Watershed Research

Overview
Current Focus Areas
Research Highlights
Extension and Consultations
Recent Publications, Posters, and Presentations
Links
Ministry Contacts

Overview

The direct and cumulative effects of forest practices on watersheds, aquatic ecosystems, and fish have been a major concern in British Columbia for over 35 years.  Forest harvesting, road construction and maintenance, and ongoing silvicultural activities can significantly affect watershed function, resulting in changes to hillslope stability and drainage, the quantity and quality of streamflow, stream channel morphology, and fish habitat.

The Watershed Research program focuses on developing an understanding of the impacts of forest management on watershed processes and function and identifies forest practices that can sustain riparian characteristics and functions, aquatic habitats, fish, and water quality and quantity. Understanding watershed hydrological processes and the hillslope, channel, and aquatic habitat linkages assists forest managers to mitigate or restore historical impacts. Research projects carried out in the province study forestry-related impacts on watersheds, aquatic habitats, and fish in a variety of biophysical conditions and forest types. Research also studies physical habitat-structure alterations, water-temperature–related shifts, and trophic responses.

For more than 25 years, researchers within the Watershed Research program have provided leadership and expertise to develop policies and identify sound practices to minimize forestry-related impacts on hydrology, stream channels, and fish and riparian habitats. They provide technical advice and consultation services to a variety of Ministry clients, including offering policy and strategy support for the Chief Forester’s office, policy and practices implementation support for the Forest Practices Branch and the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) Joint Management Committee, and assistance to Regional and District compliance and enforcement staff on matters concerned with stream crossings, riparian management, and fish passage. Researchers actively participate on inter-agency committees with the B.C. Ministry of Environment (MoE) and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans to develop and evaluate policy and practices concerned with forestry operations around temperature-sensitive streams, in riparian areas, at stream crossings, and in fisheries-sensitive watersheds.

Knowledge gained through watershed research provides the scientific foundation for evaluating the effectiveness of forest practices under the provincial Forest and Range Evaluation Program (FREP).  The Watershed Research program has led the development of field indicators and assessment protocols that are designed to determine the condition of riparian areas, streams, and fish habitats for the Resource Stewardship Monitoring Program under FREP, for the Fish-Riparian Resource value. The methods may also be applied to evaluate the effectiveness of ecosystem-based management in maintaining riparian-stream channel functions on the coast or the hydrologic impacts of mountain pine beetle (MPB) on riparian areas, streams, and fish habitats in the interior.

Current Focus Areas 

• Conducting ongoing research, monitoring, and synthesis of mid-term results at the Carnation Creek long-term research installation to determine the mechanisms and progression of impact and recovery processes in a harvested coastal drainage. Quantifying long-term changes for biological and physical watershed processes, such as the hydrologic regime, stream channels and riparian networks, aquatic habitats, and salmon. [more]

• Studying stream channel morphology and large woody debris dynamics in both harvested and unharvested drainages in various biogeoclimatic zones in British Columbia. This work provides empirical data on baseline environmental conditions as well as source distances of in-stream large woody debris from riparian areas.

• Studying the effects of mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation and salvage harvesting on the morphology of small streams, aquatic habitats, and associated riparian areas in the interior.  [more]

• Providing leadership and expertise for developing policies and identifying appropriate practices that minimize forestry-related impacts on streams, fish, and riparian habitats.

• Conducting a retrospective study to determine the impacts of massive salvage logging following spruce beetle infestation in sensitive drainages of the Bowron watershed on the function of stream channels and riparian forests 30 years later.

Research Highlights

• Consolidating a compendium of 30 years of British Columbia forest hydrology and geomorphology research and experience. This applied synthesis will demonstrate how land use affects forested watershed processes in different regions of the province. Individual chapters are being made available on the internet as they are completed and reviewed. [link]

• Creating and updating a searchable database (with links to full-text materials where possible) on Fish and Forestry Interactions in British Columbia. This database will capture all project-related publications and add training materials, such as slides, posters, and handouts. It will be searchable by keyword and author.

• Planned field tours for spring and summer 2008 to the Carnation Creek research area for Ministry forest managers and the scientific community on interdisciplinary research results. [contact]

• Finalized a 60-year Licence of Occupation and working agreement with the Huu Ay Aht First Nation that will ensure the long-term integrity of the Carnation Creek Fish-Forestry Interaction Project.  Currently exploring ways to work together on projects of mutual interest, as well as share long-term data records on streamflow, fish population trends, and climate.

