Overland flow areas in peatland forests

Typically, overland flow areas are set asides used to minimize the negative impacts of forest management on water quality. They are most commonly associated with peatland forestry in Finland but could be applicable in other areas of Europe. Overland flow areas collect some of the excess sediment produced during ditch maintenance and other forest management operations such as road building or harvesting. Overland flow areas are created by building a semi-permeable dam in a forest ditch. Upstream of the dam, lateral ditches are constructed to transport water into the surrounding catchment. During periods of high flow, water will overflow the lateral ditches and travel across land to reach the receiving lake or stream. As the water travels across land, its velocity will be slowed and much of the sediment being carried will be deposited. At periods of low flows, the permeable dam will slow water flow and cause deposition of sediment. Existing wetlands may function as overland flow areas but the use of ecologically valuable and endangered mires should be avoided due to possible changes in vegetation composition. Overland flow areas can also be part of more complex system for water treatment from agricultural areas and landfills.