Upper limits for post-wildfire floods and distinction from debris flows
Science
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Abstract
Upper magnitude limits and scaling with basin size for post-wildfire floods are unknown. An envelope curve was estimated defining post-wildfire flood upper limits as a function of basin area. We show the importance of separating peak flows by floods versus debris flows. Post-wildfire flood maxima are a constant 43 m3 s−1 km−2 for basins from 0.01 to 23 to 34 km2 and then declining with added basin area according to a power law relation. Intense rainfall spatial scaling may cause the envelope curve threshold at 23 to 34 km2. Post-wildfire flood maxima are smaller than unburned flood maxima for similar basin area. Rainstorm comparisons indicate that post-wildfire floods are triggered by smaller precipitation depths than unburned floods. Post-wildfire exceptional floods are driven by extreme rainfall rates, in contrast to post-wildfire debris flows. Runoff rates for post-wildfire envelope floods are consistent with infiltration-excess runoff. Future increases in precipitation intensity or wildfire frequency and extent could increase post-wildfire flood upper limits.
Suggested Citation
Ebel, B., 2024, Upper limits for post-wildfire floods and distinction from debris flows: Science, v. 10, no. 8, eadk5713, 9 p., https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adk5713.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Upper limits for post-wildfire floods and distinction from debris flows |
| Series title | Science |
| DOI | 10.1126/sciadv.adk5713 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Year Published | 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Association for the Advancement of Science |
| Contributing office(s) | WMA - Earth System Processes Division |
| Description | eadk5713, 9 p. |