Jason Kean
My research focuses on the processes controlling debris-flow initiation and growth, particularly after wildfire, but also in unburned areas.
This research includes a field component that obtains direct measurements of debris flows in natural settings, a modeling component that seeks to explain the observations, and an applied component that focuses on assessment of debris-flow hazards. My previous research at the USGS focused on river mechanics, including bank erosion and the development of model-based approaches to gage streams and rivers.
Education and Certifications
University of Colorado, Ph.D., 2003, Civil Engineering
University of Colorado, M.S., 1998, Civil Engineering
Cornell University, B.S., 1994, Civil Engineering
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 28
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In situ measurements of post-fire debris flows in southern California: Comparisons of the timing and magnitude of 24 debris-flow events with rainfall and soil moisture conditions In situ measurements of post-fire debris flows in southern California: Comparisons of the timing and magnitude of 24 debris-flow events with rainfall and soil moisture conditions
Debris flows often occur in burned steeplands of southern California, sometimes causing property damage and loss of life. In an effort to better understand the hydrologic controls on post-fire debris-flow initiation, timing and magnitude, we measured the flow stage, rainfall, channel bed pore fluid pressure and hillslope soil-moisture accompanying 24 debris flows recorded in five...
Authors
J. W. Kean, D.M. Staley, S.H. Cannon
Relations Between Rainfall and Postfire Debris-Flow and Flood Magnitudes for Emergency-Response Planning, San Gabriel Mountains, Southern California Relations Between Rainfall and Postfire Debris-Flow and Flood Magnitudes for Emergency-Response Planning, San Gabriel Mountains, Southern California
Following wildfires, emergency-response and public-safety agencies are faced often with making evacuation decisions and deploying resources both well in advance of each coming winter storm and during storms themselves. Information critical to this process is provided for recently burned areas in the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues
Authors
Susan H. Cannon, Eric M. Boldt, Jason W. Kean, Jayme Laber, Dennis M. Staley
Observations of drainage network change in a recently burned watershed using terrestrial laser scanning Observations of drainage network change in a recently burned watershed using terrestrial laser scanning
Wildfire enhances the geomorphic response of a watershed to precipitation events, effectively altering the form of the hillslope and channel drainage network. Typically, drainage networks expand following rainfall on a recently burned watershed. Expansion of drainage networks following wildfire increases in erosion and sediment transport rates, and the probability of flash-flooding and...
Authors
Dennis Staley, Thad Wasklewicz, Jason Kean
Establishing a Multi-scale Stream Gaging Network in the Whitewater River Basin, Kansas, USA Establishing a Multi-scale Stream Gaging Network in the Whitewater River Basin, Kansas, USA
Investigating the routing of streamflow through a large drainage basin requires the determination of discharge at numerous locations in the channel network. Establishing a dense network of stream gages using conventional methods is both cost-prohibitive and functionally impractical for many research projects. We employ herein a previously tested, fluid-mechanically based model for...
Authors
J.A. Clayton, J. W. Kean
Evolution of a natural debris flow: In situ measurements of flow dynamics, video imagery, and terrestrial laser scanning Evolution of a natural debris flow: In situ measurements of flow dynamics, video imagery, and terrestrial laser scanning
Many theoretical and laboratory studies have been undertaken to understand debris-flow processes and their associated hazards. However, complete and quantitative data sets from natural debris flows needed for confirmation of these results are limited. We used a novel combination of in situ measurements of debris-flow dynamics, video imagery, and pre- and postflow 2-cm-resolution digital...
Authors
S.W. McCoy, J. W. Kean, J. A. Coe, D.M. Staley, T.A. Wasklewicz, G.E. Tucker
Test of a method to calculate near-bank velocity and boundary shear stress Test of a method to calculate near-bank velocity and boundary shear stress
No abstract available.
Authors
Jason W. Kean, Roger A. Kuhnle, J. Dungan Smith, Carlos V. Alonso, Eddy J. Langendoen
Landslide movement in southwest Colorado triggered by atmospheric tides Landslide movement in southwest Colorado triggered by atmospheric tides
Landslides are among the most hazardous of geological processes, causing thousands of casualties and damage on the order of billions of dollars annually. The movement of most landslides occurs along a discrete shear surface, and is triggered by a reduction in the frictional strength of the surface. Infiltration of water into the landslide from rainfall and snowmelt and ground motion from
Authors
W.H. Schulz, J. W. Kean, G. Wang
Modeling the evolution of channel shape: Balancing computational efficiency with hydraulic fidelity Modeling the evolution of channel shape: Balancing computational efficiency with hydraulic fidelity
The cross-sectional shape of a natural river channel controls the capacity of the system to carry water off a landscape, to convey sediment derived from hillslopes, and to erode its bed and banks. Numerical models that describe the response of a landscape to changes in climate or tectonics therefore require formulations that can accommodate evolution of channel cross-sectional geometry...
Authors
C.W. Wobus, J. W. Kean, G.E. Tucker, R. Scott Anderson
Field Reconnaissance of Debris Flows Triggered by a July 21, 2007, Thunderstorm in Alpine, Colorado, and Vicinity Field Reconnaissance of Debris Flows Triggered by a July 21, 2007, Thunderstorm in Alpine, Colorado, and Vicinity
On the evening of July 21, 2007, a slow-moving thunderstorm triggered about 45 debris flows on steep mountainsides near the community of Alpine, Colorado. Most of the debris flows were initiated by surface-water runoff that eroded and entrained loose sediment in previously existing channels. About 12 of the debris-flow channels were located in the lower half of Weldon Gulch upslope from...
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Jonathan W. Godt, T.C. Wait, Jason W. Kean
Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 1. Regular sequences Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 1. Regular sequences
Small-scale topographic features are commonly found on the boundaries of natural rivers, streams, and floodplains. A simple method for determining the form drag on these features is presented, and the results of this model are compared to laboratory measurements. The roughness elements are modeled as Gaussian-shaped features defined in terms of three parameters: a protrusion height, H; a
Authors
J. W. Kean, J.D. Smith
Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 2. Irregular sequences Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 2. Irregular sequences
The size, shape, and spacing of small-scale topographic features found on the boundaries of natural streams, rivers, and floodplains can be quite variable. Consequently, a procedure for determining the form drag on irregular sequences of different-sized topographic features is essential for calculating near-boundary flows and sediment transport. A method for carrying out such...
Authors
J. W. Kean, J.D. Smith
Modeling effects of bank friction and woody bank vegetation on channel flow and boundary shear stress in the Rio Puerco, New Mexico Modeling effects of bank friction and woody bank vegetation on channel flow and boundary shear stress in the Rio Puerco, New Mexico
[1] We have applied a physically based model for steady, horizontally uniform flow to calculate reach-averaged velocity and boundary shear-stress distributions in a natural stream with woody vegetation on the channel banks. The model calculates explicitly the form drag on woody plant stems and includes the effects of vegetation on the boundary shear stress, velocity, and turbulence...
Authors
E.R. Griffin, J. W. Kean, K.R. Vincent, J.D. Smith, Jonathan M. Friedman
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 28
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 97
In situ measurements of post-fire debris flows in southern California: Comparisons of the timing and magnitude of 24 debris-flow events with rainfall and soil moisture conditions In situ measurements of post-fire debris flows in southern California: Comparisons of the timing and magnitude of 24 debris-flow events with rainfall and soil moisture conditions
Debris flows often occur in burned steeplands of southern California, sometimes causing property damage and loss of life. In an effort to better understand the hydrologic controls on post-fire debris-flow initiation, timing and magnitude, we measured the flow stage, rainfall, channel bed pore fluid pressure and hillslope soil-moisture accompanying 24 debris flows recorded in five...
Authors
J. W. Kean, D.M. Staley, S.H. Cannon
Relations Between Rainfall and Postfire Debris-Flow and Flood Magnitudes for Emergency-Response Planning, San Gabriel Mountains, Southern California Relations Between Rainfall and Postfire Debris-Flow and Flood Magnitudes for Emergency-Response Planning, San Gabriel Mountains, Southern California
Following wildfires, emergency-response and public-safety agencies are faced often with making evacuation decisions and deploying resources both well in advance of each coming winter storm and during storms themselves. Information critical to this process is provided for recently burned areas in the San Gabriel Mountains of southern California. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues
Authors
Susan H. Cannon, Eric M. Boldt, Jason W. Kean, Jayme Laber, Dennis M. Staley
Observations of drainage network change in a recently burned watershed using terrestrial laser scanning Observations of drainage network change in a recently burned watershed using terrestrial laser scanning
Wildfire enhances the geomorphic response of a watershed to precipitation events, effectively altering the form of the hillslope and channel drainage network. Typically, drainage networks expand following rainfall on a recently burned watershed. Expansion of drainage networks following wildfire increases in erosion and sediment transport rates, and the probability of flash-flooding and...
Authors
Dennis Staley, Thad Wasklewicz, Jason Kean
Establishing a Multi-scale Stream Gaging Network in the Whitewater River Basin, Kansas, USA Establishing a Multi-scale Stream Gaging Network in the Whitewater River Basin, Kansas, USA
Investigating the routing of streamflow through a large drainage basin requires the determination of discharge at numerous locations in the channel network. Establishing a dense network of stream gages using conventional methods is both cost-prohibitive and functionally impractical for many research projects. We employ herein a previously tested, fluid-mechanically based model for...
Authors
J.A. Clayton, J. W. Kean
Evolution of a natural debris flow: In situ measurements of flow dynamics, video imagery, and terrestrial laser scanning Evolution of a natural debris flow: In situ measurements of flow dynamics, video imagery, and terrestrial laser scanning
Many theoretical and laboratory studies have been undertaken to understand debris-flow processes and their associated hazards. However, complete and quantitative data sets from natural debris flows needed for confirmation of these results are limited. We used a novel combination of in situ measurements of debris-flow dynamics, video imagery, and pre- and postflow 2-cm-resolution digital...
Authors
S.W. McCoy, J. W. Kean, J. A. Coe, D.M. Staley, T.A. Wasklewicz, G.E. Tucker
Test of a method to calculate near-bank velocity and boundary shear stress Test of a method to calculate near-bank velocity and boundary shear stress
No abstract available.
Authors
Jason W. Kean, Roger A. Kuhnle, J. Dungan Smith, Carlos V. Alonso, Eddy J. Langendoen
Landslide movement in southwest Colorado triggered by atmospheric tides Landslide movement in southwest Colorado triggered by atmospheric tides
Landslides are among the most hazardous of geological processes, causing thousands of casualties and damage on the order of billions of dollars annually. The movement of most landslides occurs along a discrete shear surface, and is triggered by a reduction in the frictional strength of the surface. Infiltration of water into the landslide from rainfall and snowmelt and ground motion from
Authors
W.H. Schulz, J. W. Kean, G. Wang
Modeling the evolution of channel shape: Balancing computational efficiency with hydraulic fidelity Modeling the evolution of channel shape: Balancing computational efficiency with hydraulic fidelity
The cross-sectional shape of a natural river channel controls the capacity of the system to carry water off a landscape, to convey sediment derived from hillslopes, and to erode its bed and banks. Numerical models that describe the response of a landscape to changes in climate or tectonics therefore require formulations that can accommodate evolution of channel cross-sectional geometry...
Authors
C.W. Wobus, J. W. Kean, G.E. Tucker, R. Scott Anderson
Field Reconnaissance of Debris Flows Triggered by a July 21, 2007, Thunderstorm in Alpine, Colorado, and Vicinity Field Reconnaissance of Debris Flows Triggered by a July 21, 2007, Thunderstorm in Alpine, Colorado, and Vicinity
On the evening of July 21, 2007, a slow-moving thunderstorm triggered about 45 debris flows on steep mountainsides near the community of Alpine, Colorado. Most of the debris flows were initiated by surface-water runoff that eroded and entrained loose sediment in previously existing channels. About 12 of the debris-flow channels were located in the lower half of Weldon Gulch upslope from...
Authors
Jeffrey A. Coe, Jonathan W. Godt, T.C. Wait, Jason W. Kean
Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 1. Regular sequences Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 1. Regular sequences
Small-scale topographic features are commonly found on the boundaries of natural rivers, streams, and floodplains. A simple method for determining the form drag on these features is presented, and the results of this model are compared to laboratory measurements. The roughness elements are modeled as Gaussian-shaped features defined in terms of three parameters: a protrusion height, H; a
Authors
J. W. Kean, J.D. Smith
Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 2. Irregular sequences Form drag in rivers due to small-scale natural topographic features: 2. Irregular sequences
The size, shape, and spacing of small-scale topographic features found on the boundaries of natural streams, rivers, and floodplains can be quite variable. Consequently, a procedure for determining the form drag on irregular sequences of different-sized topographic features is essential for calculating near-boundary flows and sediment transport. A method for carrying out such...
Authors
J. W. Kean, J.D. Smith
Modeling effects of bank friction and woody bank vegetation on channel flow and boundary shear stress in the Rio Puerco, New Mexico Modeling effects of bank friction and woody bank vegetation on channel flow and boundary shear stress in the Rio Puerco, New Mexico
[1] We have applied a physically based model for steady, horizontally uniform flow to calculate reach-averaged velocity and boundary shear-stress distributions in a natural stream with woody vegetation on the channel banks. The model calculates explicitly the form drag on woody plant stems and includes the effects of vegetation on the boundary shear stress, velocity, and turbulence...
Authors
E.R. Griffin, J. W. Kean, K.R. Vincent, J.D. Smith, Jonathan M. Friedman