Document Type
Student Presentation
Publication Date
4-11-2011
Abstract
Fire-related debris flows play a significant role on the long term sediment yield of the Salmon River Basin. Previous studies (Kirchner et al., 2001) quantified the total long term sediment yield of the Salmon Basin at 261 36 tkm/yr. This study aims to quantify the Middle Fork’s contribution of sediment from fire-related debris flows to the long term sediment yield. Multiple debris flow deposits were surveyed on the Middle Fork and the Kotch Creek deposit was analyzed using the program MATLAB to find the volume of deposition. Using charcoal found in stratigraphic profiles of the deposits and C14 dating, the timing and occurrence of periods of deposition were found. Volume calculations coupled with timing data from carbon dating allows for the reconstruction of the long term sediment yield contribution of fire-related debris flows on the Middle Fork Salmon River. Calculated volumes will be compared with estimated volumes from empirical formulas based on remotely sensed spatial data (burn severity and slope), measured geometric data (longitudinal profile, cross sectional area, flow banking angle), and precipitation records (Cannon et al.,2010)
Faculty Sponsor
Dr. Jen Pierce