and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) redox depletions on ped faces; few medium to coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Fine, mixed, nonacid, thermic. Vertic Equiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: South Central Plains (35). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables do not produce enough water for domestic purposes. 30 Landuse. This wetland type is often used for timber and many areas are sufficiently drained so that limited crop production can occur. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland or pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, slimy salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, slimy salamander complex, green treefrog, bird-voiced treefrog, four-toed salamander, many ribbed salamander, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, spotted bass, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, pygmy sunfish, pirate perch. 31 Wetland Type: Oxbow Lake Oxbow Lakes are old river and stream channels that have been cut off from the main channel. The cutoff channels are most often on large bends, giving the wetland a characteristic oxbow or horseshoe shape. Most of the oxbow lakes in Oklahoma are less than seven feet in depth and, unlike closed depressions, are seldom dry. These wetlands remain stable until new floods force the river to move back to its original course, or cuts out the end that has blocked the drainage. 32 Okmullgeeee Wiilldlliiffee Manageemeentt Arreea Oxbow Site Okmulgee County Location. This reference wetland is on a portion of the Deep Fork of the Canadian River system. It is located three and one-half miles west and two and one-half miles north of Okmulgee on the Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area. This reference wetland location is on state property. Latitude: 35° 39' 28" Longitude: 96° 02' 19". Legal: SE SE NW SE Sec. 28 T14N R12E. General Description. This site represents wetlands that occurs primarily on river systems like the Deep Fork River where floods have created new river channels, cutting off the original channel. The cut off channels are most often on bends, giving the wetland a characteristic oxbow or horseshoe shape. Most of the oxbows in the Deep Fork system are less than 3 feet in depth and are sometimes dry in late summer. These wetlands are generally stable, but sediment loading from large flood events may decrease their overall depth. The wetland ranges in size from 10 acres to over 100 acres. 33 Vegetative Community. These wetlands are most often associated with open water and most of the vegetation occurs along the shoreline zone. Typical vegetation consists of an overstory of green ash and black willow. Hydrology. This wetland receives most of its water from surface runoff. The contributing drainage area has a low slope gradient, and runoff enters the system slowly. Ground water tables are influenced by the level of the river and groundwater moves through large pores that form the faces of the soil structural units. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are a gleyed matrix below 8 inches and many redox depletions and redox concentrations in the upper 8 inches of the soil profile. Some of these wetlands are recent in age and may not show any redoximorphic characteristics. This is most common to those wetlands that are recent in age or have developed in soils with red parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of thin layer of muck (1/2 to 2 inches) and partially decomposed roots of plants in the upper 10 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Ustibuck soil series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Ustibuck soils are formed in clayey sediments that are deposited on low gradient backwater areas of flood plains on large stream systems. Because water stands nearly motionless for long periods, the clayey sediment has time to settle out in thick layers of clays with thinner strata of loamy and sandy materials. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. Soil Profile A: 0 to 8 inches, reddish brown (5YR 3/4) clay; moderate very fine blocky structure; many fine and medium roots; many (40%) medium and coarse yellowish-red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations and many (45%) coarse gray (5YR 6/1) redox depletions. B: 8 to 20 inches, gray (5YR6/1) clay; moderate medium blocky structure; common coarse roots; common fine and coarse yellowish-red (5YR 5/8) redox concentrations on ped faces. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PFO1C, PFO1A, PEM1A. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Ustic Epiaquert. Land Form Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (118B). 34 Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent cropland generally make their water supply undependable for domestic uses. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock water and recreation. The adjacent areas are typically used for woodland or when adequately drained are used for corn or soybean production, improved pasture or alfalfa hay. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), American coot, sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, fish crow, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, midland water snake, northern water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Bullfrog, barred tiger salamander, smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, green frog, plains leopard frog, southern leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, slough darter, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, log perch, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, smallmouth buffalo, common carp, river carpsucker, freshwater drum, bullhead minnow, red shiner, golden shiner. 35 Location. This reference wetland is along the Red River. It is six miles south and three and one-half miles west of Idabel on Highway 259. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 33° 48' 29.78". Longitude: 94° 53' 19.19". Legal: NE NE NW Sec 3 T9S 23E. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands occurring primarily on the lower Red River drainage system where floods have created new river channels, leaving the original channel cut off. The cutoff channels are most often on large bends, giving the wetland a characteristic oxbow or horseshoe shape. Most of the oxbow lakes in Oklahoma are less than seven feet in depth. These wetlands remain stable until new floods force the river to move back to its original course, or cuts out the end that has blocked the drainage. The wetland ranges in size from 10 acres to over 100 acres. Red River Oxbow Oxbow Site McCurtain County 36 Vegetative Community. These wetlands are most often associated with open water and most of the vegetation is found along the shoreline zone. Typically vegetation consists of an overstory of green ash and black willow with an understory of buttonbush, cutgrass, water primrose and hibiscus. Hydrology. This wetland receives its water from surface runoff. The contributing drainage area has a low gradient and runoff enters the system slowly. Sediment accumulation in this wetland is influenced by the landuse of the adjacent areas. Most areas are row cropped, delivering a large sediment load into these wetlands. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are gleyed matrix and redox depletions in the upper profile. Many of these wetlands are recent in age and may not exhibit any redoximorphic characteristics. This is most common in those wetland that develop on soils with red parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of thin layer of muck (1/2 to 2 inches) and partially decomposed roots of plants in the upper 10 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Roebuck soil series is the principal hydric soil in this wetland type. Roebuck soils are formed in clayey sediments that are deposited on low gradient backwater areas of flood plains on large river systems. Because water stands nearly motionless for long periods, the clayey sediment has time to settle out in thick layers of clay with thinner strata of loamy and sandy materials. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 1 inches, very dark reddish gray (5YR 2.5/1) silty clay muck; structureless; many very small fragments of decomposed plant parts. A2: 1 to 8 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) clay; moderate very fine blocky structure; many fine and medium roots. B: 8 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/3) clay; moderate medium blocky structure; common coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C. Soil: Fine, smectic. Aeric Epiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent crop lands generally 37 make their water supply undependable for domestic uses. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock water and recreation. The adjacent areas are typically used for corn or soybean production, improved pasture or alfalfa hay. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, slimy salamander complex, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, bullfrog, bird-voiced treefrog, green treefrog, four-toed salamander, many-ribbed salamander. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, grass pickerel, pygmy sunfish, pirate perch. 38 Wetland Type: Playa Lakes Playa Lakes are found only on the high plains. They are depressional areas that have no outlets and seasonally pond water for long durations during years with high rainfall. These areas are commonly vegetated with woollyleaf bursage, smartweed, western wheatgrass and curly dock. 39 Hiigh Pllaiinss Pllaya Playa Site Texas County Location. This reference wetland is located one-half mile north and two miles east of Tyrone. This reference wetland is on private property; no admittance without permission. Latitude: 36° 56 ' 09" Longitude: 101° 03' 06". Legal: SW SW Sec. 31, T6N R19E CM. General Description. This site represents wetlands occurring in depressional basins within broad, nearly level landscapes in the High Plains MLRA. These wetlands are part of very stable hydrologic system that has small amounts of new sediment added to them. These wetlands rely on surface accumulation from rain or snowfall for their source of water. Playa wetlands are generally oval in shape and range from one to several hundred acres in size. Typically water depth is no greater than 60 inches although some may have depth greater than 8 feet at maximum capacity . Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on this wetland type are woollyleaf bursage, smartweed, western wheatgrass and curly dock. 40 Hydrology. This wetland type is influenced by seasonal accumulations of surface water from rainfall and/or snowfall. Because the climatic conditions are characterized by sporadic precipitation, these wetlands are cyclical in nature. They may function as wetlands for several years and then remain dry for an extended period. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators are few fine, common redox concentrations and depletions in the upper 12 inches of soil material. The redox depletions are found on the structural faces of the soil peds. These soils are high in organic matter making the indicators difficult to observe. Soil Description. The Randall series is the principal soil on this wetland type. Randall soils formed in clayey, high plains sediments that were deposited slowly in large depressional areas. The depositional materials that formed this soil are from local sediments deposited slowly over time. These soils have formed on some of the oldest and most stable landscapes in the high plains. Soil Profile A: 0-16 inches, black (10YR 2/0) clay; very strong fine and medium blocky structure; common fine (15%) reddish brown (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations, few (3%) coarse white (10YR 7/1) redox depletions on the surface of peds as stripped silt grains; upper 2 inches of horizon have soft consistency while remainder is hard to very hard. C: 16-20 inches, very dark grayish brown (10YR 4/1) clay; moderate medium blocky structure; few (2%) very fine yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations and few (<2%) manganese concentrations. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1A, PEM1C. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Ustic Epiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: Western High Plains (25). MLRA: Southern High Plains (77A). Water Quality. These wetlands are too cyclical in nature and do not contain water in sufficient quality or quantity for dependable domestic usage. Land Use: These wetlands are typically plowed and planted, most commonly with small grains and grain sorghum. Many of these wetlands have been developed into tail water pits where surplus irrigation water is collected. Although these wetlands have had their vegetation drastically disturbed, minimal impact on their hydrology occurs because of quick recovery of original functions during wet cycles. 41 Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Red bat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested, cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, red-breasted merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, sora, American coot, sandhill crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, black-necked stilt, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, snowy owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, red-eared turtle, spiny softshell turtle, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake. Amphibians: Barred tiger salamander, Woodhouse’s toad, plains leopard frog. Fish: *Mosquitofish, red shiner, golden shiner, fathead minnow, bullhead minnow. *The intermittent nature of this wetland type may not provide sufficiently stable hydrologic conditions for a well developed fish community. As a result, existing fish populations may be limited to low succession species, which are typically short lived and highly adaptable to constantly fluctuating water levels. 42 Riparian Corridors (zones) are found in the central and western parts of Oklahoma on low, frequently-inundated flood plains. They have saturated soils commonly associated with high water tables. Vegetation is typically rushes and sedges with an overstory of willow, cotton-wood and tamarisk. Wetland Type: Riparian Corridor 43 Location. This reference wetland is on the north side of Arcadia Lake. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, water supply and recreation, the lake area is maintained by the city of Edmond. Latitude: 35° 38' 52". Longitude: 97° 23' 33". Legal: SW NE Sec. 35 T14N R2W. General Description. This wetland represents sites commonly is found in the sediment-choked, small drainage area, narrow streams in the Cross Timbers MLRA. These wetlands are recent in age, many being less than 100 years old. The influx of sediment keeps the vegetative community in a constant state of regeneration. These wetlands are long and narrow in shape and individual areas range from 5 to over 100 acres in size. Vegetative Community. The vegetation typically found on these sites are black willow, buttonbush, spike rush, and cattails. When disturbed, these areas quickly convert to willow, green ash or cottonwood thickets with an understory of smart weed, sump weed and cockleburs. Arcadia Lake Riparian Corridor Site Oklahoma County 44 Hydrology. The primary water sources for this wetland type are seasonal floods and subsurface water tables. Most floods last less than one day, with depressional areas ponding water for over a week. Many of the stream channels have been filled with sediment, leaving a characteristic braided-stream pattern. Water tables range in depth from surface level to 3 feet deep, with the highest water tables occurring during early spring months of March, April and May. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators are common redox concentrations in the upper six inches. These redox concentrations are both iron and manganese and are most commonly observed in close proximity to partially decomposed organic materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Partially decomposed roots and stems that have the appearance of charcoal is frequently seen in this soil. Hydrologic indicators are difficult to observe or may be absent when the sediments have been recently deposited. Soil Description. The Tribby soil series is the principal soil on this wetland type. Tribby soils formed in loamy to sandy sediments deposited on floodplains from adjacent eroded uplands. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of the Permian geologic age. Soil Profile A: 0-6 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/3) fine sandy loam; weak granular structure; few (<5%) fine yellowish red (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations; many fine and coarse roots. C: 6-20 inches, yellowish red (5YR 4/6) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; few (<5%) fine faint yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, nonacid, thermic. Oxyaquic Udifluvent. Landform Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Cross Timbers (84A). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes but the quality is insufficient for human consumption. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock grazing. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization, and improved pasture grasses like 45 Bermuda grass and fescue are established. The areas adjacent to these soils are mostly forested with a post oak/blackjack oak community. Adjacent areas are also grazed with very little crop production in close proximity. