- Reclamation
- R&D
- Research Projects
- Favorably Stabilizing the Flow, Supply and Quality of Water from Public Lands During Forest Management
Favorably Stabilizing the Flow, Supply and Quality of Water from Public Lands During Forest Management
Project ID: 22090
Principal Investigator: Daniel Deeds
Research Topic: Managing Hydrologic Events
Funded Fiscal Years:
2022,
2023 and
2024
Keywords: None
Research Question
This project will address the question: how can land use agencies best manage forest density to reduce future wildfire severity while maintaining future water supply reliability? The project will use state-of-the-science modeling and targeted monitoring efforts to assess water supply impacts associated with wildfire management activities in a real-world watershed upstream of a Reclamation reservoir. Various mitigation scenarios will be modeled to determine the best method to maintain a reliable water supply and quality after wildfire management activities. The project will provide crucial information for planning to reduce wildfire impacts in watersheds upstream of reservoirs.
Need and Benefit
Climate change is expected to alter wildfire frequency and severity and shorten the duration of snowpack and the rainy season. Land management agencies will be tasked with mitigating the impacts of wildfires in Federal lands but may not consider water quantity impacts downstream. Groundwater will be an increasingly important water source. This work will inform forestry efforts to both prevent severe wildfires and ensure that long-term water supply, including groundwater, is maintained.
Contributing Partners
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.
Research Products
Contact the Principal Investigator for information about these documents.