• Focussing technical support for implementing the Forest and Range Practices Act to analyze and report on data from District-level pilot and operational assessments of the effectiveness of riparian management standards and practices. Data from 750 stream sites and 29 Forest Districts will determine how to improve practices on the ground.

Extension and Consultations

Watershed researchers dedicate a significant amount of time communicating their research results and recommendations through extension activities and one-on-one consultations. They provide technical support and consultation to a variety of Ministry clients such as: the Executive, on resolving riparian management issues between the province and federal government; the Forest Practices Branch and the FRPA Joint Management Committee, on stream crossings and fish habitat issues; and Operations Division staff, on case-by-case compliance and enforcement concerns and interpretations of the effects of forest practices on matters such as stream crossings and fish passage. 

The knowledge gained through research activities in the Watershed  Research program has provided the scientific foundation for the evaluation of the effectiveness of forest practices under the provincial Forest and Range Evaluation Program (FREP), in particular the Fish-Riparian Resource value. 

Researchers maintain the respect of their scientific peers by ensuring that experimental approaches and scientific findings meet the high standards and rigour required by peer-reviewed technical reports and scientific journals.

• Forest and Range Evaluation Program, Fish-Riparian Value Team Leader—Developing routine-level and detailed-level indicators and methods to assess the post-harvest condition of riparian areas, stream channels, and fish habitats.
• Forests for Tomorrow, Ad hoc Working Group—Providing technical advice on issues related to the assessment of reforestation effectiveness of burned and mountain pine beetle–infested lands specific to riparian areas.
• Future Forest Ecosystems Initiative, Technical Committee—Providing research knowledge to develop a sound scientific foundation for understanding climate change and ecosystem resilience.
• FORREX, Forest Research Extension Partnership, Watershed Management Working Group – Provides guidance to objectively link and facilitate science and innovation in watershed management in order to enhance and improve sustainable resource management in British Columbia’s watersheds. Technical/peer review for Streamline and other publications.
• Riparian Areas Regulation Working Group—Supported MoE staff by providing technical expertise to develop riparian and stream channel assessment protocols.
• Temperature-Sensitive Streams Working Group—Participating with MoE staff and partners to develop protocols for identifying temperature-sensitive streams for FRPA.
• Fisheries-Sensitive Watersheds Working Group—Participating with MoE staff and partners to guide the development of protocols for identifying fisheries-sensitive watersheds for FRPA.
• Fish-Stream Crossings Working Group—Working with the Forest Practices Branch, the Compliance and Enforcement Branch, and MoE staff on issues of fish passage effectiveness of pre–Forest Practices Code and post-Code culvert crossings.
• FRPA Joint Management Committee, Interagency Working Group—Participating in a multi-agency working group formed to report to the FRPA Joint Management Committee to address various issues around forestry practices, riparian management, and fish habitat protection.
• Forest and Range Evaluation Program (FREP), District Technical Support—Providing training support for Forest Stewardship staff conducting Resource Stewardship Monitoring under FREP, providing on-going advice on concerns arising from FREP operational assessments, and providing expert opinion for evaluations of Forest Stewardship Plans.

Recent Publications, Posters, and Presentations

Hassan, M.A., B.J. Smith, D.L. Hogan, D.S. Luzi, A.E. Zimmermann, and B.C. Eaton.  2008.  Sediment storage and transport in coarse bed streams: scale considerations.  In Gravel-bed rivers VI: from process understanding to river restoration. H. Habersack, H. Piégay, and M. Rinaldi (editors). Elsevier B.V. Chap. 18 pp. 473-496

Moore, R.D., D.S. Spittlehouse, P.H. Whitfield and K. Stahl. 2008. Weather and Climate. In Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in British Columbia R.G. Pike et al. (editors). B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. and Forest Research Extension Partnership (FORREX), Kamloops, B.C. Land Manag. Handb. (draft). Chap. 3. (pdf) 

Pike, R.G. and C. Perrin. 2005. Effects of forest fertilization on water quality. Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin.  9(1). [pdf] 

Pike, R.G., T. Redding, D. Wilford, R.D. Moore, G. Ice, M. Reiter and D.A.A. Toews. 2007. Detecting and predicting changes in watersheds. In Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in British Columbia. R.G. Pike et al. (editors). B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. and Forest Research Extension Partnership (FORREX), Kamloops, B.C. Land Manag. Handb. (draft). Chap. 17.[pdf] 

Pike, R.G., D.L. Spittlehouse, K.E. Bennett, V.N. Egginton, P.J. Tschaplinski, T.Q. Murdock and A.T. Werner. 2008. A summary of climate change effects on watershed hydrology. B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. Exten. Note 87.