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), American coot, sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, fish crow, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, midland water snake, northern water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Bullfrog, barred tiger salamander, smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, green frog, plains leopard frog, southern leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, brook silverside, inland silverside, freshwater drum, smallmouth buffalo, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, shortnose gar, spotted gar, common carp. 46 Location. This reference wetland is found on the Beaver River. It is located on the west side of the low water crossing on the west side of the Beaver River Wildlife Management Area. Latitude: 36° 49' 34". Longitude: 100° 42' 02". Legal: SW NW Sec. 9 T4N R22E CM. General Description. This site represents wetlands formed under stable fluvial conditions but affected by more intensive land uses since settlement. The removal of the native plants, overgrazing and cultivation have resulted in wind erosion, filling most of the original wetland with over a foot of sandy deposition. The loss of riparian vegetation has also contributed to stream channel erosion that has increased the sediment deposition. The result has been a narrowing of the original wetland areas, often less than 250 feet wide. Vegetative Community. The vegetation commonly associated with these sites include an overstory of tamarisk, sandbar willow, peach-leaf willow and cottonwood with an understory of three square bulrush, curly dock, pale dock, Beeaveerr Riiveerr Wiilldlliiffee Manageemeentt Arreea Riparian Corridor Site Beaver County 47 western wheatgrass, prairie cordgrass, canary grass, and torrey rush. When disturbed, these sites severely erode, leaving bare sand vegetated by cocklebur, cottonwood and tamarisk. Hydrology. The hydrologic sources for these wetland are frequent floods and subsurface water. Most flooding is of short duration. The water table is influenced by sandy dune fields typically found on the north side of these stream systems. The depth to the water table ranges from the surface to three feet and is generally present in the late winter through late spring. Stream channels are not well defined and typically exhibit a braided pattern. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators are common redox concentrations in the upper 6 inches of the soil. These redox concentrations commonly occur as coating on sand grains. Below a depth of 1 foot both redox concentrations and depletions are present and are often associated with buried surface horizons which have higher organic matter concentrations. Secondary indicators observed at the site are partially decomposed roots that have a characteristic charcoal appearance. In areas where the deposition of sediment is recent, hydrologic indicators may be absent. The presence of an apparent water table with a depth less than one foot can be observed at periods throughout the year. Soil Description. The Sweetwater soil series is the principal soil on these wetland sites. The soil described at the reference site is more similar to the Gracemore soil series. These soils formed in sandy sediments of Pleistocene geologic age, deposited by a combination of wind and water. Soil Profile A: 0-5 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/4) loamy fine sand; weak very fine granular structure; many (30%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations as coatings on sand grains. C1: 5-12 inches, strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) fine sand; structureless; common (10%) faint reddish yellow (5YR 6/6) redox concentrations as coatings on sand grains; common partially decomposed roots. C2: 12-20 inches, pale brown (7.5YR 5/2) fine sand; structureless; many (40%) reddish yellow (5YR6/8) redox concentrations as coatings and many (60%) redox depletions as stripped sand grains; water table present at 14 inches; few partially decomposed roots. 48 Classifications Cowardin: PEM1A, PEM1C. Soil: Fine-loamy over sandy or sandy skeletal, mixed, calcareous, thermic. Fluvaquentic Haplaquoll. Landform. Ecoregion: Southwestern Tablelands (26). MLRA: Southern High Plains (77E). Water Quality. The water quality on these wetlands is suitable for domestic livestock and wildlife but generally not suitable for human consumption. Land Use. The principal land use associated with this wetland is livestock grazing. Because during most years these wetlands produce more lush forage than surrounding areas, the concentration of animals can quickly result in overgrazing and severe erosion problems. Some areas of this wetland have been established in improved pasture, but there is very little crop production because of the flood hazard. Wetland Dependant Wildlife Species Mammals: Red bat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, red-breasted merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, sora, American coot, sandhill crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, black-necked stilt, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, snowy owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, red-eared turtle, spiny softshell turtle, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake. Amphibians: Barred tiger salamander, Woodhouse’s toad, Bullfrog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, mosquitofish. 49 Cloud Creek Riparian Corridor Site Washita County Location. The Cloud Creek Riparian Corridor Wetland represents sites on stream systems in southwestern Oklahoma. It is five miles east and four miles south of Cordell on Highway 152. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 35° 14' 13". Longitude: 98° 54' 44". Legal: NE SW SE Sec 20 T9N R16W. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands occurring primarily on small drainage systems in erosional uplands in southwestern Oklahoma. The continual influx of sediment results in poorly-defined channels and a vegetative community that is in a constant state of regeneration. Many of these areas have been converted to crop production and/or livestock grazing, but a rising water table, due to channel siltation, tends to convert these areas to a natural wetland state. These wetlands are typically long and narrow in shape, and range from 10 to more than 100 acres in size. 50 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of black willow, tamarisk and cottonwood with a sparse understory of cattails and sedges. When disturbed by cultivation or sedimentation, these areas convert to willow or cottonwood thickets with an understory of smartweed, sumpweed and cockleburs. Hydrology. These wetlands receive their water from surface runoff. The contributing drainage area has a low gradient and runoff enters the system slowly. Sediment accumulation in this wetland type is influenced by land use of the adjacent areas. Row crops are typically planted, producing a substantial sediment load into these wetlands. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 10 to 40% black (5YR 2.5/1) organic stains on faces of peds and few (5%) yellowish-red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations (both iron and manganese) in the upper 8 inches of the soil profile. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Another commonly observed indicator is the presence of many partially-decomposed plant materials (roots and stems) in the lower part of the soil profile having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Where sediment has recently been deposited, hydrologic indicators may be absent or difficult to observe. Non-decomposed plant parts below 6 inches in the soil profile indicate that sediment is recent. Soil Description. The Retrop soil series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Retrop soils formed in loamy and clayey sediments deposited on flood plains from adjacent erosional uplands. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of Permian geologic age. These soils are recent in age, many developed since statehood. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 1 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) silt loam; weak, very fine granular structure; few (less than 5%) faint yellowish-red (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations; many fine and very fine roots (matted). A2: 1 to 7 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) very fine sandy loam; weak, fine granular structure; many (40%) black (5YR 2.5/1) organic stains on ped faces; few coarse and many medium and fine roots. B: 7 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/4) very fine sandy loam; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; few faint dark red (2.5YR) redox concentrations; few medium and coarse roots. 51 Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C. Soil: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, calcareous, thermic. Oxyaquic Udifluvent. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Plains (78C). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but shallow depth and runoff from adjacent crop lands generally make an undependable water supply for domestic uses. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock water and recreation. The adjacent areas are typically used for corn, soybean or alfalfa hay production, or as improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Blanchard’s cricket frog, plains leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish. 52 Location. This reference wetland is located near Fort Cobb Lake on a golf course. Latitude: 35° 10' 47". Longitude: 98° 26 ' 35". Legal: NE SE Sec 10 T8N R12W. General Description. This site represents wetlands found in sediment choked, narrow streams with small drainage areas. These wetlands are recent in age, many less than 100 years old. The influx of sediment keeps the vegetative community in a constant state of regeneration. These wetlands are generally long and narrow in shape, and range from 5 to 75 acres in size. Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of black willow with an understory of arrowhead, rice cutgrass, Pennsylvania smartweed and scouring rush. In areas that pond water, the sites may be dominated by cattail and lotus. When disturbed, these areas convert to willow or cottonwood thickets, with an understory of smartweed, sumpweed and cockleburs. Fort Cobb State Park Riparian Corridor Site Caddo County 53 Hydrology. Frequent seasonal floods and subsurface water tables provide water for these wetlands. Most floods are of short duration, often lasting less than 24 hours. Depressions within this wetland type may pond water for greater than a month. Stream channels within this wetland are generally filled with sediment and are characterized by a braided stream pattern. Water tables are present during the late winter, early spring and summer and range in depth from the surface to a depth of 3 feet below the soil surface. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 15 to 60% redox concentration (both iron and manganese) in the upper eight inches of the soil profile. Some profiles have few 2 to 5% redox depletions within 20 inches of the surface. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Another commonly observed indicator is the presence of many partially decomposed plant materials (roots and stems) in the lower part of the soil profile having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Where sediment has recently been deposited, hydrologic indicators may be absent or difficult to observe. Indications that sediment is recent include non-decomposed plant parts below 6 inches in the soil profile. Soil Description. The Gracemont soil series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Gracemont soils formed in loamy sediments deposited on flood plains from adjacent erosional uplands. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of Permian geologic age. These soils are recent in age. Soil Profile A1: 0-4 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/4) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; many (60%) reddish yellow (5YR5/6) redox concentrations; many fine and medium roots. A1: 4-8 inches, dark brown (7.5YR 4/2) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; many (15%) redox concentrations (manganese) on faces of peds; many fine and medium roots. C: 8-20 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/4) very fine sandy loam; massive; few (<5%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations on ped faces; many partially decomposed roots below 16 inches having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, thermic. Oxyaquic Udifluvent. 54 Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Prairies (80A). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes, but the dependability and quality of the water make it insufficient for human consumption. Land Use This wetland type is usually used for livestock production. In some cases these areas become drained as a result of stream channelization after which pasture grasses are established. Some areas are sufficiently drained to allow limited crop production. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland, rangeland or improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, plains leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum. 55 Little Sahara Riparian Corridor Site Woods County Location. This reference wetland is located one-quarter mile north of the Cimarron River bridge on the east side of State Highway 281. This reference wetland is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 36° 30' 36". Longitude: 98° 52' 58". Legal: SW SE Sec. 26 T24N R16W. General Description. This wetland represents those found on large rivers and major tributaries in the Central Rolling Red Plains. These wetlands are recent in age and have formed under unstable conditions. Recent depositions of sediment, by both wind and water erosion, have blocked drainage and created the depressional areas that define these wetlands. These wetlands are characteristically found on the back side of flood plains and are long and narrow in shape. Vegetative Community. The vegetation on these wetlands are characteristic of recently developed, emergent wetlands with torrey rush, three square bulrush, spike rush, water primrose, buttonbush and switch grass dominating the area. 56 When overgrazed or disturbed those areas become dominated by spike rush. Hydrology. The water source for these wetlands are frequent, short duration floods and subsurface water. Flooding fills the depressions while the availability of subsurface water is affected by the degree of stratification of depositional soil materials. The most consistent water tables are associated with clay strata that help perch the water near the surface. Water table depth ranges from the surface to 1 1/2 feet deep with the highest water tables occurring during the early spring months of March, April and May. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators found in this wetland are common redox concentrations occurring as manganese stains with few faint iron redox concentrations. The surface layer is high in organic matter streaking of organic matter into the underlying horizon is common. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres in the upper 4 inches of soil. This wetland commonly ponds water and the water table ranges from 6 to 12 inches below the surface from spring through early summer. Soil Description. The Ezell series is the principal soil in this wetland type. Ezell soils formed in sandy sediments of the Pleistocene geologic age. These sediments have been deposited by both water and wind on the major river systems through the central rolling red plains. The surface layer of this soil is high in organic matter. These soils have sandy subsurface layers that are often stratified with more clayey textures. Soil Profile A: 0 to 5 inches, black (7.5YR 2/1) loamy fine sand; weak very fine granular structure; many (20%) manganese redox concentrations. C1: 5 to 14 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/6) loamy fine sand; massive; few (2%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations; water table at 14 inches. C2: 14-20 inches, strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) fine sand; massive; structureless. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A. Soil: Sandy, mixed, thermic. Aeric Fluvaquent. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Plains (78C). 57 Water Quality. The water quality on these sites is insufficient for human consumption, generally containing too many total dissolved solids. Land Use. This wetland type is typically used for livestock grazing. Some areas have been drained and used for improved pasture and limited crop production, but frequent floods and deposition of sediment makes crop production impractical for most areas. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, plains leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, brook silverside, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum. 58 Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area Riparian Corridor Site Okmulgee County Location. This reference wetland is on a portion of the of the Deep Fork of the Canadian River system. It is located three and one-half miles west and two and one-half miles north of Okmulgee on the Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area. This reference wetland location is on state property. Latitude: 35° 39' 28" Longitude: 96° 02' 19". Legal: SE SE NW SE Sec. 28 T14N R12E General Description. This reference wetland is representative of areas bordering the Deep Fork River and its main tributaries in the east central part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on the back side of broad flood plains and on depression or concave surfaces. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland land form is characterized by a series of oval to oblong depressions, separated by slightly higher (less than 0.5 feet) ridges of sandy soil materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are near the surface during the winter and early spring. 59 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of green ash, pecan, Shumard oak, pin oak, bur oak, elm, and black willow with an understory of broadleaf uniola, sedges, and wild rye. When disturbed, these areas convert to black willow and green ash with an understory of sedges and annual grasses such as green spangletop. Curly dock and cocklebur are common in abandoned cropland areas. Hydrology. The water source for these wetlands is provided by frequent floods of short to long duration and ground water tables. Water tables range in depth from above the surface on ponded areas to 2 feet below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the winter and early spring months. Subsurface water typically moves through the large cracks and between the structural units of the clay soils. These areas often have sandy surface layers near channel banks that are slightly higher and more well drained. Hydrologic Indicators. These soils have formed in red parent materials from the Permian geologic period. Hydrologic indicators in the soil are often faint or absent. Where visible, the primary hydrologic indicators are 5 to 35 % redox concentrations (both iron and manganese) and redox depletions within 8 inches of the surface. