the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Characteristics of debris flow prone watersheds and triggering rainstorms following the Tadpole Fire, New Mexico, USA
Abstract. Moderate and high severity fires promote increases in runoff and erosion, leading to a greater likelihood of extreme geomorphic responses, including debris flows. In the first several years following fire, the majority of debris flows initiate when runoff rapidly entrains sediment on steep slopes. From a hazard perspective, it is important to be able to anticipate when and where watershed responses will be dominated by debris flows rather than flood flows. Rainfall intensity averaged over a 15-minute duration, I15, in particular, has been identified as a key predictor of debris flow likelihood. Developing effective warning systems and predictive models for post-fire debris flow hazards therefore relies on high-temporal resolution rainfall data at the time debris flows initiate. In this study, we documented the geomorphic response of a series of watersheds following a wildfire in western New Mexico, USA, with an emphasis on constraining debris flow timing within rainstorms to better characterize debris flow-triggering rainfall intensities. We estimated temporal changes in soil hydraulic properties and ground cover in areas burned at different severities over 2+ years to offer explanations for observed differences in spatial and temporal patterns in debris flow activity. We observed 16 debris flows, all of which initiated during the first several months following the fire. The average recurrence interval of the debris flow-triggering I15 is 1.3 years, which highlights the susceptibility of recently burned watersheds to runoff-generated debris flows in this region. All but one of the debris flows initiated in watersheds burned primarily at moderate or high soil burn severity. Since soil hydraulic properties appeared to be relatively resilient to burning, we attribute reduced debris flow activity at later times to decreases in the fraction of bare ground. Results provide additional constraints on the rainfall characteristics that promote post-fire debris flow initiation in a region where fire size and severity have been increasing.
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Notice on discussion status
The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.
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Preprint
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Supplement
(527 KB)
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The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.
- Preprint
(3728 KB) - Metadata XML
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Supplement
(527 KB) - BibTeX
- EndNote
- Final revised paper
Journal article(s) based on this preprint
Interactive discussion
Status: closed
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1672', Giuseppe Esposito, 12 Oct 2023
The manuscript is a solid and interesting contribution documenting post-fire debris flows in New Mexico (USA), where the research team is dedicating considerable efforts for understanding both predisposing and triggering factors that control the initiation of these processes, as reported in their recent papers and datasets. The current work presents a series of results deriving from both monitoring and modeling activities which are well depicted and supported by a robust bibliographic background. In particular, original measurements collected in the field make the research outcomes noteworthy and helpful for other scientists that are investigating the same hazard in the USA and worldwide. The overall quality of the manuscript is very good. I have just a few questions and suggestions reported in the attached pdf file that may contribute to improve the article before considering it for publication in NHESS.
In summary, the Authors carried out both monitoring and modeling activities but the related description is often mixed in a way to generate some confusion in the reader. This is evident in the description of objectives and methodologies. Minor corrections to the text and additional photographs could clarify some steps which are described too succinctly in the methodology section. Â
The Authors provided a sufficient number of Figures of good quality. However, I suggest to improve the Figures 1 and 3 by adding some relevant contents as highlighted in the annotated pdf file. Further tables or charts could be added in the results section to better display characteristics of triggering rainstorms.
In the discussion section, I have noted that the Authors refer mostly to the USA-related literature. I suggest to consider also valuable studies performed in other continents, since several findings (e.g., concentration of PFDFs in the first months after fires) show relevant similarities with other settings. This may emphasize the article impact in the future. More comments about lower runoff rates in areas burned at moderate/high severity in the first months after the fire are welcome.
Kind regards
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AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
Thank you taking the time to review our manuscript. Attached, please find our responses to each comment contained in the pdf. Reviewer comments are identified by the relevant line number, table number, or figure number from the original submission.
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AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
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RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1672', Don Lindsay, 28 Nov 2023
The authors did a great job illustrating the importance of ground cover over infiltration capacity in triggering PFDFs. I believe the study approach they applied will provide a template and foundation for other scientists in the field to emulate and build from, respectively. I appreciate the concise, easily-digestible writing style they applied. In addition, I thought the figures were well thought out and do a great job presenting the data. I provide minimal comments in the attached pdf for the authors to consider. Â
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AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
Thank you taking the time to review our manuscript. Attached, please find our responses to each comment contained in the pdf. Reviewer comments are identified by the relevant line number, table number, or figure number from the original submission.
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AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
Interactive discussion
Status: closed
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1672', Giuseppe Esposito, 12 Oct 2023
The manuscript is a solid and interesting contribution documenting post-fire debris flows in New Mexico (USA), where the research team is dedicating considerable efforts for understanding both predisposing and triggering factors that control the initiation of these processes, as reported in their recent papers and datasets. The current work presents a series of results deriving from both monitoring and modeling activities which are well depicted and supported by a robust bibliographic background. In particular, original measurements collected in the field make the research outcomes noteworthy and helpful for other scientists that are investigating the same hazard in the USA and worldwide. The overall quality of the manuscript is very good. I have just a few questions and suggestions reported in the attached pdf file that may contribute to improve the article before considering it for publication in NHESS.
In summary, the Authors carried out both monitoring and modeling activities but the related description is often mixed in a way to generate some confusion in the reader. This is evident in the description of objectives and methodologies. Minor corrections to the text and additional photographs could clarify some steps which are described too succinctly in the methodology section. Â
The Authors provided a sufficient number of Figures of good quality. However, I suggest to improve the Figures 1 and 3 by adding some relevant contents as highlighted in the annotated pdf file. Further tables or charts could be added in the results section to better display characteristics of triggering rainstorms.
In the discussion section, I have noted that the Authors refer mostly to the USA-related literature. I suggest to consider also valuable studies performed in other continents, since several findings (e.g., concentration of PFDFs in the first months after fires) show relevant similarities with other settings. This may emphasize the article impact in the future. More comments about lower runoff rates in areas burned at moderate/high severity in the first months after the fire are welcome.
Kind regards
-
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
Thank you taking the time to review our manuscript. Attached, please find our responses to each comment contained in the pdf. Reviewer comments are identified by the relevant line number, table number, or figure number from the original submission.
-
AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
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RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-1672', Don Lindsay, 28 Nov 2023
The authors did a great job illustrating the importance of ground cover over infiltration capacity in triggering PFDFs. I believe the study approach they applied will provide a template and foundation for other scientists in the field to emulate and build from, respectively. I appreciate the concise, easily-digestible writing style they applied. In addition, I thought the figures were well thought out and do a great job presenting the data. I provide minimal comments in the attached pdf for the authors to consider. Â
-
AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
Thank you taking the time to review our manuscript. Attached, please find our responses to each comment contained in the pdf. Reviewer comments are identified by the relevant line number, table number, or figure number from the original submission.
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AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Luke A. McGuire, 09 Jan 2024
Peer review completion
Post-review adjustments
Journal article(s) based on this preprint
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Luke A. McGuire
Francis K. Rengers
Ann M. Youberg
Alexander N. Gorr
Olivia J. Hoch
Rebecca Beers
Ryan Porter
The requested preprint has a corresponding peer-reviewed final revised paper. You are encouraged to refer to the final revised version.
- Preprint
(3728 KB) - Metadata XML
-
Supplement
(527 KB) - BibTeX
- EndNote
- Final revised paper