Studies on effects of watershed practices on streams

A number of studies were undertaken related to effects of clearcut logging on water quality and the process affected in small streams. Water temperature studied before and after logging was increased significantly where stream cover was removed. Energy balances of small streams were measured and predictive models were developed. Road building significantly increased sediment yield in clearcut and patch cut watersheds. Logging itself was not an important sediment contributor. Methods for sampling bed load and suspended sediment were developed. Bed load constituted 70 percent of suspended load during peak discharges.