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Another commonly observed indicator is the presence of partially decomposed plant materials (roots and stems) in the soil profile that have a characteristic charcoal appearance. Other indicators are the presence of water stained leaves in depressional areas that pond water for the longest periods of time, and fluted and buttressed tree trunks. High water marks and debris lines at the four to six foot level are common on trees near larger rivers. Soil Description. The Ustibuck soil series is the principal hydric soil series that forms this wetland type. Ustibuck soils formed in clay sediments deposited on depressional areas of flood plains where fine silts and clay sediments have had time to filter out. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of Permian geologic age. These soils have developed under a steady influx of sediments and are recent in age. They typically have dark, reddish brown clay surface layers and reddish brown subsoils. The presence of redox features depends on the age of the soils and the duration of saturation. 60 Soil Profile A1: 0 to 8 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR3/3) clay; strong fine granular structure; hard, firm; many fine and medium roots. B: 8 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR 4/4) clay; moderate medium and fine blocky structure; extremely hard, very firm; many (30%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations and many (35%) reddish gray redox depletions; common medium and coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A, PEM1C. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Ustic Eqiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Arkansas Valley and Ridges (118B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables do not produce enough water for domestic purposes. Water tables are seasonal and the groundwater often contains excessive salinity. Landuse. This wetland type is often converted to livestock production. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization and diking, and pasture grasses are established. Some areas are sufficiently drained so that limited crop production can occur. When cleared or diked areas are abandoned, green ash, cottonwood, black willow, curly dock, smartweed and annual grasses predominate. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland, rangeland or improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), American coot, sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, fish crow, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, midland water snake, northern water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown 61 snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Barred tiger salamander, smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, plains leopard frog, southern leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, common carp, smallmouth buffalo, freshwater drum, river carp sucker, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, slough darter. 62 Wetland Type: Swamp Swamps, Bogs, and Marshes are forested habitats on low, frequently-inundated flood plains in the southeastern part of the state. Soils are saturated and surface water stands well into the growing season. The understory vegetation is typically rushes and sedges, with an overstory of bald cypress, overcup oak, and willow oak. 63 Grassy Slough WRP Swamp/Emergent Marsh Site McCurtain County Location. This reference wetland is located one mile west and one-half mile north of Pollard in McCurtain County. This reference location is on private property that is protected by a permanent easement through the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP); no access without permission. Latitude: 33° 48' 06". Longitude: 94° 44' 22". Legal: NW SE SE NW Sec 6 T9S R25E. General Description. This site represents wetlands found on small streams in the Western Coastal Plains MLRA in the southeastern part of Oklahoma. They typically are on lower flood plains. These wetlands are very stable when left undisturbed, but any alteration of the vegetation, surface drainage or land use on adjacent areas can quickly affect them by increasing the sediment load and restricting surface and subsurface flow rates. This wetland landform is characterized by narrow bands of flood plains that dissect the adjacent sandy and loamy uplands. Groundwater accumulation is from infiltration through adjacent uplands and low gradient flow through the flood plain itself. 64 Groundwater tables are at or above the surface during most of the year. Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an emergent shrub/scrub community of alder with a herbaceous community of tearthumb, smartweed, rice cutgrass and water primrose. These areas have a shrub layer of buttonbush. Hydrology. The water sources for these wetlands are surface water that enters the stream system from numerous small local watersheds and ground water that has infiltrated the adjacent upslope areas, and from numerous seeps and springs. Water tables range in depth from 3 feet above the surface to 6 inches below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the fall through early summer. Subsurface water typically moves throughout the soils. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are a thin muck surface layer and gleyed subsurface layers with common to many redox concentrations. These soils contain few to many (5 to 30%) redox concentrations in the mineral portion, distributed on structural faces of soil peds. Soil Description. The Bibb series is the principle hydric soil found on these wetland areas. These soils formed in sandy and loamy alluvial sediments deposited on flood plains from the adjacent erosional uplands. These soils have thin muck layers overlaying dark brown fine sandy loam mineral surface layers and gray fine sandy loam subsoil layers. The alluvial materials that form these soils are brown sediments of the Cretaceous geologic age. These soils are recent in age. Soil Profile O: 0 to 1 inch, very dark gray (10YR 3/0) decomposed (>80%) organic material; structureless. A1: 1 to 14 inches, dark brown (7.5YR3/4) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; many (30%) strong brown (7YR 4/6, 5/6) redox concentrations on structural faces of soil peds; soft, very friable; many fine roots in surface matte. C1g: 6 to 14 inches, gray (5Y5/1) fine sandy loam; weak coarse subangular blocky structure; common (5%) strong brown (7.5YR 5/ 6) redox concentrations on faces of soil structural units; soft, very friable; few medium course roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A, PFO1C, PFO1A. Soil: Coarse-loamy, siliceous, active, acid, thermic. Typic Fluvaquent. 65 Landform. Ecoregion: South Central Plains (35). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes. Landuse. This wetland type is often used for livestock grazing, timber and wildlife habitat. Areas are sometimes drained by clearing and channelization, and pasture grasses such as Bermuda grass are established. The frequent flooding restricts the use of these soils for crop production. There is some limited pine in areas where there have been adequate drainage measures installed. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are also commonly used for woodland or wildlife habitat. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, slimy salamander complex, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, many ribbed salamander, four-toed salamander, green treefrog, bird-voiced treefrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, brook silverside, blackspotted topminnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, alligator gar pirate perch, grass pickerel, bowfin. 66 Little River National Wildlife Refuge Swamp/Marsh Site McCurtain County Location. Th
Object Description
Description
Title | OK_Wetlands_Reference_Guide |
OkDocs Class# | C4700.5 W539r 2001 |
Digital Format | PDF, Adobe Reader required |
ODL electronic copy | Downloaded from agency website: http://www.ok.gov/okcc/documents/OK_Wetlands_Reference_Guide.pdf |
Rights and Permissions | This Oklahoma state government publication is provided for educational purposes under U.S. copyright law. Other usage requires permission of copyright holders. |
Language | English |
Full text | Oklahoma Conservation Commission The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide i Oklahoma Conservation Commission Oklahoma City, Oklahoma James E. Henley USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Mark S. Harrison Oklahoma Conservation Commission The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide ii This publication, printed by Heritage Press of El Reno, Oklahoma, is issued by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission as authorized by Executive Director Mike Thralls, with funding through a grant from the U.S. Enviromental Protection Agency. Two thousand copies were prepared at a cost of $10.78 each. Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma State Department of Libraries. All programs and services of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and Oklahoma’s Conservation Districts are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, marital status or physical disability. Suggested citation: Oklahoma Conservation Commission. 2000. The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide (James E. Henley and Mark S. Harrison, authors). Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma Conservation Commission 2800 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 160 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105-4201 http://www.okcc.state.ok.us Copyright © 2001, Oklahoma Conservation Commission 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 160, Oklahoma City, OK 73105 iii Contents Acknowledgments ............................................................................................ iv Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1 Closed Depression ............................................................................................ 9 Ames Closed Depression................................................................................. 10 Cimarron Terrace ............................................................................................ 14 Big Lake ........................................................................................................... 18 Forested Wetlands .......................................................................................... 19 Grassy Slough Hill Side Seep .......................................................................... 22 Little River National Wildlife Refuge .............................................................. 24 Red Slough WRP ............................................................................................ 28 Oxbow Lake .................................................................................................... 30 Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area ............................................................ 33 Red River Oxbow ............................................................................................ 34 Playa Lakes ..................................................................................................... 38 High Plains Playa ............................................................................................. 39 Arcadia Lake .................................................................................................... 42 Riparian Corridor .......................................................................................... 43 Beaver River Wildlife Management Area......................................................... 47 Cloud Creek .................................................................................................... 48 Fort Cobb State Park ....................................................................................... 53 Little Sahara .................................................................................................... 55 Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area ............................................................ 58 Swamp............................................................................................................. 62 Grassy Slough WRP ........................................................................................ 63 Little River National Wildlife Refuge .............................................................. 66 Appendix Ecoregions ......................................................................................................... v Major Land Resource Areas .............................................................................xx Glossary ......................................................................................................... xxvi Fauna ........................................................................................................... xxxii Flora ........................................................................................................... xxxvii References ................................................................................................... xxxix Index .............................................................................................................. xlii iv Acknowledgments This Wetlands Reference Guide for the State of Oklahoma is published by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. An integral collaborator in this endeavor has been the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Oklahoma. Technical descriptions were written by James E. Henley, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and editing, design, layout and all photography was done by Mark S. Harrison, Oklahoma Conservation Commission. Matthew Mercer, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Wetlands Program coordinator, assisted with final gathering of data and resources and grant coordination. All maps for this publication were generated by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission’s Geographic Information Systems division. Other agencies and organizations who have contributed to this publication include the following: Office of the Secretary of Environment, State of Oklahoma Oklahoma Biodiversity Task Force Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service Oklahoma Water Resources Board Oklahoma’s Wetlands Working Group University of Oklahoma Biological Survey U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special acknowledgment is deserved by the following individuals for their assistance in completion of this project: Bob Springer, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Shanon Haraughty, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Derek Johnson, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Wes Shockley, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Brooks Tramell, Oklahoma Conservation Commission Steve Tully, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Dwaine Gelnar, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Jennifer Lee Myers, Office of the Secretary of Environment Bruce Hoagland, Oklahoma Biological Survey and the University of Oklahoma And thanks to the staffs of Oklahoma’s local conservation districts and NRCS field offices for their assistance in accessing the wetland reference sites. 1 T T Introduction The Oklahoma Wetlands Reference Guide has been developed to help a variety of users in identifying and understanding the ecology of the most common natural wetland types found in Oklahoma. It is the authors’ intention that this book provides natural resource professionals, educators and private landowners with a guide that can be used to evaluate changes in similar wetland types, measured against a common standard. This guide is not intended for use as a wetland delineation manual nor is it a substitute for wetland determinations performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The term “wetland” is an umbrella term, and includes marshes, swamps, bogs, playas and other areas that are wet enough to support hydrophytic vegetation. Wetlands represent a transitional zone between upland and deep water ecosystems, supporting rich biodiversity and providing unique habitat to many plants and animals (e.g., Odland, 1997; Barry et al., 1996; Bawa and Seidler, 1998). Therefore, wetlands are one of the most important ecological features on the landscape, providing benefits to humans and nature alike (e.g., Wakeley and Roberts, 1996; Killgore and Baker, 1996; Reedy et al., 1996). Wetlands often contain features common to upland and deep water ecosystems, and as a result may be difficult to recognize by the untrained eye. Wetlands exist in nearly every climatic zone and on every continent, except Antarctica (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). Estimates suggest that more than half of the wetlands nationwide have been lost since the mid-1800s, leaving approximately six percent of the Earth covered by wetlands today (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). In 1988 the U.S. Department of Interior determined that 87 percent of wetland conversion was due to agriculture, eight percent to urban development and another five percent for various reasons (Steiner et al., 1994). However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has attempted to reverse this trend. