Open-File Report 2012–1204
AbstractThe focus of this study is to investigate landslides and consequent losses which affected Colorado in the year 2010. By obtaining landslide reports from a variety of sources, this report will demonstrate the feasibility of creating a profile of landslides and their effects on communities. A short overview of the current status of landslide-loss studies for the United States is introduced, followed by a compilation of landslide occurrence and associated losses and impacts which affected Colorado for the year 2010. Direct costs are summarized in descriptive and tabular form, and where possible, indirect costs are also noted or estimated. Total direct costs of landslides in Colorado for the year 2010 were approximately $9,149,335.00 (2010 U.S. dollars). (Since not all data for damages and costs were obtained, this figure realistically could be considerably higher.) Indirect costs were noted where available but are not totaled due to the fact that most indirect costs were not obtainable for various reasons outlined later in this report. Casualty data are considered as being within the scope of loss evaluation, and are reported in Appendix 1, but are not assigned dollar losses. More details on the source material for loss data not found in the reference section are reported in Appendix 2, and Appendix 3 summarizes notes on landslide-loss investigations in general and lessons learned during the process of loss-data collection. |
First posted October 26, 2012 For additional information contact: Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. |
Highland, L.M., 2012, Landslides in Colorado, USA—Impacts and loss estimation for 2010: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012–1204, 49 p.
Introduction
Overview of Landslide-Loss Data Acquisition for the United States
Overview of Landslides and Landslide Information for Colorado
Significant Colorado Landslides in 2010—Impacts and Costs/Losses
The CDOT Rockfall Mitigation Program
Effects of 2010 Colorado Landslides on Roads and Highways
Effects of 2010 Colorado Landslides on Rail Transportation
Effects of 2010 Colorado Landslides on Public Lands
Landslide-Related Disaster Declarations in Colorado for 2010
Conclusion
References Cited
Figures
Appendix 1: Landslide Casualties in Colorado for the year 2010
Appendix 2: List of All Sources of Information and Data not found in Reference Section
Appendix 3: Notes on Landslide Loss Investigations and Lessons Learned