Watershed Research and Education
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Watershed 16

Area: 252 ac (102 ha)
Elevation: 7,000 to 7,244 ft (2,135 to 2,209 m)
Vegetation: Ponderosa Pine
Parent Material: Basalt
Years: 1963 - 1982
Treatment: Irregular Strip-cut and Thin
Year Treated: 1972

Artist sketch of proposed Watershed 16
Artist's sketch of proposed Watershed 16 treatment
Objective: To determine how a strip-cut and thinning treatment of ponderosa pine affects streamflow, erosion and sedimentation, vegetation, and wildlife. Prior to treatment, streamflow from WS 16 was calibrated against flow from the designated control WS 15.
Treatment: In 1972, this watershed was treated in a manner similar to WS 14, but with 65 % instead of 50 % of the tree cover removed through a combination of irregular stripcuts and thinning. The cut strips covered one-half of the area, making it the heaviest treatment of this type. Gambel oak were left standing for wildlife food and shelter, and logging slash was piled and burned.
Response: The first posttreatment year on this watershed was 1973, the highest precipitation year during the study. This resulted in the largest response of 174 mm (6.8 inches) or 51 percent of that observed on any of the treated watersheds. Increases in water yield decreased steadily until losing significance after the third year. Streamflow increase during the third year was 51 mm (2 inches) or 32 % (Baker 1986). Of the other 3 high precipitation years 1978 through 1980, only 1979 showed an appreciable response of 78 mm (3 inches). Water year 1982, one of the drier winters on record, showed a 26 mm (1 inch) increase in streamflow.
References: Baker, M.B., Jr. 1986a. Effects of ponderosa pine treatments on water yield in Arizona. Water Resources Research 22: 67-73.

Brown, H.E., M.B. Baker, Jr., J.J. Rogers, W.P. Clary, J.L. Kovner, F.R. Larson, C.C. Avery, and R.E. Campbell. 1974. Opportunities for increasing water yields and other multiple use values on ponderosa pine forest lands. USDA Forest Service, Research Paper RM-129.
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