Effects of road obliteration on stream water quality

Randy B. Foltz; Kristina A. Yanosek

Treesearch

Effects of road obliteration on stream water quality

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Randy B. Foltz, Kristina A. Yanosek

Year:

2005

Type:

Miscellaneous Publication

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

In: Moglen, Glenn E., ed. Managing watersheds for human and natural impacts: engineering, ecological, and economic challenges : proceedings of the 2005 Watershed Management Conference : July 19-22, 2005, Williamsburg, Virginia. Alexandria, Va.: American Society of Civil Engineers. 12 p

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Abstract

The Nez Perce National Forest and the Rocky Mountain Research Station are conducting a long-term study of road obliteration that includes measurements of sediment generated during obliteration activities. Three culvert locations in the Horse Creek drainage of Idaho were monitored during road obliteration activity. Sediment yields varied from 2 to 170 kg. Yields decreased rapidly downstream and at the mouth of each watershed sediment concentrations did not exceed 150 mg/L except during a precipitation event. Turbidity values exceeded the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality limit of 50 NTU above background immediately below the culvert, but not at the watershed mouth.

Keywords

roads, streams, sediment yield, water quality, Idaho

Citation

Foltz, Randy B.; Yanosek, Kristina A. 2005. Effects of road obliteration on stream water quality. In: Moglen, Glenn E., ed. Managing watersheds for human and natural impacts: engineering, ecological, and economic challenges : proceedings of the 2005 Watershed Management Conference : July 19-22, 2005, Williamsburg, Virginia. Alexandria, Va.: American Society of Civil Engineers. 12 p