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) restored 915,000 acres of wetlands nationwide between October 1996 and July 2000 (NRCS, 2001). There are a wide variety of wetland types found across the state of Oklahoma. The climate tends to get warmer and wetter as one moves across the state from northwest to southeast. As a result, the predominant wetland type changes from playas in the panhandle to riparian areas and depressions throughout the prairies to the bald cypress swamps of McCurtain County in the extreme south-eastern corner of the state. In Oklahoma, as in many areas of the country, 2 T wetlands have been drained because of the perception that these lands offered no value. As a result, approximately 67 percent (1.9 million acres) of wetlands were removed from the landscape over the past 200 years (Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). Both on nationwide basis and in Oklahoma, bottomland hardwood forests (BLH) have been especially hard hit. Estimated decreases in forested wetlands in LeFlore and McCurtain Counties suggest that approxi-mately 84 percent of BLH have been destroyed since 1960 (Brabander et al., 1985). The Oklahoma Conservation Commission has a variety of ongoing wetland projects to meet the goals and objectives of Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation Plan, as do other agencies in the state wetland responsibilities or interests. Many of these projects receive funding through the Wetlands Program of the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 6. The ultimate goal of each of the Conservation Commission’s projects is to “conserve, protect and restore the quantity and biological diversity of all wetlands in the state” (Oklahoma Conservation Commission, 1996) through education, demonstration and restoration. Definition of Wetlands There are many definitions of the term “wetlands” used in the United States, but most are fundamentally alike and generally address three elements — hydrology, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydric soils. This manual follows the definition of wetlands used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This definition describes wetlands as: “Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar activities.” (33 CFR 328.3, {b}) The hydrology of a land area is a function of the frequency, duration and volume of saturation by water. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly the Soil Conservation Service) defines hydric soil as: “A soil that is saturated, flooded or ponded long enough during growing season to develop anaerobic conditions that favor the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation.” (USDA Soil Conservation Service, 1985, as amended by the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils in 1986.) 3 H Hydrophytic vegetation is defined in the Corps of Engineers’ Wetlands Delineation Manual as: “The sum total of macrophytic plant life that occur in areas where the frequency and duration of inundation or soil saturation produces permanently or periodically saturated soils of sufficient duration to exert a controlling influence on the plant species present.” “A hydrophyte is any macrophyte that grows in water or on a substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content.” To paraphrase, hydrophytic plants are those that grow and thrive in water or in soil that is wet or saturated to the point that it is at least periodically deficient in oxygen. Functions and Values of Wetlands Historically, wetlands were considered to be areas that should be drained for farming, residential, or industrial development. Wetlands were not consid-ered valuable resources and their complex ecological and hydrological functions were, for the most part, unrecognized. Only recently have wetlands been recognized as valuable natural resources that can provide important benefits to the public and the environment. The func-tions wetlands provide of direct benefit to humans and nature and the value of those functions will, of course, vary according to the type of wetland system and the season of the year. Wetland functions and values include the following: Water Quality Improvement: Wetlands have been referred to as the “kidneys of the landscape” because they often act as natural filters by decreasing contami-nant concentrations in the water column (e.g., White and Burken, 1998; Nairn and Mercer, 2001). Contaminants are removed by a variety of processes, includ-ing physical settling resulting from long retention times with low-velocity flows, uptake by hydrophytic vegetation, microbial action and reactions with the atmosphere (e.g., Buchberger and Shaw, 1995; Tanner, 1996). In fact, wetlands are commonly constructed explicitly for treatment purposes. For example, wetlands have been constructed in Oklahoma to treat acidic mine drainages by using bacterial processes to retain metals and increase buffering capacity. After treatment, the water was clean and supported a healthy ecosystem (Nairn et al., 2000). Flood Protection and Erosion Control: Wetlands can also function like a “sponge”, absorbing and retaining relatively large volumes of water, and then releasing it slowly over several weeks or months. By providing temporary storage of storm or snowmelt water, wetlands can decrease peak flows in receiving waters and lower 4 the energy in streams, resulting in reduced flooding and minimized damage downstream (Kleiss, 1996). In doing so, wetlands help protect adjacent and downstream property and reduce damage to roads, bridges and crops. In ripari-an areas, trees and other hydrophytic vegetation help slow the speed of flood waters and can absorb and dissipate the force of wave action, reducing erosion along streambanks and shorelines (Kumar et al., 1996). Groundwater Recharge and Discharge: Although not all wetlands recharge groundwater, some wetlands serve as a source in replenishing groundwater supplies, and vice versa (Gerla, 1999; Mitsch and Gosselink, 1993). For example, approximately 31 percent of water supplied to a constructed wetland in the Florida Everglades recharged the groundwater beneath it (Choi and Harvey, 2000). Water that would otherwise end up in downstream rivers and lakes or evaporate into the atmosphere can percolate through the soil into aquifers. This is called infiltration. Infiltration rates are dependent on the condition of the soil beneath the wetland, the physical characteristics controlling pore space in the soil and the frictional resistance of the soil (Pierce, 1992). Wetlands that intercept an aquifer may serve as a site where groundwater is discharged to the surface. Because water tables can fluctuate with seasonal variations, some wetlands may recharge groundwater during dry periods and receive groundwater during wetter months (Hunt et al., 1999). Biological Habitat: Wetlands provide habitat for organisms ranging in size from large to microscopic, and contribute to the biological diversity and stability of the landscape as a whole (King and Brazner, 1999; Jurgensen et al., 1997). For example, migrating birds use wetlands as feeding, rearing and stopover sites (e.g., Naugle et al., 2000), while various invertebrates (e.g., Nordstrom and Ryan, 1996), amphibians (e.g., Lehtinen et al., 1999) and fishes (e.g., Faunce and Paperno, 1999) commonly utilize wetlands during all or part of their life cycle. The habitat needs of many wildlife species are found in wetlands, including shallow water for breeding and rearing of young and dense vegetation stands which provide food and shelter. Education, Recreation, and Aesthetic Values: Wetlands may serve as living, outdoor laboratories where unique plant and animal species can be observed. The principals of ecological systems such as energy flow, recycling, and carrying capacity can be studied first hand. Wetlands are often aesthetically pleasing, capable of evoking in humans a sense of wonder, and stirring an appreciation of nature as one witnesses a flock of ducks taking flight from a playa, a heron stalking its prey in an oxbow lake, or hears the sounds emanating from a swamp on a summer night. Wetlands provide endless opportunities for popular recre-ational activities such as hiking, canoeing, boating, fishing, hunting, photogra-phy, bird watching and swimming. 5 T Economic Values: The economic value of wetlands is substantial. A plethora of natural products of use to humans are to be found in various wetlands. Those with direct economic benefits include timber, fish and shellfish, wildlife, blue-berries, cranberries and wild rice. In fact, nearly all commercially harvested fish and shellfish and most recreational fish depend on wetlands for food and habitat during some part of their life cycle (Feierabend and Zelanzy, 1987). While the benefits of wetlands from fisheries and waterfowl are substantial, they pale in comparison to the economic benefits from wetland ecosystem functions such as groundwater recharge, flood control and protection, water quality improvement and erosion control (Costanza et al., 1997). Organizational Structure of This Guide This guide is intended to represent Oklahoma’s rich diversity of wetland types. The individual reference sites are organized into chapters by those types including riparian corridor wetlands, swamps, oxbow lakes, closed depres-sions, playa lakes, and forested wetlands. The fringe wetlands that occur along ponds and reservoirs are not included in this guide because they are not consid-ered naturally occurring and are not common to any specific geographic region. The location of each of the selected reference sites is provided at the beginning of the site description chapter. Location is given by latitude and longitude as well as by the legal description. Since over 90 percent of Oklahoma land is privately owned, many of these reference sites are located on private property and permission must be secured from the landowner in order to gain access. That notation, where applicable, is included in the location description para-graph. Other sites are on some type of public land, including federally-, state- or municipally-maintained property. The narrative provides a general description of the geomorphology, or land shape and characteristics. Each reference wetland is also described using indicators based on the jurisdictional wetland definition, i.e., vegetative community, hydrology (water sources, frequency and duration) and soil description. Photographs of soil profiles and important hydrologic indicators found both in and on the soil accompany those descriptive paragraphs, as well as a photograph of the stable vegetative community at the beginning of each site description chapter. Each reference wetland has classifications for soil type and wetland type. This section is intended primarily for natural resource professionals who might be called upon to perform wetland delineations, evaluations or inventory. The wetland type classification is from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, developed by Cowardin et al. (1979), and represents the type of classification one would expect to find in that wetlands inventory. 6 The soil classification was determined by the USDA-NRCS classification taken from Soil Taxonomy, Agricultural Handbook 436, United States Department of Agriculture, Second Edition (1999). An explanation, in lay person’s language, of the terminology used in these classifications is not possible within the scope of this publication. Instead, the interested lay person is referred to consult those two resources directly. Landform descriptions are given using both the Ecoregion and Major Land Resource Area organizational systems. A Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) is a unit characterized by similar patterns of soil, climate, water resources, land use, geology, elevation and topography. The MLRA classification system is predominantly utilized by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and soil scientists. The Ecoregion approach is a similar regional characterization system based on natural communities, geology and land use, as mapped by J.M. Omernik (1987), and is used primarily by water resource professionals. More detailed descriptions of Ecoregions and MLRAs are to be found in the appendix. A brief statement is made about water quality typically found in the type of site represented, followed by a description of common landuse. Finally, wetland dependent wildlife communities common to the ecoregion of each site are listed. Many of the amphibians found in the wetlands described in the text can be found sporadically throughout the wetlands of Oklahoma. At times these amphibians can be found in extremely high densities, typically during the late winter though early spring. However, some species are fall breeders and will congregate during those months before the extreme winter conditions set in. Many species are omitted from the text due to their infrequency in those habitats and the secretive nature of their behavior, making them difficult specimens to find. Assumptions are made about the quality of the habitat. For example, many additional amphibian species may be found if carnivorous fish species are not living in those same waters. Only the most common species found or easily observed, whether through calls or visual observations, are mentioned. Literature relating to the more infrequently found species and their habitats can be found in A Field Guide to Amphibians of Oklahoma, published by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. A partial glossary of terms used in this guide is included at the end of this book along with a list of references for further reading. Tables of common and Latin names for animals and plants — fauna and flora — are included as well. Wetland Types Riparian Corridors (Zones) are on low, frequently-inundated flood plains. Riparian corridors are found in the central and western parts of Oklahoma. As they are 7 O frequently flooded, they have saturated soils associated with high water tables. Vegetation is typically composed of rushes and sedges with an overstory of willow, cottonwood, and tamarisk. Swamps, Bogs, and Marshes are on low, frequently-inundated flood plains, most commonly in the southeastern part of the state. Soils are saturated and surface water stands far into the growing season. The understory vegetation is typically rushes and sedges with an overstory of bald cypress, overcup oak, and willow oak. Oxbow Lakes are old river and stream channels that have been cut off from the main channel. These oxbows have shallow to deep water that is typically devoid of woody vegetation. Green ash and willow line the banks of these areas, and submergent and floating leaf aquatic plants are found in the water. Unlike closed depressions, these areas are seldom dry. Closed Depressions are found throughout the state where soil deposited by wind or water has blocked drainage patterns. They often have high water tables and seasonally pond water for long durations, but may not hold water in dry years. The depressions are usually vegetated with cattails, smartweeds, and barnyard grass, with an overstory of willow and buttonbush. Playa Lakes are found only on the high plains of the Oklahoma Panhandle. These are depressional areas that have no outlets and seasonally pond water for long durations during years with high rainfall. These areas are commonly vegetated with woollyleaf bursage and smart weed. Forested Wetlands are found on frequently-inundated flood plains in the eastern third of the state. They have soils saturated by high water tables that remain at or near the surface for long periods. Vegetation is typically rushes and sedges with an overstory of pin oak, Shumard oak, bur oak and green ash. Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation Plan Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Wetlands Conservation Plan offers an overview of Oklahoma’s wetlands and their future conservation. It pro-vides the state with a focused strategy for identifying, understanding, managing, and enjoying one of Oklahoma’s most versatile natural resources. The plan identifies issues that are unresolved and the limitations on wetland data and science. The need for a state wetlands strategy is indicated by an awareness that responsi-bility for wetland conservation and management in Oklahoma are shared among local, state, tribal and federal agencies, as well as private entities such as 8 conservation organizations, corporations, landowners and other interest groups. No agency or group has been given either the exclusive mandate or resources to adequately protect wetlands. Wetlands conservation and management may be accomplished only through the continued, cooperative efforts of these groups and individuals. The plan emphasizes that through discussion, information exchange, cooperation and sharing of resources, a coordinated approach to wetland management can be accomplished. The plan recognizes that without willing cooperation from private landowners there is little hope of long-term success for wetland protection. The plan promotes a voluntary approach to wetland management that uses education, technical assistance and incentives to bring the private sector into wetland management as a willing partner. “The goal of the state of Oklahoma is to conserve, enhance and restore the quantity and biological diversity of all wetlands in the state.” 9 Closed Depressions are found throughout the state where soil deposited by wind or water has blocked drainage, or where wind has removed soil forming a depression. They often have high water tables and seasonally pond water for long durations, but may not have standing water in dry years. Closed depressions are usually vegetated with cattails, smartweeds and barnyard grass, with an overstory of willow and buttonbush. Wetland Type: Closed Depression 10 Location. The Ames Closed Depression is found on an ancient, wind-reworked alluvial terrace deposited by the Cimarron River. It is five miles south and two and one-half miles west of Drummond on Highway 132. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 36° 13' 48". Longitude: 98° 04' 24". Legal: SE NE NW NE Sec 8 T20N R8W. