Novel Prediction of Watershed Peak Flow Across Logging and Climate Change Scenarios in the Redfish Creek Watershed

Recent findings expose the concerning sensitivity of hydrologic and geomorphic function to clearcut logging. Water quality, fish habitat, downstream infrastructure, and human lives are all suffering due to clearcut practices and climate change. This study will explore for the first time the differences between the effect of clearcut logging and more ecosystem friendly logging practices on flood risk. These logging scenarios will be compared in the Redfish Creek watershed in southeastern BC both using historically based, and climate projected weather data which will be simulated. Ground-breaking, watershed-scale spatial modelling will then be done, depicting environmentally friendly, clearcut, and no logging scenarios. This will showcase the flood risk differences in effects of logging with and without climate change projections. The partner has contributed to silvicultural research in the same watershed prior to this project, the culmination of these two pieces of research in separate fields will be beneficial to a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of logging in the hydroclimatic region where the research is taking place.

Faculty Supervisor:

Younes Alila

Student:

Partner:

Mothertree Consulting Ltd

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: