Eldorado National Forest: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|U.S. National Forest in California designated in 1910}} |
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{{Infobox protected area |
{{Infobox protected area |
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| name = Eldorado National Forest |
| name = Eldorado National Forest |
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| iucn_category = VI |
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| photo = Eldorado NF - trail to Winnemucca Lake.jpg |
| photo = Eldorado NF - trail to Winnemucca Lake.jpg |
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| photo_caption = |
| photo_caption = |
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| location = [[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado]], [[Amador County, California|Amador]], [[Alpine County, California|Alpine]], [[Placer County, California|Placer]] counties, [[California]], and [[Douglas County, Nevada|Douglas County]], [[Nevada]], United States |
| location = [[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado]], [[Amador County, California|Amador]], [[Alpine County, California|Alpine]], [[Placer County, California|Placer]] counties, [[California]], and [[Douglas County, Nevada|Douglas County]], [[Nevada]], United States |
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| nearest_city = [[Placerville, CA]] |
| nearest_city = [[Placerville, CA]] |
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| coordinates = {{coords|38 |
| coordinates = {{coords|38|45|N|120|20|W|region:US|format=dms|display=inline, title}} |
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| |
| area_acre = 596724 |
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| established = July 28, 1910 |
| established = July 28, 1910 |
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| visitation_num = |
| visitation_num = |
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}} |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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[[File:Eldorado National Forest.jpg|thumb|left|A panorama from a trail within the forest]] |
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⚫ | Most of the forest (72.8%) lies in [[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado County]]. In descending order of land area the others counties are: [[Amador County, California|Amador]], [[Alpine County, California|Alpine]], and [[Placer County, California|Placer]] counties in California; and [[Douglas County, Nevada|Douglas County]] in Nevada with {{convert|78|acre|m2}}.<ref>[http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/lar/2008/TABLE_6.htm Table 6 - NFS Acreage by State, Congressional District, and County, 30 September 2008]</ref> The forest is bordered on the north by the [[Tahoe National Forest]], on the east by the [[Lake Tahoe]] Basin Management Unit, on the southeast by the [[ |
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⚫ | Most of the forest (72.8%) lies in [[El Dorado County, California|El Dorado County]]. In descending order of land area the others counties are: [[Amador County, California|Amador]], [[Alpine County, California|Alpine]], and [[Placer County, California|Placer]] counties in California; and [[Douglas County, Nevada|Douglas County]] in Nevada with {{convert|78|acre|m2}}.<ref>[http://www.fs.fed.us/land/staff/lar/2008/TABLE_6.htm Table 6 - NFS Acreage by State, Congressional District, and County, 30 September 2008]</ref> The forest is bordered on the north by the [[Tahoe National Forest]], on the east by the [[Lake Tahoe]] Basin Management Unit, on the southeast by the [[Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest]], and to the south by the [[Stanislaus National Forest]]. |
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Eldorado National Forest headquarters are located in [[Placerville, California]]. There are local ranger district offices in [[Camino, California|Camino]], [[Georgetown, California|Georgetown]], [[Pioneer, California|Pioneer]], and [[Pollock Pines, California|Pollock Pines]].<ref> |
Eldorado National Forest headquarters are located in [[Placerville, California]]. There are local ranger district offices in [[Camino, California|Camino]], [[Georgetown, California|Georgetown]], [[Pioneer, California|Pioneer]], and [[Pollock Pines, California|Pollock Pines]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ufwda.org/pdfs/USDAForestServiceRangerDistricts.pdf |title=USFS Ranger Districts by State |access-date=2009-05-20 |archive-date=2012-01-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119235755/http://www.ufwda.org/pdfs/USDAForestServiceRangerDistricts.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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===Land ownership=== |
===Land ownership=== |
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A complicated ownership pattern exists. The parcels of |
A complicated ownership pattern exists. The parcels of other ownership (private or other agency land) are mostly isolated and surrounded on all sides by government land. An opposite pattern occurs outside of the forest boundary, where several small scattered pieces of national forest lands are separated from the main body and surrounded by lands of other ownership. |
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* Gross area: 786,994 acres (3,185 km²) |
* Gross area: 786,994 acres (3,185 km²) |
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* Other ownership: 190,270 acres (770 km²) |
* Other ownership: 190,270 acres (770 km²) |
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===Elevations=== |
===Elevations=== |
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The |
The forest ranges in elevation from {{convert|1000|ft}} in the [[foothills]] to more than {{convert|10000|ft}} above sea level along the Sierra crest. The mountainous [[topography]] is broken by the steep [[canyon]]s of the [[Mokelumne River|Mokelumne]], [[Cosumnes River|Cosumnes]], [[American River|American]], and [[Rubicon River (California)|Rubicon]] rivers. [[Plateau]]s of generally moderate relief are located between these steep canyons. |
