Water Stewardship Information Sources

Citation Hudson, R and Anderson, A. 2006. Russell Creek: Summary of Research and Implications for Professional Practice. Forest Research Extension Note EN-022, Coast Forest Region.
Organization FLNRO
URL https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rco/research/hydroreports/en022.pdf
Abstract/Description or Keywords Watershed management is based on the
application of models to predict the probable
outcome of hypothetical management scenarios.
There is enormous variability in the type and
complexity of models that are used. In research,
the preference is for process-based distributed
hydrologic simulation models such as “Distributed
Hydrology-Soil-Vegetation Model” (DHSVM,
Wigmosta et al., 1994), while the professional
community in BC bases much decision making
for forested watersheds on the application of
the Coastal and Interior Watershed Assessment
Procedures (CWAP and IWAP, BC Ministry of
Forests, 2001). Despite their obvious differences,
these two types of model share a common
problem: both must be based on a complete and
accurate understanding of the dominant
hydrological processes that govern the response
of the watershed for which a decision is needed.
Without that understanding, most models are based
on the wrong theories, and as a result, management
decisions based on application of those models
may fail to produce the desired results.
Research at Russell Creek has been under way
for 15 years. Russell Creek is a 31 km2 sub-basin
of the Tsitika River watershed on northeastern
Vancouver Island (Figure 1), with active ongoing
forest management and a logging history dating
back to the early 1980s. The Tsitika River drains
an area of 370 km2
into Robson Bight in the
Strait of Georgia. Access to the watershed is
gained via the Island Highway about half way
between Sayward and Woss.
Primarily a sediment budget research project, we
are currently in a phase of the research that has
led us to instrument the watershed intensively in
an effort to develop a hydrological simulation
model that accurately represents the variability
among the dominant processes. Our long term
objective is to develop an integrated, process-based
model that can be used to investigate the effects
of forest harvesting and roads on rain-on-snow
(ROS) and sediment production processes. Funded
by the Forest Science Program (FSP), the Tsitika River Sediment Budget Project (of which Russell Creek is the
currently active phase) is applied research in that its primary
aim is to produce a model that is operationally focused at the
watershed scale, but conceptually accurate and based on
commonly available data. We have identified several areas where
theoretical understanding of the dominant processes is
inadequate, and are conducting field studies to fill in these
knowledge gaps.
Along the way we have learned a lot about how coastal
watersheds behave, and these findings can be translated into
information leading to better-informed decision making for
management of coastal watersheds. We have passed on much
of this information in existing publications and at conferences
in Canada and the USA. Our findings can be broken down into
three categories: sediment production and transport (sediment
budget), water quantity processes, and technical and innovative
methods.
Information Type report
Regional Watershed Vancouver Island North
Sub-watershed if known Russell Creek
Aquifer #
Comments
Project status ongoing
Contact Name Bill Floyd
Contact Email [email protected]