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Riparian zone of the Shasta River on the Ekstrom Ranch looking upstream. The gallon jugs suspended above the willow starts are an experiment with drip irrigation to help improve survival and growth. 1997.


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This photo shows sandbar willow whips planted directly into a vertical bank just above the water line of the Shasta River on the Ekstrom Ranch. Photo taken in 1997.


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Beaver damage to an old willow tree in the Shasta River riparian zone on the Ekstrom Ranch. The beaver#s favorite food is willow bark, although they may subsist on herbaceous material if necessary.


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This photo shows trees in beaver cages in the riparian zone of the Shasta River on the Ekstrom Ranch. The trees in the foreground are dead likely because of excessive salinity in the soil as evidenced by salt grass, which is also shown in the photo. There are areas of high alkalinity and salinity that occur naturally in some Shasta Valley locations.


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Looking downstream on the Ekstrom Ranch showing dense vegetation in the Shasta River riparian zone in areas where cattle exclusion has taken place. Note the difference in riparian vegetation downstream on the adjacent ranch where cattle have not been fenced out.


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The Ekstrom Ranch is on the near side of the river at the right of the photo with other ownership at left. The exclusion fence on Ekstrom protects riparian. The far side of the river while unfenced is only lightly grazed because it is set aside as a bull pasture.