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- Title
Hydrological response of small watersheds following the Southern California Painted Cave Fire of June 1990
- Authors
Gibbs, D. R.; Valentine, D. W.; Keller, E. A.
- Abstract
Following the Painted Cave Fire of 25 June 1990 in Santa Barbara, California which burned 1214 ha, an emergency watershed protection planwas implemented consisting of stream clearing, grade stabilizers andconstruction of debris basins. Research was initiated focusing on hydrological response and channel morphology changes on two branches ofMaria Ygnacio Creek, the main drainage of the burned area. Research results support the hypothesis that the response of small drainage basins in chaparral ecosystems to wildfire is complex and flushing of sediment by fluvial processes is more likely than by high magnitude debris flows. During the winter of 1990--1991, 35--66 cm of rainfall and intensities up to 10 cm per hour for a five-minute period were recorded with a seasonal total of 100% of average (normal) rainfall (average = 63 cm/year). During the winter of 1991--1992, 48--74 cm of rainfall and intensities up to 8 cm per hour were recorded with a seasonal total of 115% of normal. Even though there was moderate rainfall on barren, saturated soils, no major debris flows occurred in burned areas. The winter of 1992--1993 recorded total precipitation of about 170% of normal, annual average intensities were relatively low and again no debris flows were observed. The response to winter storms in the first three years following the fire was a moderate but spectacular flushing of sediment, most of which was derived from the hillslopesupstream of the debris basins. The first significant storm and stream flow of the 1990--1991 winter was transport-limited resulting In large volumes of sediment being deposited in the channel of Maria Ygnacio Creek; the second storm and stream flow was sediment-limited and the channel scoured. Debris basins trapped about 23 000 m3,the majority coming from the storm of 17--20 March 1991. Sediment transported downstream during the three winters following the fire and not trapped in the debris basins was eventually flushed to the estuarine r
- Publication
Hydrological Processes, 1997, Vol 11, Issue 4, p401
- ISSN
0885-6087
- Publication type
Article