Erosion processes affecting clearcut slopes in the Tenmile Creek Basin, Sequoia National Forest
Graduation Date
1994
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Other
Program
Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, 1994
Committee Chair Name
Andre K. Lehre
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Erosion--California--Sequoia National Forest, Humboldt State University -- Theses -- Geology, Clearcutting--Environmental aspects--California--Sequoia National Forest., Slopes (Soil mechanics)--California--Sequoia National Forest, Tenmile Creek
Abstract
Clearcutting is a common timber harvest method in the Sequoia National Forest. Clearcuts are managed to minimize the amount of erosion off of hillslopes, but the timber harvesting practices invariably lead to erosion which would not have occurred if the trees had not all been removed. This research project deals with investigating the erosion processes affecting six clearcuts in the Tenmile Creek Basin of Sequoia National Forest. Erosion processes were identified on the six clearcuts and in neighboring forested areas. Causal relationships between the processes affecting the clearcuts, physical features of the slopes, and the timber harvest methods employed were developed. Rates of sediment mobilization were determined over a one-year period on the clearcuts, and by the use of radiocarbon dating of organic material at the base of the forested slopes. Results of the investigation indicated that several processes, including dry creep, gullying, and organic debris sliding, predominate on the clearcut slopes but are rare or absent in the forested areas. Comparison of sediment mobilization rates on the clearcuts to the sediment deposition rates at the base of the slopes shows that these rates differ by a factor of 2.4 to 5 times the sediment deposition rate.
Recommended Citation
Measeles, Paul A., "Erosion processes affecting clearcut slopes in the Tenmile Creek Basin, Sequoia National Forest" (1994). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 1636.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/1636
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/st74cs834