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Abstract
Erosion on roads is an important source of fine-grained sediment in streams draining logged basins of the Pacific Northwest. Runoff rates and sediment concentrations from 10 road segments subject to a variety of traffic levels were monitored to produce sediment rating curves and unit hydrographs for different use levels and types of surfaces. These relationships are combined with a continuous rainfall record to calculate mean annual sediment yields from road segments of each use level. A heavily used road segment in the field area contributes 130 times as much sediment as an abandoned road. A paved road segment, along which cut slopes and ditches are the only sources of sediment, yields less than 1% as much sediment as a heavily used road with a gravel surface.
Citation
Reid, L.M.; Dunne, T. 2011. Sediment production from forest road surfaces. Paper #G28 in DeWalle, D.R. (ed.): Forest Hydrology (IAHS Benchmark Papers in Hydrology Series). International Association of Hydrological Sciences. (1984 paper reprinted from Water Resources Research 20(11), 1753–1761)
