WATERSHED-SCALE SEDIMENT MOVEMENT IN RELATION TO IN-STREAM WATER QUALITY: PRE- AND POST-HARVEST OBSERVATIONS

by Hamiter, Bonnie Leigh

Sediment is a leading contributor to nonpoint source (NPS) pollution in streams and rivers. Sources and sinks of sediment movement were identified for a 121-hectare watershed located in Webster County, Mississippi in order to evaluate the impact of forest harvesting on water quality and sedimentation rates. In a completely randomized design containing three replications of two treatments (unharvested vs. harvested) and two slopes (≤9% vs. >9%), twelve sub-watersheds were randomly selected for intensive measurement of the sources and sinks of sediment after precipitation events. In-stream, bank and forest road sediment movement were also monitored pre- and post-harvest. Total suspended sediment (TSS) in runoff from forest roads ranged from 36-188 g/L with a consistent trend of decreasing sediment concentrations with increasing distance from the road. Within the watershed, erosional processes dominated however there was little net change in soil elevation one year post-harvest.