A new study by USGS and the California Geological Survey analyzes post-fire landscape response following the 2021 Caldor Fire, which burned a heavily managed forest setting highly likely to see more large, intense fires in the coming decades.
The research, conducted in the aftermath of the 221,835-acre (89,773-hectare) Caldor Fire, focused on a heavily logged, forested watershed in California's western Sierra Nevada, and provides findings needed to understand and anticipate post-fire sediment risks.
Sediment Increases Threaten Water Resources and Infrastructure
Wildfires leave hillslopes vulnerable to erosion, often leading to increased sediment transport in streams. This sediment surge can fill up water-storage space in reservoirs, damage infrastructure, and disrupt water supplies, particularly in regions where fire activity is intensifying due to climate change. Understanding the extent and timing of sediment delivery is crucial for resource managers assessing risks to ecosystems, water supplies, and downstream infrastructure.
Post-Fire Sediment Monitoring
Over two years following the Caldor Fire, scientists measured sediment accumulation in a reservoir downstream of the burn area. During the first year, sediment delivery was minimal, largely due to reduced rainfall and limited disturbances within the burned watershed. However, the second year saw a sharp increase in sediment deposition, driven by higher rainfall and ground disturbances caused by post-fire logging activities.
Implications for Resource Management
The study authors emphasize the importance of monitoring sediment-transport processes over extended periods following wildfires in heavily managed, forested watersheds. The findings from the Caldor Fire study area point to how post-fire activities, such as salvage logging, can influence sediment delivery, compounding the challenges posed by natural erosion. By adding to what scientists understand about post-fire sediment dynamics, the research can inform hazard assessments and management decisions about water storage reservoirs in fire-prone regions.
Part of a Broader Effort
The study is one of several led by USGS investigating post-fire sediment processes in northern California, aimed at supporting land and water resource managers as they navigate the growing challenges of wildfire impacts.
Related
Post-Fire Sediment Research at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Landscape Response to Disturbance
Related
Post-Fire Sediment Research at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Landscape Response to Disturbance
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