The Highway 50 landslide monitoring system uses data acquisition systems and radio telemetry developed by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program to operate in remote, hazardous sites with limited power. In many landslides, infiltration of rainfall or rapid snowmelt increases groundwater pressures. These elevated pressures can, in turn, trigger landslide movement.
Real-time Data
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Eldorado National Forest, has installed monitoring instruments on the Cleveland Corral landslide that has the potential to affect Highway 50. Data from these instruments are used to detect changes in local conditions including
Sensors are sampled every second and data are transmitted from the landslide to a USGS computer every 5 minutes.
Project Background
During January 1997, several large landslides closed Highway 50 between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, California. The photograph below shows the catastrophic Mill Creek landslide that closed Highway 50 for 4 weeks. A number of other landslides are episodically active in this corridor during wet years.
The Highway 50 landslide monitoring system uses data acquisition systems and radio telemetry developed by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program to operate in remote, hazardous sites with limited power. In many landslides, infiltration of rainfall or rapid snowmelt increases groundwater pressures. These elevated pressures can, in turn, trigger landslide movement.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
U.S. Highway 50, California - Current Landslide Status
U.S. Highway 50, California - Yearly Information
U.S. Highway 50, California - Report
- Overview
The Highway 50 landslide monitoring system uses data acquisition systems and radio telemetry developed by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program to operate in remote, hazardous sites with limited power. In many landslides, infiltration of rainfall or rapid snowmelt increases groundwater pressures. These elevated pressures can, in turn, trigger landslide movement.
Real-time Data
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Eldorado National Forest, has installed monitoring instruments on the Cleveland Corral landslide that has the potential to affect Highway 50. Data from these instruments are used to detect changes in local conditions including
Sensors are sampled every second and data are transmitted from the landslide to a USGS computer every 5 minutes.
Project Background
During January 1997, several large landslides closed Highway 50 between Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, California. The photograph below shows the catastrophic Mill Creek landslide that closed Highway 50 for 4 weeks. A number of other landslides are episodically active in this corridor during wet years.
The Highway 50 landslide monitoring system uses data acquisition systems and radio telemetry developed by the USGS Volcano Hazards Program to operate in remote, hazardous sites with limited power. In many landslides, infiltration of rainfall or rapid snowmelt increases groundwater pressures. These elevated pressures can, in turn, trigger landslide movement.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Laser scanning the entire Cleveland Corral landslide from across the valley during an active spring (2010). Repeat scans are used to detect movement throughout the slide. (Credit: Ben Brooks. Public domain.)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Toe of the active Cleveland Corral landslide in 2011, perched above US Highway 50 in distance. Movement typically only occurs during wet winter and spring months. (Credit: Mark Reid, USGS. Public domain.) - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
U.S. Highway 50, California - Current Landslide Status
Status as of April 3, 2018GeneralThis slide moves in response to elevated ground-water pore pressures caused by infiltration from rainfall or melting snow. It typically moves during a wet winter and spring and is dormant during dry times. Continued downslope movement of this slide will likely occur in future wet seasons.Displayed precipitation is cumulative since October 1, 2017.Current...U.S. Highway 50, California - Yearly Information
Yearly summaries of past precipitation, movement, and ground water pressures (for the water year beginning October 1). These can be viewed by opening each year's summary graph.U.S. Highway 50, California - Report
Mark E. Reid, and Richard G. LaHusen, 1998, Real-time Monitoring of Active Landslides Along Highway 50, El Dorado County: adapted from: California Geology, v.51, n.3, p.17-20