PARTNERS: North Carolina Forest Service, North Carolina State University (NCSU), Weyerhaeuser

SUMMARY: Over the last twenty years, research has shown that Best Management Practices (BMPs) are effective management tools for reducing non-point source pollution generated during a clear cut (harvest). Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) are widely regarded as the most effective element of BMPs for protecting water quality at the watershed scale. Although SMZ effectiveness has been evaluated in the piedmont of Georgia and other states, a literature review suggests that scientific data on the effectiveness and benefit of SMZs are lacking in the piedmont region of NC. Thus, the overall objective of this study is to quantify effects of a clear cut and SMZs on soil erosion and water quality in forested headwater watersheds in the piedmont of NC. This objective will be achieved in two phases: Phase I – Pre-harvest monitoring, 2008 to 2010; and Phase II – Post-harvest monitoring, 2010 to 2013.

Pre-harvest data was collected to generate a predictive model of stream discharge and other variables. To date, pre-harvest data suggest that the paired watersheds in this study are meeting many of the assumptions required to develop a good-fit/predictive model. Preliminary post-harvest data suggest that SMZs maintained good water quality conditions. Final data analysis will be incorporated with existing literature to develop operational models that land managers and timber companies can use to further test forest SMZ effectiveness. In cooperation with partners, additional pre and post harvest components will be assessed including soil water storage, surface water temperature, oxygen isotopic signatures (16O & 18O), evapotranspiration, and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance.

Above: Depiction of forest harvest area and SMZ at Hill Forest. Click to enlarge.

The contribution and research questions from this project are directly linked with the mission of the Threat Center’s program, in that this study focuses on understanding annual and seasonal patterns of discharge and nutrient concentrations and loads in small forested watershed streams associated with forest management (i.e., landuse change). These data will add to model database development and lead to improved stream discharge and water quality estimates in larger watersheds following forest manage and/or disturbances. 

EFETAC'S ROLE: From 2007 to 2010, this project was funded by an EPA 319 grant and EFETAC where cost share was 50/50. Now EFETAC provides full project fiscal support and NC Forest Service and other partners provide field, data, and outreach support.

STATUS: Ongoing

PROGRESS:

Boggs, J.L., Jones, D., Sun, G., McNulty, S.G., and Swartley, B. 2010. BMP Effectiveness Monitoring Study – Phase II. Grant Final Report. US-EPA Non-Point Source (NPS) Pollution Control Grant through Section 319h of the Clean Water Act N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Division of Water Quality. NC- DENR Contract EW 1683. (PDF)

Boggs, J.L., G. Sun, S.G. McNulty, W. Swartley, E. Treasure, and W. Summer. 2009. Temporal and spatial variability in North Carolina piedmont stream temperature. In: Proceedings of 2009 American Water Resources Association Spring Speciality Conference. May 4-6, 2009. Anchorage, AK. (PDF) 

Boggs, J.L., G. Sun, W. Summer, S.G. McNulty, W. Swartley, E. Treasure. 2008. Effectiveness of streamside management zones on water quality: pretreatment measurements. In: Proceedings of 2008 American Water Resources Association Summer Specialty Conference on Riparian Ecosystem and Buffers: Working at the Water’s Edge. June 30-July 2, 2008. Virginia Beach, VA. (PDF)

LINKS:

North Carolina Forest Service

North Carolina State University

Weyerhaeuser

CONTACT: Johnny Boggs, EFETAC Biological Scientist, jboggs@ncsu.edu or 919-513-2973

 
Updated December 2011