Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Emergency assessment of potential debris-flow peak discharges, Coal Seam fire, Colorado

November 1, 2002

These maps present the results of assessments of peak discharges that can potentially be generated by debris flows issuing from the basins burned by the Coal Seam fire of June and July 2002, near Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The maps are based on a regression model for debris-flow peak discharge normalized by average storm intensity as a function of basin gradient and burned extent, and limited field checking. A range of potential peak discharges that could potentially be produced from each of the burned basins between 1 ft3/s (0.03 m3/s) and greater than 5,000 ft3/s (>141 m3/s) is calculated for the 5-year, 1-hour storm of 0.80 inches (20 mm). The 25-year, 1-hour storm of 1.3 inches (33 mm). The 100- year, 1-hour storm of 1.8 inches (46 mm) produced peak discharges between 1 and greater than 8,000 ft3/s (>227 m3/s). These maps are intended for use by emergency personnel to aid in the preliminary design of mitigation measures, and the planning of evacuation timing and routes.

Publication Year 2002
Title Emergency assessment of potential debris-flow peak discharges, Coal Seam fire, Colorado
DOI 10.3133/ofr02379
Authors Susan H. Cannon, John A. Michael, Joseph E. Gartner, Alan H. Rea, Steven P. Garcia
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2002-379
Index ID ofr02379
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Denver Federal Center; Geologic Hazards Science Center; National Geospatial Program