Rong et al. (2026) Stochastic Hydrology Reveals the Controls of Forest Harvesting - Peakflow Causal Relations in Snow-Transient Environment

Identification

• Journal: Advances in Water Resources
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-07-20
• Authors: WeiTao Rong, Kyle S. Bishop, Younes Alila
• DOI: 10.1016/j.advwatres.2026.105432

Research Groups

• University of British Columbia (Faculty of Forestry & Environmental Stewardship)
• H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest LTER Data Bank

Short Summary

This study applies a probabilistic framework to nine pairs of control-treatment watersheds in the snow-transient environment of the Pacific Northwest, evaluating the effects of varied forest harvesting practices on peakflow magnitude and frequency.

Objective

• Investigate how forest harvesting-induced changes in the mean and variability of peakflows influence the magnitude and frequency of extreme peakflows at the upper tail of the flood frequency curve (FFC).
• Examine how forest harvesting-induced changes in Water Available for Runoff (WAR) and runoff delivery efficiency to channels affect the mean and variability of peakflows.
• Assess how watershed-scale physiography and climate govern peakflow sensitivity to forest harvesting.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Watersheds in Oregon, USA, with elevation ranges from 450 m to 1100 m above sea level.
• Temporal Scale: Long-term datasets (1961-1990) for climate normals and post-treatment records of 17 to 50 years.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Partial Duration Series (PDS) frequency analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, and linear regression.
• Data sources: Discharge data from the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest data bank and long-term climate normals from PRISM Climate Group.

Main Results

• Forest harvesting increased the mean and variability of peakflows in Coyote Creek and Fox Creek watersheds, with higher treatment effects observed at Coyote Creek.
• The effect of forest harvesting on peakflow magnitude and frequency was more pronounced in watersheds with drier climates.
• Tree removal and road building had a significant impact on the magnitude and frequency of infrequent peakflows (return period > 10 years).

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the effects of forest harvesting on peakflow magnitude and frequency, highlighting the importance of considering both mean and variability changes in the FFC.
• The probabilistic framework used in this study allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex relationships between forest harvesting, climate, and peakflow response.

Funding

• This research was funded by [insert funding agencies or projects, e.g., National Science Foundation (NSF), Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)].

Citation

@article{Rong2026Stochastic,
  author = {Rong, WeiTao and Bishop, Kyle S. and Alila, Younes},
  title = {Stochastic Hydrology Reveals the Controls of Forest Harvesting - Peakflow Causal Relations in Snow-Transient Environment},
  journal = {Advances in Water Resources},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.advwatres.2026.105432},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2026.105432}
}