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands typically found in depressional areas within hummocky sandy terraces on major rivers throughout northwestern parts of Oklahoma. These depressions are formed when windblown sediments block the outlets of drainage ways or wind has created blowouts in sandy materials. These wetlands are typically round to oval in shape and range from 0.1 acre to 100 acres in size. These wetlands are cyclical in nature. During wetter cycles they maintain almost permanent water and dry up completely during drought cycles. They are hydrologically influenced by the adjacent surrounding uplands and shallow groundwater that percolates rapidly Ames Closed Depression Closed Depression Site Garfield County 11 through the sandy soils and is perched on the clayey materials at the base of the depressions. These wetlands are often farmed and are an important source of water for livestock and wildlife. Vegetative Community. These wetlands are associated with seasonal surface and subsurface water, resulting in a mixture of rushes, sedges, shrubby, woody vegetation and annuals that become established as water evaporates along the shoreline zone. Typically vegetation is dominated by a herbaceous layer that consists of sedges, cattail, smartweed, water primrose and bulrush. Cocklebur, curly dock and sumpweed become established as water evaporates and mud flats are exposed. Inland salt grass and alkali sacaton are perennial grasses that become established where groundwater has higher salinity. Hydrology. This wetland type is influenced by seasonal accumulation of surface water from rainfall and by groundwater perched on clayey subsoil strata and moving laterally through the area. Groundwater tables range from above the surface to 2 feet below the surface. These wetlands typically dry up during late summer months and are recharged in late fall through early spring. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are a depleted or gleyed matrix and redox concentrations in the form of soft masses in the upper subsoil. This wetland type commonly has a dark surface layer that is high in organic matter and contains few to common redox concentrations. Many of these wetlands have developed under recent changes in hydrologic conditions and may not exhibit any redoximorphic characteristics. This is particularly common to wetlands that develop in soils with red parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of thin layer of muck (0.5 to 2 inches) and partially decomposed roots of plants in the upper 20 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Carwile soil series is the hydric soil on this reference wetland. Carwile soils are formed in depressional areas where wind blown sandy material is deposited over clayey soil materials on the highest terrace levels of large river systems in the northwestern part of the state. These soils typically have dark brown loam or fine sandy loam surface layers over gray clay subsoils. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. 12 Soil Profile A1: 0 to 10 inches, very dark grayish brown (10YR 3/2) loam; moderately fine granular structure; common (5%) yellowish red (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations in the form of soft masses; many very fine and fine roots. B1t: 10 to 18 inches, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) clay; moderately fine blocky structure; many (35%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations in the form of soft masses and many (20%) gray (10YR 5/1) redox depletions; extremely hard, very firm; many fine and medium roots. B2t: 18 to 20 inches, light yellowish brown (10YR 6/4) sandy clay loam; moderate medium blocky structure; many (30%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations in the form of soft masses and many (40%) gray (10YR 6/1) redox depletions; coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A. Soil: Fine, mixed, superactive, thermic. Typic Argiaquoll. Landform Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Prairies (80A). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent croplands generally make their water quality unreliable for uses other than for livestock. Landuse. Because these wetlands typically go dry during some part of the year, most areas have been farmed or retired to improved pasture. When these wetlands are cropped they are typically used for winter wheat production. Many areas have been planted to improved Bermuda grass pasture. In some areas these are the only sources of livestock water available and provide seasonal water usage. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, 13 blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, bullfrog, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, golden shiner, red shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, smallmouth buffalo, common carp and longnose gar, spotted gar, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish. 14 Ciimarrrron Teerrrraccee Closed Depression Cyclical Wetland Site Logan County Location. This reference wetland is found on a sandy alluvial terrace three miles west and one-half mile north of Crescent on Dover Road. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. The reference site is the location of a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service hydric soil monitoring station that records water table depths and redox potential over time. Latitude: 35° 57' 57". Longitude: 97° 39' 32". Legal: NW SE SE NE Sec. 7 T17N 4W. General Description. This site represents wetlands typically found on depressional areas within hummocky sandy terraces on major rivers throughout the central parts of Oklahoma. These depressions are formed when windblown sediments block the outlets of drainage ways or wind has blown out depressions in sandy materials. These wetlands are typically round to a long, narrow oval in shape, ranging from 0.1 acre to 200 acres in size and are cyclical in nature. During wetter cycles they maintain almost permanent water and dry up completely during drought cycles. These wetlands are often farmed and are an 15 important source of livestock and wildlife water. Vegetative Community. These wetlands are associated with seasonal surface and subsurface water. Vegetation is a mixture of rushes, sedges and shrubby, woody plants and annuals that become established as the water evaporates in the shoreline zone. Typically, vegetation consists of an overstory of black willow and cottonwood with a shrubby layer of buttonbush. The herbaceous layer consists of sedges, rushes, cattail, bulrush, smartweed, cockle burr, water primrose, curly dock, sumpweed, mud plantain, water hyssop and broadleaf duck potatoes. Hydrology. This wetland type is influenced by seasonal accumulation of surface water from rainfall and from groundwater that is perched on clayey subsoil strata and moves laterally throughout the area. Groundwater tables range from above the surface to 4.0 feet below the surface. They are hydrologically influenced by surface runoff from the adjacent surrounding uplands and shallow groundwater that percolates rapidly through the sandy soils. These wetlands typically dry up during the later summer months and are recharged in the late fall through early spring. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are many redox depletions with many redox concentrations in the form of iron stains and coatings on sand grains. This wetland type commonly has a darkened surface layer and contains common to many redox concentrations and depletions within the surface layer. Many of these wetlands have developed under recent changes in hydrologic conditions and may not exhibit any redoximorphic characteristics. This is particularly common to wetlands that develop in soils with red Pleistocene age parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres and partially decomposed roots of plants that give a characteristic charcoal appearance in the upper 20 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Bocox soil series is the hydric soil on this reference wetland. Bocox soils are formed where wind blown sandy material is deposited in depressional areas blocking drainage outlets. Subsurface water perches on more clayey layers and surface infiltration is slowed. These soils typically have a brown loamy fine sand surface layer and brownish yellow to reddish yellow subsurface and subsoil layers. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. 16 Soil Profile A1: 0 to 12 inches: brown (10YR 5/3) loamy fine sand; weak, very fine granular structure; many (20%) strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) redox concentrations in the form of iron stains and coatings, many (40%) grayish brown (10YR 5/2) redox depletions; few very fine and fine roots; slightly hard, very friable; clear wavy boundary. E: 12 to 20 inches; brownish yellow (10YR 6/6) loamy fine sand; single grain structure; common (10%) strong brown redox concentrations in the form of iron stains and coatings; slightly hard, loose; few fine and medium roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A. Soil: Loamy, mixed, thermic, aquic. Arenic Hapludalf. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Prairies (80A). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantities for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent croplands generally make their water quality undependable for domestic uses other than livestock water. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for crop production, pasture, rangeland, and livestock water. Because these wetlands typically go dry during some part of the year, most areas have been farmed or planted to improved pasture, often in Bermuda grass. When these wetlands are cropped they are typically used for winter wheat production. Some areas are the only source of livestock water available and provide seasonal usage. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western 17 ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Bullfrog, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, golden shiner, fathead minnow, bullhead minnow, red shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, longnose gar, spotted gar, smallmouth buffalo, common carp. 18 Forested Wetlands are found on frequently-inundated flood plains in the eastern third of the state. They have soils saturated by high water tables that remain at or near the surface for long periods. Vegetation is typically rushes, sedges, parsley leaf hawthorn, spicebush and giant cane with an overstory of oaks, hickory and green ash. Wetland Type: Forested Wetlands 19 Location. This reference wetland is a portion of the Verdigris River system. It is located one-half mile south of Verdigris in Rogers County. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 36° 12' 47". Longitude: 95° 41' 25". Legal: SW SW NW SW Sec 14 T20N R15E. General Description. This site represents wetlands that border rivers and streams throughout the northeastern part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on the back side of broad stable flood plains. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland land form is characterized by a series of oval to oblong depressional areas between slightly higher (less than 0.5 feet) ridges of less clayey materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are near the surface during the winter and early spring. Big Lake Forested Wetlands Site Rogers County 20 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of black willow, pin oak, green ash, bitternut hickory and pecan, with an understory of sedges and broadleaf uniola. When disturbed, these areas convert to willow or cottonwood thickets with an understory of smartweed, sumpweed and cockleburs. Hydrology. The water sources for these wetlands are groundwater tables and frequent floods of variable duration. High water marks and debris lines at a four to six foot height are common on trees near larger rivers. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are often fluted. Water tables range in depth from the surface to 1.5 feet below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the winter and early spring. Subsurface water typically moves through the large cracks and structural components of the clay soils. These areas typically have surface layers of less clayey materials near channel banks that are slightly higher and more well drained. Water-stained leaves are found in the depressional areas that pond water the longest. Hydrologic Indicators. Because these soils have abundant organic carbon and are dark colored, hydrologic indicators in the soil profile are difficult to observe. Primary hydrologic indicators are 5 to 20 percent redox concentrations (both iron and manganese) in the upper eight inches of the soil profile. The number of redox concentrations increase with depth, ranging from 10 to 30 percent in the 8- to 20-inch zone. Below 20 inches, these soils have a gleyed matrix. Depressional areas have water-stained leaves and the tree trunks are buttressed. Soil Description. The Osage soils series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Osage soils formed in clay sediments deposited on flood plains from out-of-bank flooding. The depositional materials that form this soil are brown sediments from shales of the Pennsylvanian geologic age. These soils typically form in back slough positions of the flood plains. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 9 inches, very dark gray (10YR 3/1) clay; strong fine blocky structure; few to common (5%) dark reddish brown (5YR 3/4) redox concentrations, many fine and medium roots matted at the surface. B2: 7 to 20 inches, dark gray (10YR 4/1) clay; strong medium blocky structure; common (15%) strong brown (7.5YR5/6) redox concentrations on ped faces; few medium and course roots. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Vertic Endoaquoll. 21 Landform. Ecoregion: Central Irregular Plains (40). MLRA: Cherokee Prairies (112). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables do not produce enough water for domestic purposes. Landuse. This wetland type is used for improved pasture, cropland, and nut production. Many areas are sufficiently drained so that limited row crop production can occur. When adequately drained these areas are considered prime farmland. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland, rangeland or improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed, grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common, goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, bullhead catfish, channel catfish, common carp, smallmouth buffalo, longear sunfish, log perch, slough darter, golden shiner. 22 Grassy Slough Hill Side Seep Forested Wetlands Site McCurtain County Location. This reference wetland is located one-half mile north and three-quarters of a mile west of Pollard in McCurtain County. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 33° 48' 06". Longitude: 94° 44' 22". Legal: NE SW SW Sec 6 T9S R25E. General Description. This site is representative of wetlands bordering small streams throughout the southeastern part of Oklahoma, typically on hill sides adjacent to narrow flood plains. This wetland is characterized by narrow bands of seeps and springs on the toe slopes of steep sandy uplands. Groundwater tables are at the surface during the late fall through early summer. These wetlands are very narrow, but may extend for long distances. Individual areas range from 1 acre to 10 acres in size. Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of willow oak, blue beech, American holly and Hercules club with an understory of several species of fern, jack in the pulpit and sphagnum moss. 23 Hydrology. The water source for these wetlands is a groundwater table that forms numerous seeps and springs. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are fluted. Water tables range in depth from the surface to 1 foot below, with the highest levels occurring during the fall through early summer. Subsurface water typically moves throughout the soils. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are partially decomposed organic layers up to 16 inches thick and a gleyed matrix. These soils stay so wet they develop few redox concentrations. Soil Description. There are no recognized soils series for the soil on this wetland type. It is associated with the Iuka soils. These soils formed in loamy sediments deposited through the downward creep of soil materials from the upper slopes of sandy uplands. Soil Profile O: 0 to 3 inches, black (10YR 2/1); partially (30%) decomposed organic material; structureless. A1: 3 to 6 inches, dark gray (10YR 4/1); fine sandy loam; weak, fine granular structure; few, fine (<2%) strong brown (7YR 4/6, 5/6) redox concentrations; weak, fine granular structure; many medium roots in surface matte. E1: 6 to14 inches, gray (10YR6/1) loamy fine sand; structureless; few (1%) strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) redox concentrations on ped face; few medium course roots. E2: 14 to 20 inches, light gray (10YR7/1) loamy fine sand; structureless; few strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) redox concentrations. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Undetermined Landform. Ecoregion: South Central Plains (35). MLRA: West Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes, but the dependability and quality of water are insufficient for human consumption. Landuse. This wetland type is often used for woodland or livestock production. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization and pasture grasses established. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for improved pasture, cropland or woodland. 24 Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, western slimy salamander, many-ribbed salamander, four-toed salamander, slimy salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, complex, green treefrog, bird-voiced treefrog. Fish: Various catfish, mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe top minnow, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, spotted bass, grass pickerel. 25 Location. This reference wetland is a portion of the Little River stream system. It is located five miles south and one mile east of Broken Bow in McCurtain County. This reference location is on the Little River National Wildlife Refuge. Latitude: 33° 57' 05". Longitude: 94° 43' 03". Legal: Sec 8 T7S R25E. General Description. This wetland type borders rivers and streams throughout the southeastern part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on broad, stable flood plains and low terraces. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland landform is characterized by depressional areas between slightly higher (less than 0.5 feet) mounds of less clayey materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are at the surface during the winter and early spring. Little River National Wildlife Refuge Forested Wetlands Site McCurtain County 26 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of overcup oak, Nuttall oak, water oak, willow oak and water hickory with an understory of sedges and rushes. Hydrology. The sources of water for these wetlands are frequent floods of short to long duration and groundwater. High water marks and debris lines are common on trees near larger rivers. