Wetland Road Crossings Hydrological Monitoring Design and Data Summary

Road networks, both temporary and permanent, are necessary for accessing natural resources in the boreal forest. Forest roads can alter hydrology by 1) affecting the movement of water 2) reducing the amount of water that enters soils, 3) capturing and channelizing surface runoff, and 4) modifying subsurface flow paths. These changes to water quantity and flow characteristics can also result in changes to water quality through sedimentation and erosion. This report summarizes the results of a three-year (2010-2013) Sustainable Forestry Initiative grant-funded research project to evaluate the effects of forest resource roads and construction techniques on wetland hydrology in Manitoba's boreal forest. Project partners included Ducks Unlimited Canada, FPInnovations, Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd., Weyerhaeuser Canada and Spruce Products Ltd.