frozen — and are stored in the soil. The water is re- 

 leased gradually, and thus streamflow is maintained 

 during dry periods. On poor watersheds the water 

 runs off quickly, eroding the land and causing floods 

 (fig. 2). The rivers and streams fed by poor water- 

 sheds often provide too much water, often not enough. 

 The forested watersheds of New Hampshire present 

 some problems in watershed management: How to 

 protect them from fire and heavy cutting in order to 

 retain the best watershed conditions for leveling off 



streamflow? How to use watersheds for timber pro- 

 duction without endangering quality of water supplies? 



Recreation 



New Hampshire's forested mountains and its tree- 

 lined lakes and streams attract thousands of visitors to 

 the State. Along with the climate and the scenic 

 beauties, these forest settings make New Hampshire a 

 popular vacation land. Besides hunting, fishing, and 



Figure 2. — The water re- 

 source is largely a product 

 of forested watersheds. 

 New Hampshire's streams 

 often provide too much 

 water, often not enough. 



Forest Resources of New Hampshire 