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===Wilderness areas=== |
===Wilderness areas=== |
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The [[Desolation Wilderness]] is located within the forest's boundaries, as is most of the [[Mokelumne Wilderness]] (which extends into neighboring [[Stanislaus National Forest]] and |
The [[Desolation Wilderness]] is located within the forest's boundaries, as is most of the [[Mokelumne Wilderness]] (which extends into neighboring [[Stanislaus National Forest]] and Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest). |
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==Climate== |
==Climate== |
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A cool montane version of [[Mediterranean climate]] extends over most of the forest with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. |
A cool montane version of [[Mediterranean climate]] extends over most of the forest, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters. |
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* Annual precipitation: {{convert|40|to|70|in}} |
* Annual precipitation: {{convert|40|to|70|in}} on average. |
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** Precipitation falls mainly from October through April. |
** Precipitation falls mainly from October through April. |
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* Temperature range: 0 °F (-20 °C) in winter to 100 °F (38 °C) in the summer. |
* Temperature range: 0 °F (-20 °C) in winter to 100 °F (38 °C) in the summer. |
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* Snow pack: {{convert|5|to|10|ft}} |
* Snow pack: {{convert|5|to|10|ft}} on average, can be as high as {{convert|15|ft}}. |
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** Snow is present from December to May at elevations above 6,000 feet (1,800 m). |
** Snow is present from December to May at elevations above 6,000 feet (1,800 m). |
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===Vegetation=== |
===Vegetation=== |
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A wide variety of [[hardwood]]s, [[conifer]]s, [[shrub]]s, native [[ |
A wide variety of [[hardwood]]s, [[conifer]]s, [[shrub]]s, native [[Graminoid|grasses]], and [[forb]]s are represented in the various Eldorado National Forest [[ecosystem]]s. |
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The |
The principal [[Plant community|plant communities]] found here are: |
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*[[California interior chaparral and woodlands|Interior chaparral]] |
*[[California interior chaparral and woodlands|Interior chaparral]] |
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*[[California oak woodland|Oak woodland]]s |
*[[California oak woodland|Oak woodland]]s |
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*[[Sierra Nevada lower montane forest|Lower Montane forest]] — [[indicator species]]: ''[[Pinus ponderosa]]'' |
*[[Sierra Nevada lower montane forest|Lower Montane forest]] — [[indicator species]]: ''[[Pinus ponderosa]]'', ''[[Pinus jeffreyi]]'' |
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*[[List of plants of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)#Upper Montane Forest|Upper Montane forest]] — indicator species: ''[[Abies magnifica]]'' |
*[[List of plants of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)#Upper Montane Forest|Upper Montane forest]] — indicator species: ''[[Abies magnifica]]'' |
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*[[Sierra Nevada subalpine zone|Subalpine zone]]. |
*[[Sierra Nevada subalpine zone|Subalpine zone]]. |
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| publisher = [[United States Forest Service]], Pacific Southwest Region |
| publisher = [[United States Forest Service]], Pacific Southwest Region |
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}}</ref> |
}}</ref> |
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:Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests |
:Sierra Nevada [[Mixed coniferous forest|mixed conifer forests]] |
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*[[Coast Douglas-fir]] (''Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii'') |
*[[Coast Douglas-fir]] (''Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii'') |
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*[[Ponderosa Pine]] (''Pinus ponderosa'') |
*[[Ponderosa Pine|Ponderosa pine]] (''Pinus ponderosa'') |
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*[[White Fir]] (''Abies concolor'') |
*[[White Fir|White fir]] (''Abies concolor'') |
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:''and'' |
:''and'' |
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*[[Lodgepole Pine]] (''Pinus contorta'') forests |
*[[Lodgepole Pine|Lodgepole pine]] (''Pinus contorta'') forests |
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*[[Red Fir]] (''Abies magnifica'') forests |
*[[Red Fir|Red fir]] (''Abies magnifica'') forests |
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====Logging==== |
====Logging==== |
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The major commercial |
The major commercial forest species are white fir, red fir, ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, [[Sugar Pine|sugar pine]], [[Douglas fir]], and [[Incense-cedar|incense cedar]]. |
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==Water== |
==Water== |
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Water is a major resource of the Eldorado National Forest. The forest receives about {{convert|56|in}} of [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] annually. Average annual runoff is about {{convert|29|in}}. This is equal to an annual water yield of {{convert|2.4|acre.ft|m3|lk=in}} per acre (737,000 m³/km²); therefore National Forest lands yield an estimated {{convert|1,444,000|acre.ft|m3|lk=in}} annually. |
