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Water Infiltration Effects of Recreational Land Use

Water Infiltration Effects of Recreational Land Use. Geog 246: Tom Ditolla & Hugh Reece. Introduction. What are the effects of Ski areas on the mountain? Vegetation absorbs ground water that would otherwise flow downstream Without water infiltration the landscape would be altered

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Water Infiltration Effects of Recreational Land Use

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  1. Water Infiltration Effects of Recreational Land Use Geog 246: Tom Ditolla & Hugh Reece

  2. Introduction • What are the effects of Ski areas on the mountain? • Vegetation absorbs ground water that would otherwise flow downstream • Without water infiltration the landscape would be altered • Difference in soil types could also contribute due to density and compaction • Ski resort can create compaction and areas with high slope and no vegetation.

  3. Mad River Glen • The study sites are well trafficked areas of Mad River Glen Ski resort in Waitsfield, VT • MRG does not make their own snow • This is private property…it turns out that you do need permission

  4. Study Site • The study site is 700 acres. 115 of which are ski trails (16.4%)

  5. Objectives • Measure infiltration rates and bulk density • Compare data to storm characteristics • Calculate study site area

  6. Water Infiltration • We poured water into the infiltrometer and measured the rate at which it was absorbed into the ground • Materials: • “Infiltrometer” • Graduated cylinder • Pitcher • Knife • Broken Ski Pole

  7. Soil Density • Samples were collected by digging 353 cm^3 into the ground and keeping the middle 118 cm^3. The soil was then taken to the lab, where the water was extracted • We then heated the samples in a stove to extract the water. That gave us our bulk density rates. • Materials: • Auger • Broken ski pole

  8. Infiltration Rates The wooded areas were able to absorb water much faster

  9. West Branch Precipitation, Stowe VT Past storm event measurements indicate that the even the trails can absorb most of the water

  10. Soil Density The soil on the ski trails are significantly more dense

  11. Data Correlations • Areas with low density had high infiltration rates, while areas with high density had a very low infiltration rate

  12. Discussion • Large trails can affect the landscape by altering the amounts of water it can absorb • Although the ski trails dramatically change the landscapes ability to absorb water, the change is not great enough to cause damage • Understanding specifically what areas are at risk and focus on how to lower any negative effects

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