Hydrologic Response to Pre-fire Mitigation Treatments in the Ashland, Oregon Basin

PROJECT NUMBER: 65

AUTHOR: Kacey Kim, Civil and Environmental Engineering | MENTOR: Jake Kurzweil, Hydrologic Science and Engineering

MENTOR: Terri Hogue, Civil and Environmental Engineering

ABSTRACT

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Proactive thinning and controlled burning are proposed to mitigate the effects of severe wildfires. Hydrologic function of watersheds after wildfires and clear cutting have been well documented but the impacts of pre-fire mitigation strategies are less understood. Two mixed precipitation watersheds, which supply drinking water for Ashland Oregon, are utilized to assess the effects of restoration and fuel reduction strategies on relative changes in hydrologic fluxes. This Mediterranean dry mixed conifer-hardwood habitat is unique as it sits in the convergence point of several ecoregions, providing significant biological diversity. This study statistically evaluates the hydrologic response to forest treatments that occurred from 2011 to present, including controlled burning, surface and ladder fuel reduction, and ecological thinning. Hydrologic responses include change in total water yield, annual runoff ratios, low flows, high flows, peak flows, base flow index, and timing of the center of mass of annual flow. Ultimately, our work aims to inform future implementation of forest restoration and climate adaptation on a larger scale.

VISUAL PRESENTATION

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wvgI5BROVoiSSy97oHEtwah-UrTzo3gT/view?usp=sharing

https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2019AGUFM.H23S2169K/abstract

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

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Kacey Kim is currently an undergraduate student pursuing a Major in Environmental Engineering. With the experience of conducting her own research, she was able to fall in love with environmental engineering and find a greater reason to pursue a higher education. She dreams to inspire others to take bold steps towards their interests and provide an outlet for students to experience freedom of thought, to see where it takes them. She sees herself as an individual who will take part in research as a mentor and a student. She devotes herself and her work to benefit communities, empowering young women and encouraging others to not be afraid to tackle local or global issues. She’s experienced first-hand the reward of giving, as she personally grew not only as a student but also as an individual on the Pine Ridge Reservation for Native Americans during a solar installation project. Additionally, She had the opportunity to conduct original research in the past few years, learning the importance of perseverance and creativity in the STEM field. She strives to continue her research and expand her interests, seeking to benefit diverse communities in the near future.

Sponsored by Phillips 66