*QWR’s, Don Amador, recently helped
the FS’s wet weather management study lead, Roger Poff, with field research on
the Mendocino National Forest. QWR
thanks Mr. Poff, a leading soil scientist, for sharing his overview of this
important project with our readers.
Roger Poff Explains Soil Study to FS Resource and Recreation Specialists
Forest Service Wet Weather Management Studies – R. Poff
OHV traffic on trails under wet
conditions can damage treads and drainage structures. Determining when to open
or close OHV trails has been a challenge for trail managers. Some have used seasonal
closures; others have used rainfall. Both of these approaches have limitations.
Poff Takes Soil Moisture Reading at Sample Site
The USFS is conducting field
studies to develop an evidence-based method for opening trails based on direct
measurements of trail condition. Four pilot studies are underway, in the Pozo
area on the Los Padres NF, the Stonyford and Upper Lake areas of the Mendocino
NF, and the Sugar Pine area on the Tahoe NF.
Don Amador Pre-Sample Test Ride at Data Collection Site
The field studies involve measuring
soil strength and soil moisture, and correlating these measurements with observed
levels of trail damage. This information is used to predict the risk of trail
damage at different levels of soil strength and soil moisture. This prediction
of risk can then be used to develop threshold values to determine when to open
or close trails.
Test Site Recon with Roger Poff
This method will not be a “magic
bullet” to solve all the issues
related to opening and closing
trails under wet conditions. However, it will be an important tool in the trail
manager’s toolbox for managing trails under wet conditions.
The field studies will be completed
by October 2014.
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