Wood Load - Unglaciated Partially Confined Channels
(Information compiled by Dan Cadol)
Wood load in this process domain is expected to incorporate characteristics from both confined and unconfined glaciated domains. Depending on the degree of confinement, it may be quite similar to one of the two endpoint domains.
Like the other unglaciated process domains, aspect may affect wood load. North- facing slopes retain moisture better than south-facing slopes and thus are able to support larger and more closely spaced trees.
Beavers - Unglaciated Partially Confined Channels
Beavers may inhabit partially confined reaches, depending on the gradient and the availability of willow. It is possible that in some cases their presence may, over time, make the reach more suitable for other beavers. Hypothetically, if a dam is constructed and is maintained in a low gradient section of this process domain, it may trap sediment and further reduce the gradient upstream of the dam. In this way beaver activity may migrate upstream into steeper reaches, with the dams creating a stair-step profile in the channel.