Reforestation reduces streamflow in the southeastern United States

ABSTRACT: Reforestation in the southeastern United States is reducing streamflow over large areas of land. Ten large river basins encompassing 54,000 km2 had 10% to 28% of their respective areas reforested between 1919 and 1967. This reforestation reduced water yields in the river basins 3 cm to 10 cm. These reductions constituted a 4% to 21% decline in annual stream discharge, a decline that was statistically significant in a majority of the basins. The streamflow reductions as a result of reforestation tended to be greater during dry years then during wet years.