A Physically-based Approach to Dynamically Model Hydrological Sensitive Areas and Run-off Source Area Contributions in Snowmelt-dominated Catchments

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc. is a leading producer of quality kraft pulp. Working with the company, the intern will develop a field-based conceptualization of snowmelt run-off source area dynamics with particular attention given to process-controls, spatial hydraulic connectivity, the importance of geomorphology and the influence of forest cover removal. This “hydrogeomorphic” conceptualization will be used to develop a physically-based snowmelt run-off model followed by application to the model to predict the spatial-temporal dynamics of hydrological-sensitive areas in response to intra- and inter-annual climate forcing. Hydrological-sensitive areas are those with periodic hydrologic conditions that interfere with environmentally sound and economical executions of forest development.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Markus Weiler

Student:

Russell Smith

Partner:

Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries Inc.

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Forestry

University:

University of British Columbia