In 1969 the entire watershed was clearcut down to 1-inch DBH except for a 7.4-acre protective strip of uncut trees left along each side of the stream channel. Logging roads were carefully laid out to provide efficient harvesting of forest products without harming other resources. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of clearcutting on the quality and quantity of streamwater.
In 1989, a new experiment was begun on this watershed. Since that time, ammonium sulfate fertilizer has been applied to the whole watershed 3 times per year, to mimic the effects of acidic deposition. From this research, we have learned that the forest appears to be very resistant to the elevated deposition, and that the major effects, although subtle, will be on soil and water.