Logging, Winter Streamflow and Flooding in Twinflower Creek

The livelihood of First Nation communities and local ranchers are primarily depending on cattle raising, yet ongoing salvage logging within the catchment has the potential to compromise the watershed hydrology resulting in higher peak flows and reduced low flows jeopardizing the channel stability, road safety and water availability. The intern will carry out field investigations in recent cutblocks within the watershed during the freshet season to seek linkages between flood risks associated salvage logging. The field investigations will combine and supplement computational work utilizing regional maps and previous harvesting layouts to interpret overall watershed conditions to reveal the effects of salvage logging and forest roads on the summer and winter low flow hydrology. The outcomes of this research project will provide associated partners a final report:1, outlining the conditions where salvage logging will result in increased spring flood risk and reduced summer and winter water supply and 2, identifying strategies to mitigate associated hydrologic problems to maintain a balance between long term timber extraction and sustainable water supply.

Faculty Supervisor:

Younes Alila

Student:

Partner:

Yunesit'in Development Enterprise

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: