Beaver Creek Watershed

Measuring Results of Treatments

Before any vegetation was changed, runoff from each watershed was measured for several years to determine streamflow variations under pretreatment conditions. During this time, the quantity and quality of other natural resources also were inventoried.

With pretreatment measurements completed, six watersheds—Bar-M and Watersheds 2, 5, 13, 15, and 18—were designated as untreated "controls". They were shown to respond to environmental influences in a manner similar to the watersheds where experimental treatments would be applied.

Measurements continue on both experimental and control watersheds for several years after treatments are applied. Streamflow, sediment production, and water quality are monitored regularly, and other resources are reinventoried periodically. Changes caused by the management practices applied to the experimental units are evaluated by comparing posttreatment values with pretreatment data and with data from the untreated "control" watersheds.