Battle Creek is one of the largest tributaries of the Sacramento River. Extensive clearcutting in the Battle Creek Watershed began in

1998 and continued until 2012, when there was 27,000 acre fire in the area. Following the fire, the industrial timberland experienced

widespread "salvage" logging, which was conducted under an exemption to state forestry regulations that allowed for even more

extensive cutting. What is one negative impact that resulted from clearcutting?

A)

decrease runoff.

an increase in turbidity,

nitrogen levels plummeted.

drinking water that smelled bad.

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an increase in turbidity,

Explanation:

One negative impact that resulted from clear cutting around a watershed is the increase in turbidity of water.

Turbidity is the extent to which a water body loses its transparency.

This is usually as a result of the presence of some particulates dissolved in the water. In a turbid water, it is difficult for light to penetrate. Such water usually lacks transparency and looks muddy. When an area is clear-cut, the fringe top layer of the soil becomes exposed. The fines and particulates are carried into the water where contributed to the murkiness of the water.