Introduction
This project aims to support the beginning stages
of research into meltwater detention ponds,
within the Harrop-Procter Community Forest
boundary area. The objective is to provide a
useful overview of suitable sites for water storage
systems within the local watershed.

Meltwater Detention Systems:
Site Suitability Analysis in the Harrop-Procter Community Forest

Results
After converting the overlay results from raster to
polygon, 93 plots met the identified criteria and
are suggested for further suitability investigation
(map 2). 58 of those plots had a connected area
greater than 1 ha (map 1).

Water Detention Systems:
 Reduce runoff
 Control erosion
 Intercept pollution
 Provide storage
 Enhance biodiversity
 Prevent floods
Natural Design: ability to utilize pre-existing
topographical features
Globally Applicable: not geographically or
climate specific; pond systems can be
applied across a variety of landscapes

Map 2: site accessibility and cutblocks

ArcPro was used to create a 3D visualization of
suitable sites across the Harrop-Procter
Community Forest land base (map 4).

Adjustable: the sizing of the pond and
system can be adapted for the receiving
catchment/drainage area

Limitations and Assumptions
The project assumed each thematic layer to be
weighted equally in the overlay process, this may
not be realistic, or true to priorities.

Methods
ArcGIS was used to conduct a spatial analysis
prioritizing inputs of slope, terrain stability,
elevation, and proximity to streams. Additional
considerations were given to current cutblock
and forestry road locations for construction and
maintenance ease (map 2).
Preparation for weighted overlay analysis
through reclassification:
• The digital elevation model (DEM) was
ranked to prioritize mid-elevation altitudes:
600-1000m
• Terrain was weighted for the most stable
locations
• Slope was prioritized at values: <25% (map 3)
• Stream data was rasterized and buffered to
isolate areas within 50m of a waterway

Potentially critical themes were not included in
the overlay analysis:
• Flow accumulation modelling and catchment
size information.
• Soil type; suggested texture would be sandy
clay loam (Kumar et al. 2017).
• Detailed land-use and land-cover layers.

Map 3: incline levels

Limited research is available regarding detention
implementation across mid-elevation, upstream,
forested, mountain topography. There is a need
to consider how this specific terrain impacts
infrastructure and alters engineering
expectations for site development.

The final output considered regions greater than
500 m2 as ideal. The minimum pond sizing was
selected from average case study research
suggestions (Larm 2000). The elevation range
was specified to move the detention basins
farther into the watershed, concentrating its
sediment storage and flood mitigation upstream,
outside of populated areas.
Map 4: ArcPro 3D visualizations of pond locations

The cutblock and road overlays showed
significant overlap with suitable detention basin
locations (map 2). Further research should
investigate logging as a source for planning
detention systems. As well as to consider how
these water storage strategies could provide
environmental support to cutblocks.

Data sources: Harrop-Procter Community Forest
Co-operative (HPCF)
Client: Erik Leslie, Forest manager HPCF

Map 1: final output

Created by: K. MacDougall
Selkirk College
IEP 271
April, 2019