Thursday August 29, 2024
Utah State University —
A new USU study has shed light on how mountain streams in the Upper Colorado Basin respond to the compounded disturbances of wildfire, extreme precipitation and debris flows.
The study, led by Utah Water Research Laboratory graduate student Paxton Ridgway, USU Professor Belize Lane, and a team of researchers from USU, Simon Fraser University, and the U.S. Geological Survey, explored the intricate dynamics that govern river morphology following wildfire, extreme precipitation and debris flows. The team utilized an array of methodologies including repeat field surveys, time-lapse photography, and remote sensing data.
“We were thrilled to perform a multi-year field-intensive study in a fascinating system that has experienced the implications of shifting wildfire and hydrologic regimes in the western US,” Ridgeway said. “This research examines real-world consequences for downstream environments and human infrastructure from the headwaters to the outlet of the Colorado River.”