Effects of vegetative manipulations on sediment concentrations in north-central Arizona

Abstract

The sediment rating curve (SRC) method was used to study the effects of vegetative manipulations on sediment concentrations on the Beaver Creek watersheds of north-central Arizona. A linear model was best in the analysis of streamflow-sediment relationships. The corrected linear model eliminated some bias of the linear model and improved prediction. Partitioning data by streamflow-generating events and hydrograph stages produced significantly different SRCs and increased the descriptive and predictive powers. Due to insufficient data at the high streamflow range, SRCs for the pinyon-juniper watersheds had low values of ra SRCs for the ponderosa pine watersheds produced better results. More overstory removal resulted in higher sediment concentrations.