Abstract
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH,
VOL. 20, NO. 11,
PP. 1753-1761, 1984
doi:10.1029/WR020i011p01753
Sediment production from forest road surfaces
Department of Geological Sciences and Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle
Department of Geological Sciences and Quaternary Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle
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.
Received 19 May 1983; accepted 29 June 1984; .
Citation: (1984), Sediment production from forest road surfaces, Water Resour. Res., 20(11), 1753–1761, doi:10.1029/WR020i011p01753.
Cited By
