Emergency assessment of post-fire debris-flow hazards for the 2013 Rim Fire, Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, California
Open-File Report
2013-1260
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Abstract
Wildfire can significantly alter the hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows. In this report, empirical models are used to predict the probability and magnitude of debris-flow occurrence in response to a 10-year rainstorm for the 2013 Rim fire in Yosemite National Park and the Stanislaus National Forest, California. Overall, the models predict a relatively high probability (60–80 percent) of debris flow for 28 of the 1,238 drainage basins in the burn area in response to a 10-year recurrence interval design storm. Predictions of debris-flow volume suggest that debris flows may entrain a significant volume of material, with 901 of the 1,238 basins identified as having potential debris-flow volumes greater than 10,000 cubic meters. These results of the relative combined hazard analysis suggest there is a moderate likelihood of significant debris-flow hazard within and downstream of the burn area for nearby populations, infrastructure, wildlife, and water resources. Given these findings, we recommend that residents, emergency managers, and public works departments pay close attention to weather forecasts and National-Weather-Service-issued Debris Flow and Flash Flood Outlooks, Watches and Warnings and that residents adhere to any evacuation orders.
Suggested Citation
Staley, D.M., 2013, Emergency assessment of post-fire debris-flow hazards for the 2013 Rim Fire, Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, California: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013-1260, Report: iv, 11 p.; 3 Plates: 54.67 x 43.39 inches or smaller, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20131260.
ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)
Study Area
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Emergency assessment of post-fire debris-flow hazards for the 2013 Rim Fire, Stanislaus National Forest and Yosemite National Park, California |
| Series title | Open-File Report |
| Series number | 2013-1260 |
| DOI | 10.3133/ofr20131260 |
| Year Published | 2013 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Geologic Hazards Science Center |
| Description | Report: iv, 11 p.; 3 Plates: 54.67 x 43.39 inches or smaller |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Other Geospatial | Stanislaus National Forest;Yosemite National Park |
| Datum | North American Datum of 1983 |
| Projection | Universal Transverse Mercator |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | Y |