Articles | Volume 24, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-2093-2024
© Author(s) 2024. 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-24-2093-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Evaluating post-wildfire debris-flow rainfall thresholds and volume models at the 2020 Grizzly Creek Fire in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado, USA
Landslide Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Samuel Bower
Department of Geology and Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
Andrew Knapp
Colorado Department of Transportation, Denver, CO 80204, USA
Jason W. Kean
Landslide Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Danielle W. vonLembke
Landslide Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Matthew A. Thomas
Landslide Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Jaime Kostelnik
Landslide Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Katherine R. Barnhart
Landslide Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Golden, CO 80401, USA
Matthew Bethel
Merrick and Company, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, USA
Joseph E. Gartner
BGC Engineering, Inc., Golden, CO 80401, USA
Madeline Hille
BGC Engineering, Inc., Golden, CO 80401, USA
Dennis M. Staley
Landslide Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Anchorage, AK 99508, USA
Justin K. Anderson
Tongass National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Petersburg, AK 99833, USA
Elizabeth K. Roberts
White River National Forest, U.S. Forest Service, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, USA
Stephen B. DeLong
Earthquake Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey, Moffett Field, CA 94043, USA
Belize Lane
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Paxton Ridgway
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA
Brendan P. Murphy
School of Environmental Science, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada
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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.
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Gregory E. Tucker, Eric W. H. Hutton, Mark D. Piper, Benjamin Campforts, Tian Gan, Katherine R. Barnhart, Albert J. Kettner, Irina Overeem, Scott D. Peckham, Lynn McCready, and Jaia Syvitski
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Scientists use computer simulation models to understand how Earth surface processes work, including floods, landslides, soil erosion, river channel migration, ocean sedimentation, and coastal change. Research benefits when the software for simulation modeling is open, shared, and coordinated. The Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS) is a US-based facility that supports research by providing community support, computing tools and guidelines, and educational resources.
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Short summary
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.
Every year the U.S. Geological Survey produces 50–100 postfire debris-flow hazard assessments...
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