Instead, the water can pick up substances such as oil, fertilizers, and road salt for deposit into storm sewer systems. The sheer amount and speed of runoff in these areas can have the strongest impact on water quality and habitat through streambank erosion and increased siltation. Without water filtration to groundwater, streams can nearly dry up or become stagnant in the absence of regular rainfall. Based on these and other findings, New York City identified forestry as a preferred land use within its waters supply watersheds. May 12, 1998.
Study shows suburban development severely degrades stream quality.
The Quabbin Reservoir, located in central Massachusetts, serves as the primary water supply for the city of Boston and is surrounded by forestland managed by the Metropolitan District Commission. The commission's focus is to protect the Commonwealth's environment and ensure future water quality through proper management of water and natural resources. An extensive literature review of issues relating to watershed management, however, prompted the commission to incorporate uneven-aged, mixed species silviculture into their plan to enhance and protect water quality. Patch, irregular shelterwood, and selection methods will be implemented to create these structurally diverse stands. The soil characteristics resulting from layered canopies, dense rooting, and undisturbed litter maximize infiltration of rain and snowmelt and limit runoff to tributary streams and the reservoir.