Logging effects on snow, soil moisture, and water loss
Title | Logging effects on snow, soil moisture, and water loss |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Conference | 1959 |
Authors | Anderson, H. W., and Gleason C. H. |
Conference Name | 27th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Series Title | Proceedings of the 27th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Date Published | April 1959 |
Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
Conference Location | Reno, Nevada |
Keywords | Logging effects, Runoff, Snowmelt, Soil moisture |
Abstract | The results of studies in California on the effects of various types of logging on the water yield from snow are reported. The studies were made on an 18.7 acre strip cutting 300 feet wide and 2500 feet long, on a 17.1 acre block cutting 800 feet wide and 1800 feet long, and on a commercial diameter limit cutting. The controls were natural openings and forest stands. All three methods of logging increased maximum snow accumulation and decreased annual water losses. At maximum depth the strip cutting showed 10 inches more water than the un-cut forest, block cutting and the commercial cutting showed 5 to 7 inches more. The rate of snow melting was greater in the commercial cutting areas than in the un-cut forest. Small amounts of snow remained longer in the un-cut forest. Summer soil moisture losses in soils 48 inches deep, were decreased by logging while the annual water yield from precipitation was increased. |
URL | sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1959Anderson.pdf |