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IV. WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES 

 There is an increasing interest in the effects of silvicultural practices 

 upon water quality. Researchers from public agencies and universities 

 are pursuing more detailed projects in an effort to more accurately 

 define such relationships. Private research projects are limited. 

 This section will provide the layperson with an understanding of water 

 quality impacts that may occur during silvicultural activities. References 

 are cited for further study of specific research projects. 



Due to the variability of watershed characteristics, there are some 

 problems with general application of results from a particular study area. 

 This fact emphasizes the need for watershed inventories and related 

 research to determine the limitations, requirements, and impacts of land 

 uses in forested watersheds. Further research pertinent to Montana's 

 forestland? and problems should be encouraged by appropriate agencies 

 and individuals. 



A. Sedimentation and Turbidity 



Sedimentation has been considered one of the most serious water quality 

 problems associated with forestry practices. Suspended solids may 

 directly affect fish, prevent development of fish eggs and larvae, 

 modify movements or migrations of fish, and reduce available food for 

 fish. Other affects of high suspended solids include degradation of 

 drinking water (and increased treatment costs) and impacts to recreational 

 uses. Settleable materials which blanket the bottom of water bodies, 

 may damage invertebrate populations, block gravel spawning beds, and if 

 organic material, remove dissolved oxygen from overlying waters. 



