Managing Water Resources in Forest Restoration

Two NAU Researchers Want the Forest Restoration Efforts to Result in Better Water Quality and Quantity, a Shift that Could Save Cities Money in Water Treatment Costs

Sharon Masek Lopez, a watershed restoration research specialist, and post-doctoral scholar Frances O'Donnell , will determine the ideal landscape for supporting forest health. "We want to use our data to make recommendations to people doing the thinning about what kinds of forest treatment intensity and patterns are best for snow and soil moisture," O'Donnell said.

Applying water resource management techniques to forest thinning could reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire. Spacing of trees affects the amount of water that stays on the forest, along with evaporation and wind. "The major source of soil moisture is our winter snow and shade is a huge factor in how long the snow pack remains in forest openings," Masek Lopez said.

Calculated thinning efforts are not expected to significantly increase water flows, but slight improvements can make a substantial difference over time and help trees remain healthy during a prolonged drought.

This research also is important to water users who pay a high price for treatment of water after a wildfire. Following Arizona's Rodeo-Chediski and Sunflower fires, municipalities spent significant funds to remove organic carbon from the water supply.

Source: North Arizona University

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