Water is a major resource of the Eldorado National Forest. The forest receives about {{convert|56|in}} of [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] annually. Average annual [[Surface runoff|runoff]] is about {{convert|29|in}}. This is equal to an annual water yield of {{convert|2.4|acre.ft|m3|lk=in}} per acre (737,000 m³/km²); therefore National Forest lands yield an estimated {{convert|1,444,000|acre.ft|m3|lk=in}} annually. |
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* {{convert|611|mi}} |
* {{convert|611|mi}} of [[fishing|fishable]] [[stream]]s in four major drainage systems: Middle Fork of the [[American River]] (including the Rubicon), South Fork of the American River, Cosumnes River, and North Fork of the Mokelumne River. |
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* 297 [[lake]]s and [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]] (including both public and private land), which total 11,994 acres (48.5 km²). 11 large reservoirs account for 9,000 acres (36 km²). The rest are mostly small, high mountain lakes. |
* 297 [[lake]]s and [[reservoir (water)|reservoirs]] (including both public and private land), which total 11,994 acres (48.5 km²). 11 large reservoirs account for 9,000 acres (36 km²). The rest are mostly small, high mountain lakes. |
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==Transportation== |
==Transportation== |
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The Eldorado National Forest has a high density of transportation routes, with {{convert|2367|mi}} |
The Eldorado National Forest has a high density of transportation routes, with {{convert|2367|mi}} of roads, and {{convert|349|mi}} of trails. Roads under Forest Service jurisdiction total {{convert|2158|mi|km}}. There are {{convert|209|mi}} of county roads, and {{convert|400|mi}} of private roads within the National Forest boundaries. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The forest was established on July 28, 1910 from a portion of [[Tahoe National Forest]] and other lands.<ref>{{ |
The forest was established on July 28, 1910, from a portion of [[Tahoe National Forest]] and other lands.<ref>{{cite web |author=Davis, Richard C. |date=September 29, 2005 |title=National Forests of the United States {{small|(341 KB)}} |url=http://www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/places/National%20Forests%20of%20the%20U.S.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028014355/http://www.foresthistory.org/ASPNET/Places/National%20Forests%20of%20the%20U.S.pdf |archive-date=October 28, 2012 |access-date=August 13, 2011 |publisher=[[The Forest History Society]]}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[List of national forests of the United States]] |
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*[[List of plants of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)]] |
*[[List of plants of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)]] |
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*[[:Category:Fauna of the Sierra Nevada ( |
*[[:Category:Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States)]] |
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The forest was formed by the last ice age. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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{{Commons category}} |
{{Commons category}} |
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* |
*{{Official website|http://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado}} |
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*[http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/eldorado-national-forest-outdoor-pp2-guide-cid8979.html Gorp.com: Eldorado National Forest] |
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100507092210/http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/eldorado-national-forest-outdoor-pp2-guide-cid8979.html Gorp.com: Eldorado National Forest] |
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{{Sierra Nevada}} |
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{{Protected areas of California|NF}} |
{{Protected areas of California|NF}} |
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{{National Forests of the United States}} |
{{National Forests of the United States}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Eldorado National Forest| ]] |
[[Category:Eldorado National Forest| ]] |
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[[Category:National |
[[Category:National forests of California]] |
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[[Category:National |
[[Category:National forests of Nevada]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas of the Sierra Nevada ( |
[[Category:Protected areas of the Sierra Nevada (United States)]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas of El Dorado County, California]] |
[[Category:Protected areas of El Dorado County, California]] |
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[[Category:Protected areas of Alpine County, California]] |
[[Category:Protected areas of Alpine County, California]] |
Latest revision as of 01:03, 8 October 2024
Eldorado National Forest | |
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Location | El Dorado, Amador, Alpine, Placer counties, California, and Douglas County, Nevada, United States |
Nearest city | Placerville, CA |
Coordinates | 38°45′N 120°20′W / 38.750°N 120.333°W |
Area | 596,724 acres (2,414.86 km2) |
Established | July 28, 1910 |
Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
Website | Eldorado National Forest |
Eldorado National Forest is a U.S. National Forest located in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range, in eastern California.
Geography
[edit]Most of the forest (72.8%) lies in El Dorado County. In descending order of land area the others counties are: Amador, Alpine, and Placer counties in California; and Douglas County in Nevada with 78 acres (320,000 m2).[1] The forest is bordered on the north by the Tahoe National Forest, on the east by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, on the southeast by the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, and to the south by the Stanislaus National Forest.
