In conjunction with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, PALCO has been monitoring the water quality associated with one timber harvest plan (THP) in the Freshwater Creek and Elk River watersheds. Both use continuously recording turbidimeters and "grab samples" as methods for data collection to determine whether harvest affects the amount of sediment generated from hillslopes.

Instruments are installed to monitor during the rainy season, with data collected from November through May. Grab samples are also collected during several storms to augment continuous instrumentation.