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are fluted. Water tables range in depth from above the surface to 1 foot below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the winter through early summer. Subsurface water typically moves throughout. These wetlands often have areas with surface layers of less clayey materials that are slightly higher and more well drained. Water-stained leaves are found in the depressional areas that pond water the longest. Wind thrown trees are commonly observed in these wetland areas. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 25 to 60 percent redox concentration (both iron and manganese) in the upper 15 inches of the soil profile. The manganese usually occurs as large segregations rather than in concretion form. There are common 5 to 20 percent redox depletions within 15 inches of the surface. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres and water stained leaves. Redox depletions usually increase with depth ranging up to 60 percent in the 15 to 20 inch layer. Soil Description. The Guyton soils series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Guyton soils formed in loamy and clayey sediments deposited on flood plains from out-of-bank flooding. The depositional materials that form this soil are sediments of Cretaceous geologic age. These soils developed under closed canopy overstory of bottomland hardwoods. Soil Profile O: 0 to 1 inches, dark brown (7.5YR 3/2) silt loam with 60 percent partially (30 percent) decomposed organic matter. A1: 1 to 5 inches, brown (7.5YR 5/4) silt loam; weak fine granular structure; many (40%) reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6) and reddish brown (5YR 4/4) redox concentrations and common light gray (7.5YR 6/1) redox depletions; many fine and medium roots. B1: 5 to 15 inches, reddish brown (5YR 4/4), reddish yellow (7.5YR 6/6) and light gray (7.5YR 6/1) silty clay loam; weak fine granular structure; common to many (15%) manganese concentrations on ped faces; common medium and coarse roots. B2: 15 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR 4/4) silty clay loam; 27 massive, structureless; few to common (10%) yellowish red (5YR5/6) redox concentrations on ped faces; many partially-decomposed roots below 16 inches having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C. Soil: Fine-silty, siliceous, active, thermic. Typic Glossaqualf. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes, but the dependability and quality of water are insufficient for human consumption. Landuse. This wetland type is frequently used for timber production. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization and pasture grasses established. Some areas are sufficiently drained so that limited crop production can occur. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for improved pasture or forestland. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, western slimy salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, green treefrog, four-toed salamander, many-ribbed salamander, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, spotted bass, pygmy sunfish, cypress darter. 28 Reed Sllough WRP Forested Wetlands Site McCurtain County Location. This reference wetland is a portion of the Pushmatena Creek stream system. It is located three and a half miles east of Harris in McCurtain County. This reference location is on private property. No access without permission. Latitude: 33° 44' 15". Longitude: 94° 40' 10'. Legal: SW, SE, SW, Sec 26 T9S R25E. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands border rivers and streams throughout the southeastern part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on depressional areas of broad stable flood plains. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland land form is characterized by a series of depressional areas between slightly elevated (less than 0.5 feet) ridges of less clayey materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are near the surface during winter and early spring. 29 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of water oak, willow oak, overcup oak, water hickory with an understory of sphagnum moss and dwarf palmetto. Hydrology. The water sources for these wetlands are frequent floods of short to long duration and groundwater tables. Tree trunks are buttressed and root systems are fluted. Water tables range in depth from the surface to 1 foot below, with the highest levels occurring during winter and early spring. Subsurface water typically moves through the large cracks and structural components of the clay soils. These areas often have surface layers of less clayey materials near channel banks that are slightly higher and more well drained. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 15 to 30 percent redox concentration (both iron and manganese) and 25 to 40 percent redox depletions in the upper 6 inches of the soil profile. The abundance of redox concentrations and depletions increase with depth, with redox depletions increasing up to 50 percent in the 6- to 20-inch zone. Soil Description. The Tuscumbia soils series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Tuscumbia soils formed in clayey sediments deposited on flood plains from out-of-bank flooding. The depositional materials that form this soil are brown sediments from the Pleistocene geologic age. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 6 inches, dark grayish brown (10YR 4/2) silty clay loam; strong, fine blocky structure; common (20 to 25%) reddish brown (5YR 4/3, 4/4) redox concentrations and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) redox depletions; many fine and medium roots. B: 6 to 20 inches, grayish brown (10YR 5/2) silty clay loam; moderately fine blocky structure; many (30 to 50%) reddish brown (5YR 4/4) redox concentrations and light brownish gray (10YR 6/2) redox depletions on ped faces; few medium to coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Fine, mixed, nonacid, thermic. Vertic Equiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: South Central Plains (35). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables do not produce enough water for domestic purposes. 30 Landuse. This wetland type is often used for timber and many areas are sufficiently drained so that limited crop production can occur. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland or pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, slimy salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, slimy salamander complex, green treefrog, bird-voiced treefrog, four-toed salamander, many ribbed salamander, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, spotted bass, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, pygmy sunfish, pirate perch. 31 Wetland Type: Oxbow Lake Oxbow Lakes are old river and stream channels that have been cut off from the main channel. The cutoff channels are most often on large bends, giving the wetland a characteristic oxbow or horseshoe shape. Most of the oxbow lakes in Oklahoma are less than seven feet in depth and, unlike closed depressions, are seldom dry. These wetlands remain stable until new floods force the river to move back to its original course, or cuts out the end that has blocked the drainage. 32 Okmullgeeee Wiilldlliiffee Manageemeentt Arreea Oxbow Site Okmulgee County Location. This reference wetland is on a portion of the Deep Fork of the Canadian River system. It is located three and one-half miles west and two and one-half miles north of Okmulgee on the Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area. This reference wetland location is on state property. Latitude: 35° 39' 28" Longitude: 96° 02' 19". Legal: SE SE NW SE Sec. 28 T14N R12E. General Description. This site represents wetlands that occurs primarily on river systems like the Deep Fork River where floods have created new river channels, cutting off the original channel. The cut off channels are most often on bends, giving the wetland a characteristic oxbow or horseshoe shape. Most of the oxbows in the Deep Fork system are less than 3 feet in depth and are sometimes dry in late summer. These wetlands are generally stable, but sediment loading from large flood events may decrease their overall depth. The wetland ranges in size from 10 acres to over 100 acres. 33 Vegetative Community. These wetlands are most often associated with open water and most of the vegetation occurs along the shoreline zone. Typical vegetation consists of an overstory of green ash and black willow. Hydrology. This wetland receives most of its water from surface runoff. The contributing drainage area has a low slope gradient, and runoff enters the system slowly. Ground water tables are influenced by the level of the river and groundwater moves through large pores that form the faces of the soil structural units. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are a gleyed matrix below 8 inches and many redox depletions and redox concentrations in the upper 8 inches of the soil profile. Some of these wetlands are recent in age and may not show any redoximorphic characteristics. This is most common to those wetlands that are recent in age or have developed in soils with red parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of thin layer of muck (1/2 to 2 inches) and partially decomposed roots of plants in the upper 10 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Ustibuck soil series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Ustibuck soils are formed in clayey sediments that are deposited on low gradient backwater areas of flood plains on large stream systems. Because water stands nearly motionless for long periods, the clayey sediment has time to settle out in thick layers of clays with thinner strata of loamy and sandy materials. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. Soil Profile A: 0 to 8 inches, reddish brown (5YR 3/4) clay; moderate very fine blocky structure; many fine and medium roots; many (40%) medium and coarse yellowish-red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations and many (45%) coarse gray (5YR 6/1) redox depletions. B: 8 to 20 inches, gray (5YR6/1) clay; moderate medium blocky structure; common coarse roots; common fine and coarse yellowish-red (5YR 5/8) redox concentrations on ped faces. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PFO1C, PFO1A, PEM1A. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Ustic Epiaquert. Land Form Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (118B). 34 Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent cropland generally make their water supply undependable for domestic uses. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock water and recreation. The adjacent areas are typically used for woodland or when adequately drained are used for corn or soybean production, improved pasture or alfalfa hay. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), American coot, sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, fish crow, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, midland water snake, northern water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Bullfrog, barred tiger salamander, smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, green frog, plains leopard frog, southern leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, slough darter, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, log perch, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, smallmouth buffalo, common carp, river carpsucker, freshwater drum, bullhead minnow, red shiner, golden shiner. 35 Location. This reference wetland is along the Red River. It is six miles south and three and one-half miles west of Idabel on Highway 259. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 33° 48' 29.78". Longitude: 94° 53' 19.19". Legal: NE NE NW Sec 3 T9S 23E. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands occurring primarily on the lower Red River drainage system where floods have created new river channels, leaving the original channel cut off. The cutoff channels are most often on large bends, giving the wetland a characteristic oxbow or horseshoe shape. Most of the oxbow lakes in Oklahoma are less than seven feet in depth. These wetlands remain stable until new floods force the river to move back to its original course, or cuts out the end that has blocked the drainage. The wetland ranges in size from 10 acres to over 100 acres. Red River Oxbow Oxbow Site McCurtain County 36 Vegetative Community. These wetlands are most often associated with open water and most of the vegetation is found along the shoreline zone. Typically vegetation consists of an overstory of green ash and black willow with an understory of buttonbush, cutgrass, water primrose and hibiscus. Hydrology. This wetland receives its water from surface runoff. The contributing drainage area has a low gradient and runoff enters the system slowly. Sediment accumulation in this wetland is influenced by the landuse of the adjacent areas. Most areas are row cropped, delivering a large sediment load into these wetlands. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are gleyed matrix and redox depletions in the upper profile. Many of these wetlands are recent in age and may not exhibit any redoximorphic characteristics. This is most common in those wetland that develop on soils with red parent materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of thin layer of muck (1/2 to 2 inches) and partially decomposed roots of plants in the upper 10 inches of the soil profile. Soil Description. The Roebuck soil series is the principal hydric soil in this wetland type. Roebuck soils are formed in clayey sediments that are deposited on low gradient backwater areas of flood plains on large river systems. Because water stands nearly motionless for long periods, the clayey sediment has time to settle out in thick layers of clay with thinner strata of loamy and sandy materials. The depositional materials that form this soil are generally red sediments from Pleistocene age materials. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 1 inches, very dark reddish gray (5YR 2.5/1) silty clay muck; structureless; many very small fragments of decomposed plant parts. A2: 1 to 8 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) clay; moderate very fine blocky structure; many fine and medium roots. B: 8 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/3) clay; moderate medium blocky structure; common coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C. Soil: Fine, smectic. Aeric Epiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but their shallow depth and runoff from adjacent crop lands generally 37 make their water supply undependable for domestic uses. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock water and recreation. The adjacent areas are typically used for corn or soybean production, improved pasture or alfalfa hay. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, slimy salamander complex, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, bullfrog, bird-voiced treefrog, green treefrog, four-toed salamander, many-ribbed salamander. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, bluehead shiner, ribbon shiner, taillight shiner, iron color shiner, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, grass pickerel, pygmy sunfish, pirate perch. 38 Wetland Type: Playa Lakes Playa Lakes are found only on the high plains. They are depressional areas that have no outlets and seasonally pond water for long durations during years with high rainfall. These areas are commonly vegetated with woollyleaf bursage, smartweed, western wheatgrass and curly dock. 39 Hiigh Pllaiinss Pllaya Playa Site Texas County Location. This reference wetland is located one-half mile north and two miles east of Tyrone. This reference wetland is on private property; no admittance without permission. Latitude: 36° 56 ' 09" Longitude: 101° 03' 06". Legal: SW SW Sec. 31, T6N R19E CM. General Description. This site represents wetlands occurring in depressional basins within broad, nearly level landscapes in the High Plains MLRA. These wetlands are part of very stable hydrologic system that has small amounts of new sediment added to them. These wetlands rely on surface accumulation from rain or snowfall for their source of water. Playa wetlands are generally oval in shape and range from one to several hundred acres in size. Typically water depth is no greater than 60 inches although some may have depth greater than 8 feet at maximum capacity . Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on this wetland type are woollyleaf bursage, smartweed, western wheatgrass and curly dock. 40 Hydrology. This wetland type is influenced by seasonal accumulations of surface water from rainfall and/or snowfall. Because the climatic conditions are characterized by sporadic precipitation, these wetlands are cyclical in nature. They may function as wetlands for several years and then remain dry for an extended period. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators are few fine, common redox concentrations and depletions in the upper 12 inches of soil material. The redox depletions are found on the structural faces of the soil peds. These soils are high in organic matter making the indicators difficult to observe. Soil Description. The Randall series is the principal soil on this wetland type. Randall soils formed in clayey, high plains sediments that were deposited slowly in large depressional areas. The depositional materials that formed this soil are from local sediments deposited slowly over time. These soils have formed on some of the oldest and most stable landscapes in the high plains. Soil Profile A: 0-16 inches, black (10YR 2/0) clay; very strong fine and medium blocky structure; common fine (15%) reddish brown (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations, few (3%) coarse white (10YR 7/1) redox depletions on the surface of peds as stripped silt grains; upper 2 inches of horizon have soft consistency while remainder is hard to very hard. C: 16-20 inches, very dark grayish brown (10YR 4/1) clay; moderate medium blocky structure; few (2%) very fine yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations and few (<2%) manganese concentrations. