UERLA Report: Understanding the Effects of Tree Removal in Glover-Archbold Using i-Tree Software

Oliver, Lily

i-Tree Hydro modelling is used to predict the effects of tree removal, one element of a planned sewer rehabilitation project, on the total flow, pervious runoff, and total suspended solids in the Glover-Archbold satellite park of Rock Creek Park and in the Glover-Archbold watershed. These factors are important to understand given the specific concerns of flooding and erosion in Rock Creek Park. i-Tree Canopy is used to calculate the land cover percentages for the i-Tree Hydro cover classes, while literature searches and consultation with i-Tree experts informed model inputs. The different land cover cases modelled include the current land cover prior to tree removal, predicted land cover after tree removal, and a possible revegetation scenario. Each of these cases are modelled during 3 representative years (average precipitation, a wet year, and a dry year) from the last 10 years. Additionally, a short-term, high intensity storm event and a long duration, low intensity storm event are modelled to understand the impacts of these two extremes. It appears that this project will have very little effect on both the Glover-Archbold watershed and Glover-Archbold Park scales. Further alterations to the inputs, including design, artificially created to have a specific intensity, duration, and frequency, storm events and consideration of erosion and sediment control measures, would be useful directions for future research.