Chapman Creek Flashcards
What are some of the water quality issues in Chapman creek and how do the vary?
Faecal coliforms - wildlife
pH - least in summer, higher in winter and upstream
TOC least in summer, highest in fall
Tannins least in summer and highest in fall
What is the precipitation trend for Chapman?
Decrease in summer precipitation and peak flows.
What does ECA tell us? How does this affect Chapman creek?
Equivalent clearcut area is an indicator for hydrologic change.
Second growth forest has more dense canopy. Intercepts more snow and precipitation. Leads to lower flows. Since chapman is mainly a rain on snow and snow zone, this leads to lower water storage.
What are some of the changes to sediment sources in Chapman?
Till and glaicolacustrine deposits
Rate of landslides significantly increased after logging. Lead to increases in turbidity. Though mostly vegetated, some historic landslides are still contributing sediments today. Almost back to natural range.
Road side ditches with no sediment control. Active roads have lead to stability issues. Deactivated ones are not quite vegetated yet. Still a few landslides.
Where are a majority of the risk zones for landslides that could cause turbidity problems at the water intake sites?
Mostly they are adjacent to the stream running along chapman creek. Implications for road building.
In the article “The Clear water paradox” what are the two issues they are talking about?
1) Adding nutrients to the watershed to restore salmon
2) Policy regarding ‘distilled water’
What is oligotrophism? What causes oligotrophism? Where is it likely to occur? What are the issues with this?
Lack of nutrients, high DO.
Formerly glaciated north and south temperate watersheds.
Occurs after levees and Dams, habitat alteration, acidification.
Leads to declines in productivity for salmon and other wildlife.
Why is oligotrophism often overlooked?
Lakes look pristine. Public image. Pass water quality guidelines.
What should be done to resolve the clear water paradox?
Informative debate and accurate definition of the oligotrophication problem.
Developing better societal and ecological understanding.
Developing more consistent and ecologically relevant nutrient policies.
Implementing restoration projects that don’t attempt to make crystal clear water.
