The Vigil Network
East Fork Sarpy Creek: Site Information

Data Files:

• University of Montana Yellowstone Vigil Network Sites
• Site Information
• Cross Sections
• Vegetation Transects
• Topographic Map Showing Site Location (88 KB)
• Close-Up Topographic Map Showing Site Location (78 KB)
• Explanation of Symbols on Planetable Map (27 KB)
• Photograph RL-2 FM-14 MY-4 (30 KB)
• Photograph RL-2 FM-16 MY-4 (25 KB)
• Photograph RL-2 FM-17 MY-4 (22 KB)
• Photograph RL-2 FM-18 MY-4 (30 KB)
• Photograph RL-2 FM-19 MY-4 (36 KB)
• Photograph RL-5 FM-15 MY-4 (34 KB)
• Photograph RL-5 FM-16 MY-4 (31 KB)
• Photograph RL-5 FM-17 MY-4 (34 KB)
• Photograph RL-5 FM-18 MY-4 (38 KB)
• Negatives for Roll 2, Frames 14-20 and Roll 5, Frames 15-18 (26 KB)
• East Fork Sarpy Creek Site Index Card
• Vigil Network Home Page

EAST FORK SARPY CREEK
Redding Ranch
Site # MY - 4

Site Location

To reach Site # MY - 4, go about 100 meters upstream from the second bridge after the intersection of 384 with the road to Colstrip and Hysham.

Site Discussion

The east fork of Sarpy Creek in the reach of this Vigil site is incised below two distinct terrace levels. Benchmarks one through seven are all sited on the upper terrace which extends 100 meters or more away from the stream on either side. The second (lower) terrace is well developed only on the left bank adjacent to the line of cross-section BM 3 - BM 4. Possibly a third terrace (lowest) is poorly developed on the left bank just downstream from the line of cross-section BM 5 - BM 6.

For three to six meters on either side of the stream (with the exception of the left bank near cross-section BM 1 - BM 2) the land slopes gently upward (concave to sky) from near the water's surface. This is the case even on the outside of the sharp meander in cross-section BM 5 - BM 6. This Vigil site is very green and contains dense populations of grasses and some herbs. Sedges are present along the water's edge and rushes occur locally in the water, nearly choking the channel in some sections.

Interestingly, the second terrace is vegetated with abundant stands of sage and sawgrass. The steep banks are vegetated with grasses and herbs except for the cutbank which extends about 20 meters downstream and 10 meters upstream from cross-section BM 5 - BM 6. This bank, which is sparsely vegetated and which shows evidence of recent slumping, apparently is the result of stream undercutting.

There are no trees growing along the channel in this Vigil site reach.

The stream water is clear with patches of algae growing to the surface and a thick mat of other aquatic plants growing along and covering about half of the stream bed.

Site # MY - 4 was surveyed 2 August 1975.

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