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Picture of channel erosion during 1976 Big Thompson Flood

Channel erosion during the 1976 Big Thompson River flood.

(Photo by S. Schumm)

Picture of Roaring River

Deposition along the 1982 flood route on the Roaring River.

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey)

Debris Flows - Unglaciated Partially Confined Channels

Unglaciated regions of the Colorado Front Range lie below 2,300 m, which coincides with a hydrograph dominated by rainfall, as compared to snowmelt above 2,300 meters.

Debris flows are more likely to be triggered in the unglaciated zones due to convective storms, with super-saturation and overland flow as the dominant debris- flow initiating processes.

Debris flow deposition is likely to reach the main channel due to the connection of the channel to the hillslopes.

Debris flows may contribute significantly to the wood and sediment of a channel.

Wildfires have a shorter recurrence interval in the unglaciated zones, which may also contribute to the likelihood of debris flows.

Debris will contribute sediment directly to the channel due to the close spatial proximity of the hillslopes

Floods - Unglaciated Partially Confined Channels

(Information compiled by Liz Gilliam)

Unglaciated regions of the Colorado Front Range lie below 2,300 m, which coincides with a hydrograph dominated by rainfall, as compared to snowmelt above 2,300 meters.

The great amount of discharge contributed to floods generated by convective storms will converge in these confined sections and can be extremely destructive.

Roads are often built directly adjacent to the channel, limiting any lateral migration and flood attenuation.

Large monetary losses can occur due to infrastructure losses.

Erosion and scour of the hillslope toe will enhance debris slides, contributing sediment and woody debris directly to the channel due to the close spatial proximity.

Beaver may have been more active in the unconfined reaches, influencing hydrologic and flood characteristics.

Picture of gutted road above Loveland Power Plant - Big Thompson Flood

(Above and Below) Deposition along less confined reaches of the Big Thompson River during the 1976 flood.

(Photo by S. Schumm)

Picture of deposition along less confined reaches during Big Thompson Flood

Picture of unglaciated confined channel

(Photo by E. Wohl)


Click a link below to learn about disturbance regimes in each process domain:

Colluvial Hollows Ephemeral Channels Glaciated Confined Glaciated Partially Confined Glaciated Unconfined Unglaciated Confined Unglaciated Partially Confined Unglaciated Unconfined
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