ZK (2019-2020): Eagle Creek post-fire bedload transport seismic monitoring

• University of Oregon, United States of America

The Eagle Creek fire, declared contained on November 30th, 2017, burned a total of 48,831 acres in the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. The degree of impact as measured by soil burn severity was highly irregular, with highest degrees of burn concentrated on ridge tops and steepland regions above drainages such as Eagle Creek (where the fire started). Removal of vegetation from such regions is known to increase the likelihood of hillslope failure in the form of debris flows and landslides. This sediment may contribution to increased bedload transport and erosion in the coming years. During the time when Eagle Creek is closed to the public (now through summer 2019, US Forest Service personal communication), we hope to install timelapse cameras and short period seismometers within Eagle Creek gorge, to monitor stream levels and sediment transport during winter 2018/2019. Bedload transport has been demonstrated to be identifiable in seismic data, appearing within a distinct spectral band from rainfall and noise from turbulence within the flowing water. We will correlate seismic and time-lapse imagery with rainfall collected nearby to detect patterns in sediment supply and transport, and capture any bedrock erosion that may occur. The mosaic pattern of burn intensity within Eagle Creek gorge (parts of the canyon experienced severe burn intensity and denudation of vegetation, while other parts were virtually untouched) provides an excellent opportunity to study the role of upslope burn intensity on sediment flux. Seismic instruments will ideally be installed in October Fall 2018 and removed by June 2019.

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