Background:
The Power Fire Road reconstruction project proposes to replace or reconstruct culverts and water control structures on roads along drainages affected by the 2004 Power Fire that burned 16,933 acres. The power fire is located in southwest corner of the Amador District of the Eldorado National Forest (Figure 1).
Within the Power Fire, there are several perennial rivers and streams including East Panther Creek, Camp Creek, Green Creek, Beaver Creek, Bear River, Cole Creek and the North Fork of Mokelumne River. These streams and rivers incorporate 18 miles of perennial and 26 miles of seasonal streams. The fire perimeter includes meadows, springs and waterholes that exist within the elevation range of 3,100 to 6,792 feet above sea level. The climate in this area is characterized by warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters with an annual average rainfall of 45 inches. The plant communities within the fire area include white fir-dominated mixed conifer, red fir and canyon live oak-hardwood. In addition to consuming more than 180 million board feet of economically viable timber, the fire caused significant environmental damage, including degradation of aquatic habitats and roads.
Read the full report here: Power Fire Culvert Project