The influence of forest cover on snow melt

There is presented a survey of important literature on the effect of forest cover on snow-melt, with recent results of investigations in the Fraser Experimental forest near Fraser, Colorado. It is shown that forest management, by selective cutting , influences greatly the accumulation and retention of snow on the ground. The evidence supports Dr. J.E. Church's Fir forest, possessing a maximum number of glades, as the most desirable type of snow conservation.Discussion by Walter U. Garstka points out the fact that forest management and watershed management must walk hand-in-hand to secure the optimum of water supplies, timing of runoff and timber products supplies, wood, lumber, paper, livestock grazing, power, flood control and irrigation.