1. Managing Natural Water Storage for Climate Change Adaptation

2. Context

3. Agassiz Glacier 1913 & 2005 Headwaters-North Fork Flathead River All glaciers in Glacier National Park are predicted to melt by ~2030. Glacier NP Archives photos by: W.C. Alden & Greg Pederson

4. Melting Glaciers a Short Term Benefit

7. Changes in Stream Flow Regimes Forest Stand Reduction

8. Same View – northeast of Philipsburg, MT Flint Creek Watershed Circa 1908 and 1981 8

10. Throughout western United States 72% of stations show a decline in April 1 snow water equivalent Throughout western United States 72% of stations show a decline in April 1 snow water equivalent Klos et al., 2012. Indicators of Climate Change in Idaho: The intersection of biophysical change with social perception across a diverse landscape. Paper presented at the Pacific Northwest Climate Conference, Boise, Idaho, 10/02/2012.

11. More Total Precipitation and Less Snowpack Indication of Earlier Snow Melt

12. Snow Management Study Tenderfoot Experimental Forest Little Belt Mountains

13. More Research Snippets

14. McDonald Pass Headwaters Little Blackfoot Snow fences can pile up snow, exposing less snow volume to wind and solar radiation.

15. Snow Fences

16. A Snow Fence Study

17. Fire has become an increasingly dominant mechanism of watershed adjustment.

19. - precipitation +fire + temperature -Vegetative density + sediment concentration + water runoff/infiltration + sediment yield - thickness of soil + area of exposed rock - sediment concentration + water runoff/infiltration - sediment yield Critical power threshold exceeded or not exceeded for stream (transports or deposits) A Climate Change Scenario + Temperature - Precipitation + Fire (size & frequency) Hillslopes - vegetative density + erosion +sediment yield + water runoff - infiltration - thickness of soil + area of exposed rock Upland Channels- sediment concentration (easily eroded material is gone) +water w/rapid surface runoff +down cutting, isolating floodplains? Downstream Alluvial Channels-Initially there may be more sediment than the ability for downstream reaches to transport. Eventually a new relative equilibrium with more episodic events increasing variability and less channel stability? Sims - Adapted and modified from Bull, W.B., 1979. Threshold of critical power and streams: Geological Society of American Bulletin, v. 90 pp. 453-464.

20. 2000 Post Fire Gully Laird Creek Watershed Photo taken in June 2013

21. Headwaters of the Blackfoot River Snotel site burned by the 2003 Snow Talon fire in the Copper Creek Watershed & same location April 20, 2015.

22. Fire even without a warming climate can cause earlier snow melt. Copper Bottom snow water equivalent as compared to other Snotel sites before fire in 2000 vs. after fire in 2006. NRCS figures from Scott Oviatt 22

23. Changes in Stream Flow Regimes as a Result of Fire

24. Laird Creek House Picture on the left taken in 2000, note melted siding. The picture on the right taken in July 2001 after the flood! 24

25. Controlled burns & prescribed natural fires can help reintroduce fire onto the landscape with minimal adverse effects. 25

26. Bug Kill ~ Shook Mountain Area Bitterroot NF 2013

27. Effects of Mountain Pine Beetle Die-off

28. Floodplain & Riparian Area Protection Important for Natural Storage

30. How Much Water Can a Floodplain or Wetland Hold?

31. Elkhorn Creek Riparian Area Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

32. Binarche Creek RNA, Idaho Protection of floodplains and wetlands a low cost management option!

34. Flooding in Missoula’s Tower Street Area, June 2011 Proper urban zoning is part of the natural storage answer.

37. Some Benefits of Beaver Dams

38. Some Structural Options: Adaptation Measures to Ensure Water Supplies

39. Natural Process Options Easily Accomplished

41. Legal Options

42. Other Options?

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