Articles | Volume 23, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-2075-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-2075-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
07 Jun 2023
Research article |
| 07 Jun 2023
| 07 Jun 2023
The influence of large woody debris on post-wildfire debris flow sediment storage
Geologic Hazards Science Center, US Geological Survey, Golden, CO, USA
Luke A. McGuire
Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Katherine R. Barnhart
Geologic Hazards Science Center, US Geological Survey, Golden, CO, USA
Ann M. Youberg
Arizona Geological Survey, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Daniel Cadol
Department of Earth and Environmental Science, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM, USA
Alexander N. Gorr
Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Olivia J. Hoch
Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Rebecca Beers
Arizona Geological Survey, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Jason W. Kean
Geologic Hazards Science Center, US Geological Survey, Golden, CO, USA
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Every year the U.S. Geological Survey produces 50–100 postfire debris-flow hazard assessments using models for debris-flow likelihood and volume. To refine these models they must be tested with datasets that clearly document rainfall, debris-flow response, and debris-flow volume. These datasets are difficult to obtain, but this study developed and analyzed a postfire dataset with more than 100 postfire storm responses over a 2-year period. We also proposed ways to improve these models.
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Runoff and erosion increase after fire, leading to a greater likelihood of floods and debris flows. We monitored debris flow activity following a fire in western New Mexico, USA, and observed 16 debris flows over a <2-year monitoring period. Rainstorms with recurrence intervals of approximately 1 year were sufficient to initiate debris flows. All debris flows initiated during the first several months following the fire, indicating a rapid decrease in debris flow susceptibility over time.
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This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences (NHESS).
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Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 2359–2374, 10.5194/nhess-24-2359-2024, 10.5194/nhess-24-2359-2024, 2024
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Francis K. Rengers, Samuel Bower, Andrew Knapp, Jason W. Kean, Danielle W. vonLembke, Matthew A. Thomas, Jaime Kostelnik, Katherine R. Barnhart, Matthew Bethel, Joseph E. Gartner, Madeline Hille, Dennis M. Staley, Justin K. Anderson, Elizabeth K. Roberts, Stephen B. DeLong, Belize Lane, Paxton Ridgway, and Brendan P. Murphy
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Every year the U.S. Geological Survey produces 50–100 postfire debris-flow hazard assessments using models for debris-flow likelihood and volume. To refine these models they must be tested with datasets that clearly document rainfall, debris-flow response, and debris-flow volume. These datasets are difficult to obtain, but this study developed and analyzed a postfire dataset with more than 100 postfire storm responses over a 2-year period. We also proposed ways to improve these models.
Katherine R. Barnhart, Christopher R. Miller, Francis K. Rengers, and Jason W. Kean
Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 1459–1483, 10.5194/nhess-24-1459-2024, 10.5194/nhess-24-1459-2024, 2024
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Debris flows are a type of fast-moving landslide that start from shallow landslides or during intense rain. Infrastructure located downstream of watersheds susceptible to debris flows may be damaged should a debris flow reach them. We present and evaluate an approach to forecast building damage caused by debris flows. We test three alternative models for simulating the motion of debris flows and find that only one can forecast the correct number and spatial pattern of damaged buildings.
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Nat. Hazards Earth Syst. Sci., 24, 1357–1379, 10.5194/nhess-24-1357-2024, 10.5194/nhess-24-1357-2024, 2024
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Runoff and erosion increase after fire, leading to a greater likelihood of floods and debris flows. We monitored debris flow activity following a fire in western New Mexico, USA, and observed 16 debris flows over a <2-year monitoring period. Rainstorms with recurrence intervals of approximately 1 year were sufficient to initiate debris flows. All debris flows initiated during the first several months following the fire, indicating a rapid decrease in debris flow susceptibility over time.
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Tao Liu, Luke A. McGuire, Nina Oakley, and Forest Cannon
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A well-constrained rainfall-runoff model forced by radar-derived precipitation is used to define rainfall intensity-duration (ID) thresholds for flash floods. The rainfall ID doubles in 5 years after a severe wildfire in a watershed in southern California, USA. Rainfall ID performs stably well for intense pulses of rainfall over durations of 30-60 minutes that cover at least 15%-25% of the watershed. This finding could help issuing flash flood warnings based on radar-derived precipitation.
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Short summary
Debris flows often occur after wildfires. These debris flows move water, sediment, and wood. The wood can get stuck in channels, creating a dam that holds boulders, cobbles, sand, and muddy material. We investigated how the channel width and wood length influenced how much sediment is stored. We also used a series of equations to back calculate the debris flow speed using the breaking threshold of wood. These data will help improve models and provide insight into future field investigations.
Debris flows often occur after wildfires. These debris flows move water, sediment, and wood. The...
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