1. The Platte River Risks Associated with Forestry Management for Water Yield
Tim Morse, Andrew Carter, Garrett Bergey, and Erin Affronti
ENSC 202
Professor: Breck Bowden
5/11/07

2. Overview of the Platte River
Background
Importance and Conflict
Proposed source of water and associated risks
Water Use
Endangered Species and Habitat
Forest Management for Water Yield
Sustainable Forestry

3. Where is the Platte River?
Image retrieved from edited by Garrett Bergey 3

4. Importance of the Platte River
Serves the people of Wyoming and Nebraska and Front Range region of Colorado
Invaluable water source for irrigation
Home to many species of wildlife including several threatened or endangered species
Part of the North American Central Flyway Zone

5. Reason for Conflict The Platte has been complete appropriated
Therefore finding answers to additional water sources is becoming an alarming problem

6. Assessment of Proposed Source of Water
Pressure is being placed upon forest managers to use timber harvest to increase water yield
Ecological risks
The goal of our project is to assess whether or not these practices have the potential to be used to mitigate the issue of water scarcity on the Platte River

7. Water Usage
Traditionally water from the Platte River basin was used for irrigation
It contains the United States third largest irrigation system
In Colorado irrigation supports a 2.2 billion dollar a year production agricultural economy
The value of crop production in Nebraska was over 5.4 Billion dollars in 2005

8. Water Usage Cont.
The population of the Front Range of Colorado is rapidly growing
The Population of the South Platte Basin has increased by 34 percent since 1990 and is expected to continue growing
Coloradans typically use more water than most American’s
This growth is causing water that at one time was used for agriculture to be used for municipal and industrial purposes

9. Growing Population
Growth that has occurred in the population of the front range of Colorado from 1937 to 1997

10. Whooping Cranes Approximately 188 remaining in the wild
Roost in grassy or sandy areas, such as wetlands or agricultural areas
Majority of population visits Platte River Basin annually
Overhunting and development of critical habitat are largest causes for decreasing population
Improper forest management can alter:
- Required food
- Acceptable Habitat

11. Piping Plover Approximately 1370 left in the wild (USFWS 2001)
Nest on cleared sand or gravel beaches or sand bars near stream networks.
Platte River Basin is largely within range of habitat
Improper forest management can alter:
- Available Food Sources
- Acceptable Habitat
- Predation

12. Pallid Sturgeon Native to Missouri and Mississippi River drainage
Prefers strong current, sandy bottom, and turbid waters
Improper forest management can alter:
- Acceptable habitat
- Available food sources

13. Forest Management for Water Yield
Two models of the North Platte River water yield show
water availability has been declining steadily for decades

14. Mean water yield changes; results based on 145 catchment studies
Treatment is based on clear-cut practices
Conifer forests offer the largest increase in yield upon harvest

15. NFS timber management plan for the North Platte River Basin
Table 2. Potential increases in flow on the North Platte River Basin resulting from timber harvest.
NFS timber management plan for the North Platte River Basin
120-year management plan of small clear-cuts
Annual increase of 37,000 acre-feet of water by 2015
Annual increase of 50,000 to 55,000 acre-feet of water if rotations used

16. Figure 2. Seasonal mean daily flow for Fool Creek before (1940-1955) and after harvest (1956-1971).
Forest disturbances in the snow zone result in reduced canopy-intercept evaporative losses of snow in the winter months.
Reduced snow loss result in increased snow accumulation, and increased water yield upon spring snow melt.
Snow accumulation is the primary input to increased spring peak flows and maximum daily mean flows.

17. Small partial cuts determined to be the best practice for increased water yield
5 H by 1 H = best at maximizing snow capture and minimizing evaporation
larger than 5 H = less efficient at capturing snow due to increased wind scour
widths of 14 H = no gain in snow capture
Wider than 14 H = net loss in snow capture due to wind scour

18. Forestry Revenue
Sustainable forestry revenue is an important factor that must be considered when managing forests for water yield in the Platte River
Small cut plots for snow accumulation should be used
Clear-cuts should be minimized
Long-term rotations are essential

19. Recommendations More research should be conducted
Forest managers should focus on small cut plots to increase snow accumulation
Clearcuts should be avoided due to the negative ecological impacts
Intensive water conservation should be made a priority

20. Any Questions?