Hydrologic Impacts of Oak Harvesting and Evaluation of the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation

Abstract

Two Sierra foothill watersheds were monitored to learn what effects selective oak removal would have on watershed hydrology and water quality. We also used the data to generate sediment rating curves and evaluate the modified universal soil loss equation (MUSLE). Annual sediment rating curves better accounted for the variability in precipitation events from year to year, which may be at least as important as total rainfall, on the amount of runoff and sediment yield. Measurements before and after oak removal indicated small but not statistically significant increases in the runoff/rainfall ratio and fewer tons of sediment leaving the watershed after cutting. The MUSLE predicted quite accurately when calibrated for these watersheds.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the symposium on oak woodlands and hardwood rangeland management; October 31 - November 2, 1990; Davis, California

Citation

Epifanio, Charlette R.; Singer, Michael J.; Huang, Xiaohong. 1991. Hydrologic Impacts of Oak Harvesting and Evaluation of the Modified Universal Soil Loss Equation. In: Standiford, Richard B., tech. coord. 1991. Proceedings of the symposium on oak woodlands and hardwood rangeland management; October 31 - November 2, 1990; Davis, California. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-126. Berkeley, CA: Pacific Southwest Research Station, Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture; p. 221-224