Harr, R. Dennis; Coffin, Bengt A. 1992. Influence of timber harvest on rain-on-snow runoff: a mechanism for cumulative watershed effects. In: Jones, Mikeal E.; Laenen, Antonius, eds. Interdisciplinary approaches in hydrology and hydrogeology. [Place of publication unknown]: American Institute of Hydrology: 455-469.
Rain-on-snow dominates many geomorphological processes inthe Pacific Northwest. Wind-aided transfers of heat tosnow during rain-on-snow comprise the largest source ofheat for snowmelt during rainfall. Recent field researchin western. Oregon and western Washington has shown thattimber harvest and thinning can increase both snowaccumulation and the wind-aided transfers of heat,resulting in higher rates of water delivery to soil
during rain-on-snow conditions. Increased rates of waterdelivery to soil can lead to higher streamflows and tolandslides on marginally stable slopes. Because of themagnitude of increase in water delivery to soils duringcommon rain-on-snow conditions and a hydrologic recoveryperiod that may require 40 years, rain-on-snow runoff is
an important mechanism whereby forest managementactivities might cumulatively affect water resources.