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1A, PEM1C. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Ustic Epiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: Western High Plains (25). MLRA: Southern High Plains (77A). Water Quality. These wetlands are too cyclical in nature and do not contain water in sufficient quality or quantity for dependable domestic usage. Land Use: These wetlands are typically plowed and planted, most commonly with small grains and grain sorghum. Many of these wetlands have been developed into tail water pits where surplus irrigation water is collected. Although these wetlands have had their vegetation drastically disturbed, minimal impact on their hydrology occurs because of quick recovery of original functions during wet cycles. 41 Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Red bat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested, cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, red-breasted merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, sora, American coot, sandhill crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, black-necked stilt, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, snowy owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, red-eared turtle, spiny softshell turtle, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake. Amphibians: Barred tiger salamander, Woodhouse’s toad, plains leopard frog. Fish: *Mosquitofish, red shiner, golden shiner, fathead minnow, bullhead minnow. *The intermittent nature of this wetland type may not provide sufficiently stable hydrologic conditions for a well developed fish community. As a result, existing fish populations may be limited to low succession species, which are typically short lived and highly adaptable to constantly fluctuating water levels. 42 Riparian Corridors (zones) are found in the central and western parts of Oklahoma on low, frequently-inundated flood plains. They have saturated soils commonly associated with high water tables. Vegetation is typically rushes and sedges with an overstory of willow, cotton-wood and tamarisk. Wetland Type: Riparian Corridor 43 Location. This reference wetland is on the north side of Arcadia Lake. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, water supply and recreation, the lake area is maintained by the city of Edmond. Latitude: 35° 38' 52". Longitude: 97° 23' 33". Legal: SW NE Sec. 35 T14N R2W. General Description. This wetland represents sites commonly is found in the sediment-choked, small drainage area, narrow streams in the Cross Timbers MLRA. These wetlands are recent in age, many being less than 100 years old. The influx of sediment keeps the vegetative community in a constant state of regeneration. These wetlands are long and narrow in shape and individual areas range from 5 to over 100 acres in size. Vegetative Community. The vegetation typically found on these sites are black willow, buttonbush, spike rush, and cattails. When disturbed, these areas quickly convert to willow, green ash or cottonwood thickets with an understory of smart weed, sump weed and cockleburs. Arcadia Lake Riparian Corridor Site Oklahoma County 44 Hydrology. The primary water sources for this wetland type are seasonal floods and subsurface water tables. Most floods last less than one day, with depressional areas ponding water for over a week. Many of the stream channels have been filled with sediment, leaving a characteristic braided-stream pattern. Water tables range in depth from surface level to 3 feet deep, with the highest water tables occurring during early spring months of March, April and May. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators are common redox concentrations in the upper six inches. These redox concentrations are both iron and manganese and are most commonly observed in close proximity to partially decomposed organic materials. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Partially decomposed roots and stems that have the appearance of charcoal is frequently seen in this soil. Hydrologic indicators are difficult to observe or may be absent when the sediments have been recently deposited. Soil Description. The Tribby soil series is the principal soil on this wetland type. Tribby soils formed in loamy to sandy sediments deposited on floodplains from adjacent eroded uplands. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of the Permian geologic age. Soil Profile A: 0-6 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/3) fine sandy loam; weak granular structure; few (<5%) fine yellowish red (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations; many fine and coarse roots. C: 6-20 inches, yellowish red (5YR 4/6) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; few (<5%) fine faint yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, nonacid, thermic. Oxyaquic Udifluvent. Landform Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Cross Timbers (84A). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes but the quality is insufficient for human consumption. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock grazing. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization, and improved pasture grasses like 45 Bermuda grass and fescue are established. The areas adjacent to these soils are mostly forested with a post oak/blackjack oak community. Adjacent areas are also grazed with very little crop production in close proximity. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), American coot, sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, fish crow, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, midland water snake, northern water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Bullfrog, barred tiger salamander, smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, green frog, plains leopard frog, southern leopard frog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, brook silverside, inland silverside, freshwater drum, smallmouth buffalo, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, shortnose gar, spotted gar, common carp. 46 Location. This reference wetland is found on the Beaver River. It is located on the west side of the low water crossing on the west side of the Beaver River Wildlife Management Area. Latitude: 36° 49' 34". Longitude: 100° 42' 02". Legal: SW NW Sec. 9 T4N R22E CM. General Description. This site represents wetlands formed under stable fluvial conditions but affected by more intensive land uses since settlement. The removal of the native plants, overgrazing and cultivation have resulted in wind erosion, filling most of the original wetland with over a foot of sandy deposition. The loss of riparian vegetation has also contributed to stream channel erosion that has increased the sediment deposition. The result has been a narrowing of the original wetland areas, often less than 250 feet wide. Vegetative Community. The vegetation commonly associated with these sites include an overstory of tamarisk, sandbar willow, peach-leaf willow and cottonwood with an understory of three square bulrush, curly dock, pale dock, Beeaveerr Riiveerr Wiilldlliiffee Manageemeentt Arreea Riparian Corridor Site Beaver County 47 western wheatgrass, prairie cordgrass, canary grass, and torrey rush. When disturbed, these sites severely erode, leaving bare sand vegetated by cocklebur, cottonwood and tamarisk. Hydrology. The hydrologic sources for these wetland are frequent floods and subsurface water. Most flooding is of short duration. The water table is influenced by sandy dune fields typically found on the north side of these stream systems. The depth to the water table ranges from the surface to three feet and is generally present in the late winter through late spring. Stream channels are not well defined and typically exhibit a braided pattern. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators are common redox concentrations in the upper 6 inches of the soil. These redox concentrations commonly occur as coating on sand grains. Below a depth of 1 foot both redox concentrations and depletions are present and are often associated with buried surface horizons which have higher organic matter concentrations. Secondary indicators observed at the site are partially decomposed roots that have a characteristic charcoal appearance. In areas where the deposition of sediment is recent, hydrologic indicators may be absent. The presence of an apparent water table with a depth less than one foot can be observed at periods throughout the year. Soil Description. The Sweetwater soil series is the principal soil on these wetland sites. The soil described at the reference site is more similar to the Gracemore soil series. These soils formed in sandy sediments of Pleistocene geologic age, deposited by a combination of wind and water. Soil Profile A: 0-5 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/4) loamy fine sand; weak very fine granular structure; many (30%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations as coatings on sand grains. C1: 5-12 inches, strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) fine sand; structureless; common (10%) faint reddish yellow (5YR 6/6) redox concentrations as coatings on sand grains; common partially decomposed roots. C2: 12-20 inches, pale brown (7.5YR 5/2) fine sand; structureless; many (40%) reddish yellow (5YR6/8) redox concentrations as coatings and many (60%) redox depletions as stripped sand grains; water table present at 14 inches; few partially decomposed roots. 48 Classifications Cowardin: PEM1A, PEM1C. Soil: Fine-loamy over sandy or sandy skeletal, mixed, calcareous, thermic. Fluvaquentic Haplaquoll. Landform. Ecoregion: Southwestern Tablelands (26). MLRA: Southern High Plains (77E). Water Quality. The water quality on these wetlands is suitable for domestic livestock and wildlife but generally not suitable for human consumption. Land Use. The principal land use associated with this wetland is livestock grazing. Because during most years these wetlands produce more lush forage than surrounding areas, the concentration of animals can quickly result in overgrazing and severe erosion problems. Some areas of this wetland have been established in improved pasture, but there is very little crop production because of the flood hazard. Wetland Dependant Wildlife Species Mammals: Red bat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, red-breasted merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, sora, American coot, sandhill crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, black-necked stilt, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, snowy owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, red-eared turtle, spiny softshell turtle, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake. Amphibians: Barred tiger salamander, Woodhouse’s toad, Bullfrog, plains leopard frog. Fish: Largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, mosquitofish. 49 Cloud Creek Riparian Corridor Site Washita County Location. The Cloud Creek Riparian Corridor Wetland represents sites on stream systems in southwestern Oklahoma. It is five miles east and four miles south of Cordell on Highway 152. This reference location is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 35° 14' 13". Longitude: 98° 54' 44". Legal: NE SW SE Sec 20 T9N R16W. General Description. This reference site represents wetlands occurring primarily on small drainage systems in erosional uplands in southwestern Oklahoma. The continual influx of sediment results in poorly-defined channels and a vegetative community that is in a constant state of regeneration. Many of these areas have been converted to crop production and/or livestock grazing, but a rising water table, due to channel siltation, tends to convert these areas to a natural wetland state. These wetlands are typically long and narrow in shape, and range from 10 to more than 100 acres in size. 50 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of black willow, tamarisk and cottonwood with a sparse understory of cattails and sedges. When disturbed by cultivation or sedimentation, these areas convert to willow or cottonwood thickets with an understory of smartweed, sumpweed and cockleburs. Hydrology. These wetlands receive their water from surface runoff. The contributing drainage area has a low gradient and runoff enters the system slowly. Sediment accumulation in this wetland type is influenced by land use of the adjacent areas. Row crops are typically planted, producing a substantial sediment load into these wetlands. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 10 to 40% black (5YR 2.5/1) organic stains on faces of peds and few (5%) yellowish-red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations (both iron and manganese) in the upper 8 inches of the soil profile. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Another commonly observed indicator is the presence of many partially-decomposed plant materials (roots and stems) in the lower part of the soil profile having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Where sediment has recently been deposited, hydrologic indicators may be absent or difficult to observe. Non-decomposed plant parts below 6 inches in the soil profile indicate that sediment is recent. Soil Description. The Retrop soil series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Retrop soils formed in loamy and clayey sediments deposited on flood plains from adjacent erosional uplands. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of Permian geologic age. These soils are recent in age, many developed since statehood. Soil Profile A1: 0 to 1 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) silt loam; weak, very fine granular structure; few (less than 5%) faint yellowish-red (5YR 4/6) redox concentrations; many fine and very fine roots (matted). A2: 1 to 7 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR 3/2) very fine sandy loam; weak, fine granular structure; many (40%) black (5YR 2.5/1) organic stains on ped faces; few coarse and many medium and fine roots. B: 7 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/4) very fine sandy loam; moderate fine subangular blocky structure; few faint dark red (2.5YR) redox concentrations; few medium and coarse roots. 51 Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C. Soil: Fine-silty, mixed, superactive, calcareous, thermic. Oxyaquic Udifluvent. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Plains (78C). Water Quality. These wetlands contain water in sufficient quantity for domestic uses, but shallow depth and runoff from adjacent crop lands generally make an undependable water supply for domestic uses. Landuse. This wetland type is typically used for livestock water and recreation. The adjacent areas are typically used for corn, soybean or alfalfa hay production, or as improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Blanchard’s cricket frog, plains leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish. 52 Location. This reference wetland is located near Fort Cobb Lake on a golf course. Latitude: 35° 10' 47". Longitude: 98° 26 ' 35". Legal: NE SE Sec 10 T8N R12W. General Description. This site represents wetlands found in sediment choked, narrow streams with small drainage areas. These wetlands are recent in age, many less than 100 years old. The influx of sediment keeps the vegetative community in a constant state of regeneration. These wetlands are generally long and narrow in shape, and range from 5 to 75 acres in size. Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of black willow with an understory of arrowhead, rice cutgrass, Pennsylvania smartweed and scouring rush. In areas that pond water, the sites may be dominated by cattail and lotus. When disturbed, these areas convert to willow or cottonwood thickets, with an understory of smartweed, sumpweed and cockleburs. Fort Cobb State Park Riparian Corridor Site Caddo County 53 Hydrology. Frequent seasonal floods and subsurface water tables provide water for these wetlands. Most floods are of short duration, often lasting less than 24 hours. Depressions within this wetland type may pond water for greater than a month. Stream channels within this wetland are generally filled with sediment and are characterized by a braided stream pattern. Water tables are present during the late winter, early spring and summer and range in depth from the surface to a depth of 3 feet below the soil surface. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are 15 to 60% redox concentration (both iron and manganese) in the upper eight inches of the soil profile. Some profiles have few 2 to 5% redox depletions within 20 inches of the surface. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Another commonly observed indicator is the presence of many partially decomposed plant materials (roots and stems) in the lower part of the soil profile having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Where sediment has recently been deposited, hydrologic indicators may be absent or difficult to observe. Indications that sediment is recent include non-decomposed plant parts below 6 inches in the soil profile. Soil Description. The Gracemont soil series is the principal hydric soil on this wetland type. Gracemont soils formed in loamy sediments deposited on flood plains from adjacent erosional uplands. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of Permian geologic age. These soils are recent in age. Soil Profile A1: 0-4 inches, reddish brown (5YR4/4) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; many (60%) reddish yellow (5YR5/6) redox concentrations; many fine and medium roots. A1: 4-8 inches, dark brown (7.5YR 4/2) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; many (15%) redox concentrations (manganese) on faces of peds; many fine and medium roots. C: 8-20 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/4) very fine sandy loam; massive; few (<5%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations on ped faces; many partially decomposed roots below 16 inches having a characteristic charcoal appearance. