Understanding and mitigating the effects of vegetation change on the storage and transport of fine sediment and associated nutrients in forested watersheds

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It is well known that wildfires have a profound effect on vegetation in forested areas, however, they can also significantly impact water quality. That impact can also extend downstream and potentially impact drinking water source quality and ecosystem health. This is because vegetation is one of the primary factors that governs key hydrological processes that impact both the rates and magnitude of fine sediment (silts and clay) supply and delivery to streams. In sub-alpine regions, wildfire-associated increases in fine sediment delivered to and stored in streams has significantly impacted water quality and sensitive aquatic habitat in downstream reaches. This impact is often evident in elevated heavy metal, biofilm, and nutrient levels. An improved understanding of the physical and chemical processes that govern the fate and transport of nutrients and contaminants bound to fine sediment is critical for the development of effective strategies to protect drinking water supplies and minimize the negative impacts of land use and vegetation change on water quality and overall river ecosystem health.