Dyer Mountain Ski Facility Watershed Assessment

H&C developed surface water budgets for the proposed ski facility for both the pre-construction and post-construction conditions. The surface water budgets were prepared using existing hydrologic data and information on watershed characteristics. The surface water budgets developed in this study were tools to be used to determine net effects from the proposed development on the environment to assist with initial planning decisions.

Within this study the pre and post-construction surface water budgets were compared to analyze any potential environmental impacts that might be caused by developing this area. Potential impacts to the surface waters of the site that were assessed include: 1) increases in impervious surfaces that would concentrate surface water flows and increase velocities thereby increasing the potential for erosion; 2) changes in ET rates created by changes in vegetation cover and type, thus inducing a change in water yield; and 3) changes in snowmelt and sublimation processes because of the addition of man-made snow.