Debris Basin and Deflection Berm Design for Fire-Related Debris-Flow Mitigation

Prochaska, Adam B.; Santi, Paul M.; Higgins, Jerry D.

doi:10.2113/gseegeosci.14.4.297

Cited by 24 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…These results confirm the general rule of greater debris-flow hazard during the first 2 years following a fire as postulated by Cannon et al (2011) and reflected in the reported occurrence of post-fire sedimentation in southern California (Santi and Morandi, 2013). Emergency-response personnel and land managers are increasingly aware of the immediate need to quickly institute appropriate mitigation measures to protect lives and property at risk from post-fire debris flows (DeGraff 1994;Prochaska et al, 2008;Lancaster et al, 2014;McCoy et al, 2016).…”

Section: Post-fire Debris-flow Hazard Potentialsupporting

confidence: 77%

A rationale for effective post-fire debris flow mitigation within forested terrain

Graff

2018

Geoenviron Disasters

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Watersheds recently burned by wildfires are recognized as having an increased susceptibility to debris flow occurrence. The great majority occur within the first 2 years following wildfires. These debris flows are generated primarily through the process of progressive entrainment of material eroded from hillslopes and channels by surface runoff and appears independent of the vegetative community burned. The decreased likelihood of debris flows over time is linked to the restoration of hydrologic function as vegetative cover and soil infiltration functioning return to pre-fire conditions. An exception to this pattern of post-wildfire debris flow susceptibility occurs in burned drainage basins with forest cover. A second, later period of increased debris flow susceptibility due to infiltration-triggered landslides can occur in burned forested basins. This later period of debris flow susceptibility is largely attributable to the fire-induced tree mortality and subsequent decay of tree root networks decreasing soil strength on steep hillslopes which produces an increased likelihood of debris flow occurrence 3 to 10 or more years after the wildfire. Consequently, post-fire mitigation measures in forested terrain must address the risk posed by debris flows caused by progressive entrainment during the 2 years following the wildfire and debris flows due to infiltration-induced debris slides three or more years later. Mitigation for the later debris flows in forested terrain involves identification of areas with infiltration-induced debris slides coincident with concentrations of fire-killed trees. Timely reforestation of these areas after a wildfire limits the loss of soil strength from decaying roots.

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Section: Post-fire Debris-flow Hazard Potentialsupporting

confidence: 77%

A rationale for effective post-fire debris flow mitigation within forested terrain

Graff

2018

Geoenviron Disasters

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“…They are typically 0.8 m high or less and may be pinned to the ground with steel stakes, thereby increasing resistance against sliding or overturning. No standard designs have been published, but VanDine (1996), Lo (2000) and Prochaska et al (2008b) suggest calculations for impact forces and debris run-up heights. Fig.…”

Section: Channelizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Calculations for many of the input parameters required for design are summarized in Lo (2000). Complete design procedures are given in Prochaska et al (2008b).…”

Section: Channelizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Debris-flow impact, vulnerability, and response

Santi

Hewitt

VanDine³

et al. 2010

Nat Hazards

Self Cite

100

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This paper calls attention to vulnerable groups that are disproportionately affected by smaller, less-publicized debris flow events and do not always receive the advantages of recent technical advances. The most vulnerable groups tend to be economically restricted to live in relatively inexpensive and more dangerous locations, are often forced to live in topographically cramped areas due to expansion and development, and have limited influence and power needed to bring about mitigative efforts. Technical issues have long been the focus for debris-flow hazard reduction, but the collective judgment of many of those working toward natural hazards reduction, especially in developing countries, is that socio-cultural issues are at least as important as technical choices on the effectiveness of hazard and risk-reduction efforts. This awareness may result in (1) selecting simple designs that use local materials, local construction techniques and skills, and that recognize limited financial means; (2) selecting mitigative methods that require minimal maintenance, can withstand exposure to vandalism and scavenging, and will minimize misappropriation of resources; and (3) capitalizing on local techniques of dealing with other hazards, such as flooding, earthquakes, and landslides. Because of the difficulty in predicting and controlling debris flows, it is useful if mitigative systems can employ multiple elements to enhance the chance of success. These can include: education of the local populace, avoidance and warning to the degree possible, and some combination of channelization and interception of debris. For watersheds disturbed by fire, logging, mining, or construction, hillside treatment can be added to the mitigative methods to reduce water flow and sediment transport. Examples provided in this paper show that these mitigative systems can be tailored to fit widely varying socio-cultural settings, with different geological characteristics and different debris flow-triggering events.

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“…These results compared favorably with those generated by an existing volume model. This As a result of these and similar events, a concerted effort has been undertaken among geoscientists to detail the physical behavior and impact of debris flows: from identification of triggering mechanisms and the probability of their occurrence (Cannon et al, 2010), to mitigation measures (Prochaska et al, 2008), and to their effect on local populations (Santi et al, 2011). Debris flows pose an especially significant hazard in burned areas, as the loss of vegetation and development of hydrophobic soils increase the potential for catastrophic events.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, some of the most effective event-management designs include deflection berms (Prochaska et al, 2008), catchment basins (Gatwood et al, 2000), debris rakes, and channel enlargement (Huebl and Fiebiger, 2005). The design criteria of each of these methods are based on the largest event that is expected to occur in the lifetime of the structure (the "design event").…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A probabilistic approach to post-wildfire debris-flow volume modeling

Donovan

Santi

2017

Landslides

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As populations continue to move into more mountainous terrain, a greater understanding of the processes controlling debris flows has become important for the protection of human life and property. The potential volume of an expected debris flow must be known to effectively mitigate any hazard it may pose, yet an accurate estimate of this parameter has to this point been difficult to model. To this end, a probabilistic method for the prediction of debris-flow volumes using a database of 33 debris flows in the Western United States is presented herein. A number of

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Debris Basin and Deflection Berm Design for Fire-Related Debris-Flow Mitigation

Cited by 24 publications

References 32 publications

A rationale for effective post-fire debris flow mitigation within forested terrain

A rationale for effective post-fire debris flow mitigation within forested terrain

Debris-flow impact, vulnerability, and response

A probabilistic approach to post-wildfire debris-flow volume modeling

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