Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1740 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Climate, Snow, Sediment and Streamflow Monitoring and Research in the West Arm Demonstration Forest |
| Organization | Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations |
| URL | https://www.for.gov.bc.ca/rsi/research/nsites/epredfsh.htm |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | Project No. KB96066-RE Kootenay Lake Forest District (Redfish and Laird Creeks; Upper Redfish Creek; Kokanee Creek) Objectives: To identify natural and development-related sources of sediment in typical watersheds which are used for community water supply; To investigate the effect of different silvicultural systems and of the associated road network on sediment production; To investigate the physical processes by which sediment is delivered to the channel system, stored in channels, and discharged at the stream outlet; and To investigate precipitation and snow melt events which are significant in sediment production. Experimental Design: Layout: The design follows a paired watershed approach, comparing Redfish Creek, a developed watershed, with Laird Creek, which is undeveloped and is expected to remain so for the first five years of the study. Sediment yield is measured at the outlet of each watershed. Within Redfish Creek watershed, site-specific sediment sources from roads, cutblocks, and undisturbed forest are monitored. Sediment transport processes from these sources to the main creek channel, and sediment storage sites in the channel system, are monitored. Methods: Measurements include: Continuous measurement of discharge and turbidity near creek outlets; Daily water sampling at creek outlets during spring freshet; Discharge and turbidity of one or more headwaters tributaries; Sediment sampling of numerous small tributaries and road ditches; Marking of ditches and road cuts for measurement and photography; Monitoring of major sites of road erosion during freshet; Vertical photography of storage sites in creek channels; Use of tracer stones in channels to investigate bedload movement; Soil sampling and textural analysis at erosion and storage sites. Field installations include: Permanent gauging stations on Redfish and Laird Creeks (Water Survey of Canada); Weir and gauging station on Redfish tributary near 10 km; Sediment traps in several gullies and below culverts (Forestry Canada); Soil erosion collectors in and near block at 9 km (Forestry Canada). Note: Except for the two permanent gauging stations, installations are likely to be moved around in the course of the study, and new sites may be installed. History: 1992 Project began 1992-2001 Annual data collection 2003 Final Report planned. This project was originally entitled "Sediment Budget of Watersheds in the West Arm Demonstration Forest". It was subsequently combined with EP 1202 Climate and Snow Monitoring for the West Arm Demonstration Forest under a revised title. |
| Information Type | Project |
| Regional Watershed | Redfish Creek; Laird Creek; Kokanee Creek; Upper Redfish Creek |
| Sub-watershed if known | |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | On-going |
| Contact Name | Peter Jordan |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |