Logging in New England Need Not Cause Sedimentation of Streams

Abstract

Abstract Erosion, sedimentation, and turbidity can be controlled during and after logging in New England forests by conscientiously following regulations and guidelines known as Best Management Practices (BMPs). This is demonstrated by comparing sediment yields and stream turbidities from cut and uncut watersheds at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in central New Hampshire. Sediment yields from uncut forests average about 40 kg/ha/yr, but are highly variable from year to year and from watershed to watershed. Disturbances due to cutting and logging can increase sediment yields. For example, in the first year after a whole-tree clearcut at Hubbard Brook, sediment yields increased 10- to 30-fold over uncut watersheds. However, total yields after cutting and skidding were still small and did not greatly affect stream turbidity. North. J. Appl. For. 11(1): 17-23.