The Effect of Mountain Pine Beetle Attack and Salvage Harvesting on Streamflows

The investigation uses the Baker Creek watershed as a test case to examine the effect of the mountain pine beetle epidemic on stream flows. Baker Creek, west of Quesnel, is a tributary to the Fraser River, where 75 per cent of the pine trees have suffered from mountain pine beetle infestation. The board used a computer model to examine the pine beetle effect. Using a 40-year record of streamflows in Baker Creek, the model simulates expected changes in stream flow following the beetle attack and salvage harvesting.