Eldorado National Forest headquarters are located in Placerville, California. There are local ranger district offices in Camino, Georgetown, Pioneer, and Pollock Pines.[2]
Land ownership
[edit]A complicated ownership pattern exists. The parcels of other ownership (private or other agency land) are mostly isolated and surrounded on all sides by government land. An opposite pattern occurs outside of the forest boundary, where several small scattered pieces of national forest lands are separated from the main body and surrounded by lands of other ownership.
- Gross area: 786,994 acres (3,185 km²)
- Other ownership: 190,270 acres (770 km²)
- Net area: 596,724 acres (2,415 km²)
Elevations
[edit]The forest ranges in elevation from 1,000 feet (300 m) in the foothills to more than 10,000 feet (3,000 m) above sea level along the Sierra crest. The mountainous topography is broken by the steep canyons of the Mokelumne, Cosumnes, American, and Rubicon rivers. Plateaus of generally moderate relief are located between these steep canyons.
Wilderness areas
[edit]The Desolation Wilderness is located within the forest's boundaries, as is most of the Mokelumne Wilderness (which extends into neighboring Stanislaus National Forest and Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest).
Climate
[edit]A cool montane version of Mediterranean climate extends over most of the forest, with warm, dry summers and cold, wet winters.
- Annual precipitation: 40 to 70 inches (1,000 to 1,800 mm) on average.
- Precipitation falls mainly from October through April.
- Temperature range: 0 °F (-20 °C) in winter to 100 °F (38 °C) in the summer.
- Snow pack: 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3.0 m) on average, can be as high as 15 feet (4.6 m).
- Snow is present from December to May at elevations above 6,000 feet (1,800 m).
Ecology
[edit]Vegetation
[edit]A wide variety of hardwoods, conifers, shrubs, native grasses, and forbs are represented in the various Eldorado National Forest ecosystems.
The principal plant communities found here are:
- Interior chaparral
- Oak woodlands
- Lower Montane forest — indicator species: Pinus ponderosa, Pinus jeffreyi
- Upper Montane forest — indicator species: Abies magnifica
- Subalpine zone.
Old-growth forests totaling 122,000 acres (49,000 ha) have been identified in the Eldorado National Forest, consisting of:[3]
- Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests
- Coast Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii)
- Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
- White fir (Abies concolor)
- and
- Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests
- Red fir (Abies magnifica) forests
Logging
[edit]The major commercial forest species are white fir, red fir, ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, sugar pine, Douglas fir, and incense cedar.
Water
[edit]Water is a major resource of the Eldorado National Forest. The forest receives about 56 inches (1,400 mm) of precipitation annually. Average annual runoff is about 29 inches (740 mm). This is equal to an annual water yield of 2.4 acre-feet (3,000 m3) per acre (737,000 m³/km²); therefore National Forest lands yield an estimated 1,444,000 acre-feet (1.781×109 m3) annually.
- 611 miles (983 km) of fishable streams in four major drainage systems: Middle Fork of the American River (including the Rubicon), South Fork of the American River, Cosumnes River, and North Fork of the Mokelumne River.
- 297 lakes and reservoirs (including both public and private land), which total 11,994 acres (48.5 km²). 11 large reservoirs account for 9,000 acres (36 km²). The rest are mostly small, high mountain lakes.
Transportation
[edit]The Eldorado National Forest has a high density of transportation routes, with 2,367 miles (3,809 km) of roads, and 349 miles (562 km) of trails. Roads under Forest Service jurisdiction total 2,158 miles (3,473 km). There are 209 miles (336 km) of county roads, and 400 miles (640 km) of private roads within the National Forest boundaries.
History
[edit]The forest was established on July 28, 1910, from a portion of Tahoe National Forest and other lands.[4]
See also
[edit]- List of national forests of the United States
- List of plants of the Sierra Nevada (U.S.)
- Category:Fauna of the Sierra Nevada (United States)
References
[edit]- ^ Table 6 - NFS Acreage by State, Congressional District, and County, 30 September 2008
- ^ "USFS Ranger Districts by State" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-19. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
- ^ Warbington, Ralph; Beardsley, Debby (2002), 2002 Estimates of Old Growth Forests on the 18 National Forests of the Pacific Southwest Region, United States Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region
- ^ Davis, Richard C. (September 29, 2005). "National Forests of the United States (341 KB)" (PDF). The Forest History Society. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 28, 2012. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
External links
[edit]- Eldorado National Forest
- National forests of California
- National forests of Nevada
- Protected areas of the Sierra Nevada (United States)
- Protected areas of El Dorado County, California
- Protected areas of Alpine County, California
- Protected areas of Amador County, California
- Protected areas of Placer County, California
- Protected areas of Douglas County, Nevada