Effects of road obliteration on stream water quality

Foltz, R.B.; Yanosek, K.A. 2005. Effects of road obliteration on stream water quality. In Moglen, G.E., ed., Managing Watersheds for Human and Natural Impacts: Engineering, Ecological, and Economic Challenges. Proceedings of the 2005 Watershed Management Conference, July 19-22, 2005, Williamsburg, VA; Sponsored by Environmental and Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 12 p.

Keywords: road obliteration, water quality

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Abstract: The Nez Perce National Forest and the Rocky Mountain Research Station are conducting a long-term study of road obliteration that includes measurements of sediment generated during obliteration activities. Three culvert locations in the Horse Creek drainage of Idaho were monitored during road obliteration activity. Sediment yields varied from 2 to 170 kg. Yields decreased rapidly downstream and at the mouth of each watershed sediment concentrations did not exceed 150 mg/L except during a precipitation event. Turbidity values exceeded the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality limit of 50 NTU above background immediately below the culvert, but not at the watershed mouth.

Moscow FSL publication no. 2005g