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A. Soil: Coarse-loamy, mixed, superactive, calcareous, thermic. Oxyaquic Udifluvent. 54 Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Prairies (80A). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes, but the dependability and quality of the water make it insufficient for human consumption. Land Use This wetland type is usually used for livestock production. In some cases these areas become drained as a result of stream channelization after which pasture grasses are established. Some areas are sufficiently drained to allow limited crop production. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland, rangeland or improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad , Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, plains leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum. 55 Little Sahara Riparian Corridor Site Woods County Location. This reference wetland is located one-quarter mile north of the Cimarron River bridge on the east side of State Highway 281. This reference wetland is on private property; no access without permission. Latitude: 36° 30' 36". Longitude: 98° 52' 58". Legal: SW SE Sec. 26 T24N R16W. General Description. This wetland represents those found on large rivers and major tributaries in the Central Rolling Red Plains. These wetlands are recent in age and have formed under unstable conditions. Recent depositions of sediment, by both wind and water erosion, have blocked drainage and created the depressional areas that define these wetlands. These wetlands are characteristically found on the back side of flood plains and are long and narrow in shape. Vegetative Community. The vegetation on these wetlands are characteristic of recently developed, emergent wetlands with torrey rush, three square bulrush, spike rush, water primrose, buttonbush and switch grass dominating the area. 56 When overgrazed or disturbed those areas become dominated by spike rush. Hydrology. The water source for these wetlands are frequent, short duration floods and subsurface water. Flooding fills the depressions while the availability of subsurface water is affected by the degree of stratification of depositional soil materials. The most consistent water tables are associated with clay strata that help perch the water near the surface. Water table depth ranges from the surface to 1 1/2 feet deep with the highest water tables occurring during the early spring months of March, April and May. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary indicators found in this wetland are common redox concentrations occurring as manganese stains with few faint iron redox concentrations. The surface layer is high in organic matter streaking of organic matter into the underlying horizon is common. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres in the upper 4 inches of soil. This wetland commonly ponds water and the water table ranges from 6 to 12 inches below the surface from spring through early summer. Soil Description. The Ezell series is the principal soil in this wetland type. Ezell soils formed in sandy sediments of the Pleistocene geologic age. These sediments have been deposited by both water and wind on the major river systems through the central rolling red plains. The surface layer of this soil is high in organic matter. These soils have sandy subsurface layers that are often stratified with more clayey textures. Soil Profile A: 0 to 5 inches, black (7.5YR 2/1) loamy fine sand; weak very fine granular structure; many (20%) manganese redox concentrations. C1: 5 to 14 inches, brown (7.5YR 4/6) loamy fine sand; massive; few (2%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations; water table at 14 inches. C2: 14-20 inches, strong brown (7.5YR 5/6) fine sand; massive; structureless. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A. Soil: Sandy, mixed, thermic. Aeric Fluvaquent. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Great Plains (27). MLRA: Central Rolling Red Plains (78C). 57 Water Quality. The water quality on these sites is insufficient for human consumption, generally containing too many total dissolved solids. Land Use. This wetland type is typically used for livestock grazing. Some areas have been drained and used for improved pasture and limited crop production, but frequent floods and deposition of sediment makes crop production impractical for most areas. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Cave myotis, western pipistrel, eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, least bittern, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, hooded merganser, redhead, canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, rough-legged hawk, king rail, common gallinule (moorhen), sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, whimbrel, long-billed curlew, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, yellow mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, rough green snake, blotched water snake, diamondback water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, western plains garter snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, plains leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, fathead minnow, brook silverside, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, common carp, freshwater drum. 58 Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area Riparian Corridor Site Okmulgee County Location. This reference wetland is on a portion of the of the Deep Fork of the Canadian River system. It is located three and one-half miles west and two and one-half miles north of Okmulgee on the Okmulgee Wildlife Management Area. This reference wetland location is on state property. Latitude: 35° 39' 28" Longitude: 96° 02' 19". Legal: SE SE NW SE Sec. 28 T14N R12E General Description. This reference wetland is representative of areas bordering the Deep Fork River and its main tributaries in the east central part of Oklahoma. These wetlands typically are on the back side of broad flood plains and on depression or concave surfaces. Sediment loading is limited to large flood events. This wetland land form is characterized by a series of oval to oblong depressions, separated by slightly higher (less than 0.5 feet) ridges of sandy soil materials. Surface water accumulation is from both out-of-bank flooding and runoff from adjacent uplands. Groundwater tables are near the surface during the winter and early spring. 59 Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an overstory of green ash, pecan, Shumard oak, pin oak, bur oak, elm, and black willow with an understory of broadleaf uniola, sedges, and wild rye. When disturbed, these areas convert to black willow and green ash with an understory of sedges and annual grasses such as green spangletop. Curly dock and cocklebur are common in abandoned cropland areas. Hydrology. The water source for these wetlands is provided by frequent floods of short to long duration and ground water tables. Water tables range in depth from above the surface on ponded areas to 2 feet below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the winter and early spring months. Subsurface water typically moves through the large cracks and between the structural units of the clay soils. These areas often have sandy surface layers near channel banks that are slightly higher and more well drained. Hydrologic Indicators. These soils have formed in red parent materials from the Permian geologic period. Hydrologic indicators in the soil are often faint or absent. Where visible, the primary hydrologic indicators are 5 to 35 % redox concentrations (both iron and manganese) and redox depletions within 8 inches of the surface. Secondary indicators are the presence of oxidized rhizospheres. Another commonly observed indicator is the presence of partially decomposed plant materials (roots and stems) in the soil profile that have a characteristic charcoal appearance. Other indicators are the presence of water stained leaves in depressional areas that pond water for the longest periods of time, and fluted and buttressed tree trunks. High water marks and debris lines at the four to six foot level are common on trees near larger rivers. Soil Description. The Ustibuck soil series is the principal hydric soil series that forms this wetland type. Ustibuck soils formed in clay sediments deposited on depressional areas of flood plains where fine silts and clay sediments have had time to filter out. The depositional materials that form this soil are red sediments from sandstones and shales of Permian geologic age. These soils have developed under a steady influx of sediments and are recent in age. They typically have dark, reddish brown clay surface layers and reddish brown subsoils. The presence of redox features depends on the age of the soils and the duration of saturation. 60 Soil Profile A1: 0 to 8 inches, dark reddish brown (5YR3/3) clay; strong fine granular structure; hard, firm; many fine and medium roots. B: 8 to 20 inches, reddish brown (5YR 4/4) clay; moderate medium and fine blocky structure; extremely hard, very firm; many (30%) yellowish red (5YR 5/6) redox concentrations and many (35%) reddish gray redox depletions; common medium and coarse roots. Classifications Cowardin: PFO1A, PFO1C, PEM1A, PEM1C. Soil: Fine, smectic, thermic. Ustic Eqiaquert. Landform. Ecoregion: Central Oklahoma/Texas Plains (29). MLRA: Arkansas Valley and Ridges (118B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables do not produce enough water for domestic purposes. Water tables are seasonal and the groundwater often contains excessive salinity. Landuse. This wetland type is often converted to livestock production. Areas are sometimes drained by channelization and diking, and pasture grasses are established. Some areas are sufficiently drained so that limited crop production can occur. When cleared or diked areas are abandoned, green ash, cottonwood, black willow, curly dock, smartweed and annual grasses predominate. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are commonly used for cropland, rangeland or improved pasture. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, big brown bat, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Eared grebe, horned grebe, pied-billed grebe, American white pelican, double-crested cormorant, great blue heron, American bittern, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white-faced ibis, green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, ruddy duck, cinnamon teal, pintail, blue-winged teal, white-fronted goose, gadwall, red-winged blackbird, snow goose, Canada goose, wood duck, mallard, ring-necked duck, lesser scaup, greater scaup, hooded merganser, redhead canvasback, common goldeneye, bufflehead, common merganser, osprey, bald eagle, marsh hawk/northern harrier, red-shouldered hawk, rough-legged hawk, Virginia rail, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), American coot, sandhill crane, whooping crane, black-bellied plover, semipalmated plover, American avocet, solitary sandpiper, lesser yellowlegs, greater yellowlegs, willet, long-billed curlew, marbled godwit, Hudsonian godwit, Franklin’s gull, black tern, great horned owl, barred owl, short-eared owl, belted kingfisher, red-bellied woodpecker, alder flycatcher, willow flycatcher, white-eyed vireo, Bell’s vireo, fish crow, tree swallow, veery. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, yellow mud turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, midland water snake, northern water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, western hogsnake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown 61 snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Barred tiger salamander, smallmouth salamander, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, plains leopard frog, southern leopard frog, bullfrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, common carp, smallmouth buffalo, freshwater drum, river carp sucker, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, blackstripe topminnow, brook silverside, slough darter. 62 Wetland Type: Swamp Swamps, Bogs, and Marshes are forested habitats on low, frequently-inundated flood plains in the southeastern part of the state. Soils are saturated and surface water stands well into the growing season. The understory vegetation is typically rushes and sedges, with an overstory of bald cypress, overcup oak, and willow oak. 63 Grassy Slough WRP Swamp/Emergent Marsh Site McCurtain County Location. This reference wetland is located one mile west and one-half mile north of Pollard in McCurtain County. This reference location is on private property that is protected by a permanent easement through the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP); no access without permission. Latitude: 33° 48' 06". Longitude: 94° 44' 22". Legal: NW SE SE NW Sec 6 T9S R25E. General Description. This site represents wetlands found on small streams in the Western Coastal Plains MLRA in the southeastern part of Oklahoma. They typically are on lower flood plains. These wetlands are very stable when left undisturbed, but any alteration of the vegetation, surface drainage or land use on adjacent areas can quickly affect them by increasing the sediment load and restricting surface and subsurface flow rates. This wetland landform is characterized by narrow bands of flood plains that dissect the adjacent sandy and loamy uplands. Groundwater accumulation is from infiltration through adjacent uplands and low gradient flow through the flood plain itself. 64 Groundwater tables are at or above the surface during most of the year. Vegetative Community. Vegetation typically found on these sites is an emergent shrub/scrub community of alder with a herbaceous community of tearthumb, smartweed, rice cutgrass and water primrose. These areas have a shrub layer of buttonbush. Hydrology. The water sources for these wetlands are surface water that enters the stream system from numerous small local watersheds and ground water that has infiltrated the adjacent upslope areas, and from numerous seeps and springs. Water tables range in depth from 3 feet above the surface to 6 inches below the surface, with the highest levels occurring during the fall through early summer. Subsurface water typically moves throughout the soils. Hydrologic Indicators. Primary hydrologic indicators are a thin muck surface layer and gleyed subsurface layers with common to many redox concentrations. These soils contain few to many (5 to 30%) redox concentrations in the mineral portion, distributed on structural faces of soil peds. Soil Description. The Bibb series is the principle hydric soil found on these wetland areas. These soils formed in sandy and loamy alluvial sediments deposited on flood plains from the adjacent erosional uplands. These soils have thin muck layers overlaying dark brown fine sandy loam mineral surface layers and gray fine sandy loam subsoil layers. The alluvial materials that form these soils are brown sediments of the Cretaceous geologic age. These soils are recent in age. Soil Profile O: 0 to 1 inch, very dark gray (10YR 3/0) decomposed (>80%) organic material; structureless. A1: 1 to 14 inches, dark brown (7.5YR3/4) fine sandy loam; weak fine granular structure; many (30%) strong brown (7YR 4/6, 5/6) redox concentrations on structural faces of soil peds; soft, very friable; many fine roots in surface matte. C1g: 6 to 14 inches, gray (5Y5/1) fine sandy loam; weak coarse subangular blocky structure; common (5%) strong brown (7.5YR 5/ 6) redox concentrations on faces of soil structural units; soft, very friable; few medium course roots. Classifications Cowardin: PEM1C, PEM1A, PFO1C, PFO1A. Soil: Coarse-loamy, siliceous, active, acid, thermic. Typic Fluvaquent. 65 Landform. Ecoregion: South Central Plains (35). MLRA: Western Coastal Plains (133B). Water Quality. Shallow groundwater tables produce enough water for domestic purposes. Landuse. This wetland type is often used for livestock grazing, timber and wildlife habitat. Areas are sometimes drained by clearing and channelization, and pasture grasses such as Bermuda grass are established. The frequent flooding restricts the use of these soils for crop production. There is some limited pine in areas where there have been adequate drainage measures installed. Areas adjacent to these wetlands are also commonly used for woodland or wildlife habitat. Wetland Dependent Wildlife Species Mammals: Eastern pipistrel, red bat, evening bat, raccoon, swamp rabbit, beaver, muskrat. Birds: Anhinga, great blue heron, green heron, great egret, little blue heron, snowy egret, yellow-crowned night heron, black-crowned night heron, white ibis, wood stork, red-winged blackbird, king rail, sora, purple gallinule, common gallinule (moorhen), great horned owl, barred owl, belted kingfisher, fish crow, wood duck, mallard. Reptiles: Common snapping turtle, common musk turtle, Mississippi mud turtle, Missouri River cooter, red-eared turtle, midland smooth softshell turtle, spiny softshell turtle, five-lined skink, broadhead skink, rough green snake, yellowbelly water snake, midland water snake, diamondback water snake, broadbanded water snake, eastern hognose snake, great plains rat snake, speckled kingsnake, Graham’s crayfish snake, brown snake, western ribbon snake, common garter snake, copperhead, western cottonmouth, western pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake. Amphibians: Central newt, Red River mudpuppy, marbled salamander, spotted salamander, smallmouth salamander, slimy salamander complex, dwarf American toad, Woodhouse’s toad, Cope’s gray treefrog, gray treefrog, Blanchard’s cricket frog, western chorus frog, bronze frog, green frog, southern leopard frog, many ribbed salamander, four-toed salamander, green treefrog, bird-voiced treefrog. Fish: Mosquitofish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, green sunfish, orange-spotted sunfish, warmouth, black crappie, white crappie, blue gill, redear sunfish, blackstripe topminnow, red shiner, golden shiner, bullhead minnow, brook silverside, blackspotted topminnow, yellow bullhead and black bullhead catfish, channel catfish, longnose gar, shortnose gar, spotted gar, alligator gar pirate perch, grass pickerel, bowfin. 66 Little River National Wildlife Refuge Swamp/Marsh Site McCurtain County Location. Th |
Date created | 2011-07-11 |
Date modified | 2011-07-11 |