Theses and Dissertations Collection

Post wildfire stream buffer widths were tested for their ability to infiltrate surface runoff and reduce transported sediment. Rills were measured for travel length and sediment concentration under high and low severity conditions and at zero, one and two years since fire events. Rill length was significant for each burn severity class and at all flow rates tested. Rill length decreased in year two, but remained significant. Sediment concentration and transport were significant by burn severity through year one, but not in year two. Recovery was related to the vegetation regrowth and water repellency effects on infiltration. Standard 15 m buffers were sufficient to contain surface runoff at unburned sites. In year 1, low burn severity sites required 2x the standard width, and 4x for high burn severity sites. In year zero, high burn severity sites required 8x the standard width. In year two, widths were reduced 50% for each.