Beaver Creek Watershed

Getting the Project Rolling

Between 1957 and 1962, 20 specific watershed study units within the Beaver Creek area were designated to test the effects of several vegetation management practices on water yield and other resources. Of the 20, 18 were watersheds from 66 to 2,036 acres where specific vegetation modifications could be tested on a pilot basis. The other two—encompassing 12,100 and 16,500 acres—were watersheds set aside to demonstrate the effects of management practices on areas of the size forest managers work with daily. Recently, 24 smaller watershed units, each having uniform soil, plant life, and topography, were defined in areas of diverse ecological characteristics. Information from these units helps refine and verify findings—from studies on the larger watersheds—for use over a wide range of conditions.