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Abstract
Wildfires occur frequently in the Colorado Front Range and can alter the hydrological response of watersheds, yet little information exists on the impact of flow regime and storm events on post-wildfire water quality. The flow regime in the region is characterized by base-flow conditions during much of the year and increased runoff during spring snowmelt and summer convective storms. The impact of snowmelt and storm events on stream discharge and water quality was evaluated for about a year after a wildfire near Boulder, Colorado, USA. During spring snowmelt and low-intensity storms, differences in discharge and turbidity at sites upstream and downstream from the burned areas were minimal. However, high-intensity convective storms resulted in dramatic increases in discharge and turbidity at sites downstream from the burned area. This study highlights the importance of using high-frequency sampling to assess accurately wildfire impacts on water quality downstream.
| Publication type | Conference Paper |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Conference Paper |
| Title | Effects of flow regime on stream turbidity and suspended solids after wildfire, Colorado Front Range |
| Series title | IAHS Red Book |
| Series number | 354 |
| ISBN | 978-1-907161-32-2 |
| Volume | 354 |
| Year Published | 2012 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | IAHS Publications |
| Publisher location | Oxfordshire, U.K. |
| Contributing office(s) | Branch of Regional Research-Central Region |
| Description | 8 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Conference publication |
| Larger Work Title | Wildfire and water quality: Processes, impacts and challenges (IAHS Red Book no. 354) |
| First page | 51 |
| Last page | 58 |
| Conference Title | Wildfire and Water Quality: Processes, Impacts and Challenges |
| Conference Location | Banff, AB |
| Conference Date | June 11-14, 2012 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Colorado |
| Other Geospatial | Colorado Front Range |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |