Kisatchie National Forest

 

Soil, Water, and Air

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Soil, Water, and Air

 

The Kisatchie National Forest's topography ranges from the surprisingly steep rocky hills on the Kisatchie District to level floodplains along streams. Elevations range from 80 feet above sea level on floodplains to over 400 feet in the Kisatchie Hills. The Forest contains the headwaters of the Calcasieu, Ouachita, and the Red Rivers and contains the watersheds of many smaller streams. These watersheds are vital to ecosystem health. Watersheds absorb rain and recharge underground aquifers. Watersheds serve as habitat for hundreds of species of fish, wildlife, and rare plants. They dissipate floods across floodplains, increasing soil fertility and minimizing damage to lives, property, and streams. Downstream communities depend on the clean water that flows from watersheds on the national forest for consumption, food production, agricultural development, employment, and recreation.

The Forest Service is very aware that activities can affect the quality and quantity of water flowing through a watershed. Good forestry practices prevent erosion and conserve soil fertility. Trees and vegetation filter debris and sediment. Vegetation along streams is carefully protected to prevent sediment from reaching streams. Trees provide shade, which stabilizes temperature for fish. Although streams naturally contain some sediment and nutrients, forest management practices insure that there aren't increases to naturally occurring amounts.

Most of the more than 5,000 miles of stream channels that flow on the KNF are very small but the Forest contains about 300 miles of streams that flow year round. Several have been designated Louisiana Natural and Scenic streams: Corney Bayou, Kisatchie Bayou, Six Mile Creek, Whiskey Chitto Creek, Spring Creek, Fish Creek and Big Creek, and the uniquely "Louisiana" Saline Bayou National Wild and Scenic River flows through the Winn Ranger District.

The National Forest provides drinking water to surrounding communities. Aquifers under national forest land supply about 7 billion gallons of groundwater water per year to municipal water systems including the City of Alexandria. Water District No. 3 supplies water from Big Creek to Rapides Parish. Big Creek is supplied by a watershed located mostly on national forest land.

The high productivity of soils on the KNF provide for lush vegetation and rapid growth of trees. The Forest Service works to maintain soil productivity. But soil productivity can be damaged by erosion and rutting which can be caused by 4-wheelers and other vehicles riding off designated trails. Eroded soil can move into stream channels and damage habitat for fish. The Forest Service works to restore any damaged land surfaces. Areas are carefully reshaped and seeded to restore vegetation to hold soil and prevent erosion.

The Forest Service also works to preserve over 9,300 acres of wetlands that are located on the KNF. These wetland areas are recognized as the most productive areas for unique plants that provide habitat for wildlife such as migrant birds and waterfowl.

Air quality on the KNF is generally excellent and meets all standards. Smoke from prescribed burning and wildfires causes noticeable impact to air quality. Forest Service burning is planned, scheduled, and conducted to prevent smoke from moving into sensitive areas such as highways or populated areas.

 

 

 

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