Press Release: Forest Thinning in Sierra Nevada Could Enhance Water Supply During Drought
Researchers from the University of Nevada, Reno have revealed that forest thinning in the central Sierra Nevada may significantly increase water runoff during drought years. The study, spearheaded by Associate Professor Adrian Harpold and doctoral student Elijah Boardman, indicates that water yields could rise by 8% to 14% following practices such as prescribed burning and tree removal. This additional water could be crucial for agriculture and urban areas in central California and northern Nevada that rely on Sierra snowpack.
Using advanced hydrologic models, the researchers demonstrated that fewer trees lead to reduced water consumption and increased precipitation reaching the ground. While some water is absorbed by understory plants, the net effect is an increase in runoff. Despite this rise, the study found minimal risk of large-scale flooding, although some smaller infrastructure could be impacted.
The findings align with initiatives like the Tahoe Central Sierra Initiative, which seeks to balance water supply, carbon storage, and wood products to fund forest thinning projects. Additionally, nonprofit Blue Forest is leveraging the promise of increased water yields to support bonds that finance essential forest-resilience projects.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
