Forest Hydrology RRET 1132

Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:

Module 1 - Introduction: The Hydrologic Cycle

• Describe the connection among hydrology, watershed management and forestry.
• Determine the divides which establish the watershed, drainage basin and catchment area boundaries.
• Describe generally the hydrologic cycle.
• Define the factors which influence the equilibrium of the hydrologic cycle.
• Calculate balance in the hydrologic cycle.
• Calculate the balance in the energy cycle.
• Describe the relationship between the hydrologic and energy cycles.
• Describe the causes and the forms of precipitation.
• Describe the methods used to measure precipitation.

Module 2 - Soil Water, Ground Water and Evapotranspiration

• Describe the factors which influence infiltration and subsurface water retention and flow.
• Describe the effects of soil physical properties on soil water retention and flow.
• Describe and define the significant soil water contents.
• Describe the effects of gravity on soil water movement.
• Describe the effects of moisture content on soil water movement.
• Describe the conditions which determine the size of a ground water reserve.
• Describe the sources of evaporation loss and the conditions necessary to sustain this process.
• Describe the process of evaporation, both from bare soil and from water.
• List the conditions which affect the rate of evaporation.
• Define the forms of interception loss.
• List the conditions which affect the availability of water and energy in the interception process.
• Describe the transpiration process and the factors which affect the rate of transpiration.
• Describe the methods used to estimate evapotranspiration losses.
• Explain the interrelationship between interception and transportation losses.

Module 3 - Surface Waters

• Specify and describe the different forms (components) in which runoff may occur.
• Specify and describe the forms in which water is stored.
• Describe the mechanisms of streamflow and baseflow.
• Describe briefly the measurement of stream discharge.
• Describe briefly the uses and interpretation of the hydrograph.
• State generally the effects of geologic structure on hydrologic responses.
• Describe generally the process of stream formation.
• Describe the major approaches to stream classification.
• Explain the relevance of water divides in determining the area contributing to streamflow.

Module 4 - Water and the Forest Site

• Specify the types and causes of erosion.
• Describe the mechanics of water erosion.
• Specify the sources of sediment, and describe the conditions that influence sedimentation.
• Specify generally the effects of moisture availability on forest cover.
• Describe in general terms the effects of logging, forest road construction and slash burning on the volume, quality and timing of water yield.
• Define the terms listed in the Glossary.

Module 5 - Application of Hydrology to Forest Management

• Describe and explain the use of measures designed to protect, rehabilitate or improve a water resource through:
• Road and skid trail location and construction standards,
• Gully control,
• Contour trenching,
• Grazing management,
• Streamflow regime control,
• Reduction of evapotranspiration losses,
• Stream-side buffer strips,
• Post-fire rehabilitation.

Effective as of Fall 2003