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Project ID:

24-2-03-13

Year:

2024

Date Started:

08/15/2024

Date Completed:

Title:

Impacts of prescribed fire on the water supply and water quality in the Indian Creek Watershed

Project Proposal Abstract:

1. Problem Statement: The effect of prescribed fire on streamflow generation and water quality in the headwater region of the downstream Klamath River, CA, is poorly understood. Nonetheless, fire can be prescribed to address historic fuel build-up and is also traditionally applied by Tribes, including the Karuk. By collaborating with the Karuk Tribe, our study will improve our understanding of the influence of prescribed fire on water supply and quality, spatial coverage of hydrological and water quality data, examine effects of intermediate hydrological processes on streamflow and water quality, and evaluate the impacts on water resources in the Indian Creek Watershed (ICW) of Lower Klamath region.
2. Objectives: We hypothesize, that we will observe post-prescribed-fire influence on watershed properties and water storage on streamflow and stream water chemistry. Further, we hypothesize post-fire runoff will trigger more sediment erosion and enrich stream water with more solutes and dissolved carbon. Our study will (1) collect field data at an hourly scale (streamflow, soil moisture, soil and precipitation; water chemistry at a weekly time scale) and (2) deploy a physically based and distributed model with a biogeochemical module to simulate pre- and post-fire streamflow and nutrient export. To understand changes to streamflow and stream water chemistry, we will (3) compare the ratio of streamflow to precipitation, Q/P; (4) measure the duration and extent of hydrophobicity after rainfall events; and (5) compare streamflow volume, solute (nutrients and other ions) export, duration, and number of modes, and seasonality between the pre- and post-fire periods. We will conduct the above-mentioned objectives in pristine and burned headwater basins of ICW and ICW outlet. Comparing the hydrologic responses (pre and post fires) between pristine and burned headwaters will provide interesting insights on the influence of fire-related land cover on water supply and water quality.
3. Benefits: Our proposed work will produce a headwater and outlet dataset, informed by traditional ecological knowledge, to understand the dynamics of prescribed fire on key and intermediate hydrological processes and state variables for streamflow generation and nutrient and solute export. Study results will support Tribal engagement, and resource management by federal agencies, and the scientific community. Findings may be broadly applicable to understanding both prescribed and wildfire hydrological response.

Principal Investigator:

Taufique H Mahmood

Agency/Organization:

University of North Dakota

Branch or Dept:

Other Project Collaborators

Type	Name	Agency/Organization	Branch or Dept
Agreements Contact	Karen A Katrinak	University of North Dakota	Research & Economic Development
Budget Contact	Karen A Katrinak	University of North Dakota	Research & Economic Development