Pike, R.G., D.L. Spittlehouse, K.E. Bennett, V.N. Egginton, P.J. Tschaplinski, T.Q. Murdoch and A.T. Werner. 2008. Climate change and watershed hydrology: part I - recent and projected changes in British Columbia. Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin. Vol. 11. No 2.

Pike, R.G., D.L. Spittlehouse, K.E. Bennett, V.N. Egginton, P.J. Tschaplinski, T.Q. Murdoch and A.T. Werner. 2008. Climate change and watershed hydrology: part II - hydrologic implications for British Columbia. Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin. Vol. 11. No 2.

Redding, T. and R. Pike. 2007.  Mountain pine beetle and watershed hydrology: workshop summary. Streamline 11(1). [pdf]

Redding, T., R.G. Pike, and P. Teti. 2007.  Understanding mountain pine beetle and salvage harvesting effects on hydrological processes and watershed response. Poster presentation.  Mountain pine beetle and watershed hydrology workshop: preliminary results of research from BC and Alberta. Jul. 10, 2007. Kelowna, B.C. [pdf] 

Sakals, M., D.J. Wilford, and R.G. Pike.  2007. Managing watersheds for hydrogeomorphic risks on fans.  Poster presentation. Alluvial Fans 2007. Jun. 18-22, 2007. Banff, Alta. [more]

Teti, P. and R.G. Pike. 2006. Selecting and testing an instrument for surveying stream shade. B.C. J. Ecosystems and Manage. FORREX. [pdf]

Tripp, D.B., P.J. Tschaplinski, S.A. Bird, and D.L. Hogan.  2007. Field supplement to evaluating the condition of streams and riparian management areas (riparian management routine effectiveness evaluation). Forest and Range Evaluation Program, B.C. Min. For. Range, Victoria, BC. 30 p. [pdf] 

Tripp, D.B., P.J. Tschaplinski, S.A. Bird, and D.L. Hogan.  2007. Protocol for evaluating the condition of streams and riparian management areas (riparian management routine effectiveness evaluation). Forest and Range Evaluation Program, B.C. Min. For. Range and B.C. Min. Env., Victoria, BC. 72 p. [pdf] 

Uulina, L., B. Guy, and R.G. Pike. 2006. Hydrologic effects of mountain pine beetle in the interior pine forest of British Columbia: key questions and current knowledge. Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin 9 (2). [pdf] 

Weiler, M., R. Pike, D. Spittlehouse, R. Winkler, D. Carlyle-Moses, G. Jost, D. Hutchinson, S. Hamilton, P. Marquis, E. Quilty, R.D. Moore, J. Richardson, P. Jordan, D. Hogan, P. Teti, and N. Coops. 2008. Watershed Measurement Methods and Data Limitations. In Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in British Columbia R.G. Pike et al. (editors). B.C. Min. For. Range, Res. Br., Victoria, B.C. and Forest Research Extension Partnership (FORREX), Kamloops, B.C. Land Manag. Handb. (draft). Chap 15. [pdf]

Links

FORREX, Watershed Management Working Group [link]
Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology [link
Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin [link]
Fish-Forestry Interaction Program web site [link]
Carnation Creek Research Study [link]
Forest and Range Evaluation Program, Fish-Riparian Value [link]

Ministry Contacts

Robin Pike, Watershed Ecosystem Specialist, Forest Hydrology
Peter Tschaplinski, Manager, Fish-Forestry Interactions and Watershed Research
Dan Hogan, Research Scientist, Geomorphology

Ministry contact: Evelyn Hamilton.
Please direct questions regarding webpage to For.Prodres@gov.bc.ca
Updated June 2008