Synoptic conditions of rain-on-snow related environmental and operational issues in forestry activities on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Watersheds in the coastal regions of British Columbia are comprised of rugged mountains and high storm
runoff, rendering streams prone to increases in snowmelt during rain-on-snow (ROS) events due to forest
harvesting. Importantly, both forest harvesting operations and ROS events are widespread in the transitional snow
zones of Vancouver Island, BC. Correspondingly, they routinely experience ROS events associated with flooding,
runoff, and landslides which pose a number of challenges to forestry companies. Knowledge of the processes
regulating snowmelt during ROS events is useful when making operational decisions; despite this, uncertainty
persists in the relationship between forestry operations and ROS events. Future climate and wildfires are likely to
continue to alter snow dynamics in these areas, and thus, improved understanding of ROS events should remain
a key priority. The goal of this project is to increase understanding of the weather and hydrological factors that
contribute to damaging outcomes from ROS events with respect to forest harvesting activities on Vancouver
Island, BC. This will improve our ability to estimate and adapt to the cumulative effects of forestry practices and
climate change across watersheds, and forecast the arrival of ROS events in the future.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Atkinson

Student:

Partner:

Mosaic Forest Management Corp

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

University of Victoria

Program: