Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 1023 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Jordan, P and Curran, M. 2009. Terrace Mountain Fire, 2009, K50720 Post-Wildfire Risk Analysis. Prepared for FLNRO |
| Organization | FLNRO |
| URL | http://bcwildfire.ca/ftp/RSI/external/!publish/Wildfire_Risk_Analysis/2009_reports/K50720_TerraceMtn/TerraceMtn_2009_K50720_RiskAnalysis_PJordan.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | wildfire, forest disturbance, erosion, surface erosion; This risk analysis has been undertaken to evaluate the potential risks to public safety and infrastructure as a result of soil and hydrologic changes resulting from the Terrace Mountain fire northwest of Kelowna. Elements that were evaluated for potential risk included populated areas located on fans or flood plains below the fire, and the public road systems that access these locations. The Terrace Mountain fire burned about 9300 ha, including about 42% of the Shorts Creek drainage, and adjacent areas above Okanagan Lake and in the Bear (Lambly) Creek drainage. About half of the area was burned at high and moderate severities. The most significant area of high vegetation and soil burn severity is the lower half of the Stuart Creek drainage, and adjacent slopes above the Fintry High Farm area. The most likely increased hazards to occur in the first 3 to 5 years following the fire are: debris flows and floods in tributary streams due to increased runoff from the burned area, especially during high-intensity summer rainstorms and long-duration fall rainstorms; soil erosion from the burned area; and high runoff and sedimentation in the main Shorts Creek drainage. There is a high risk to public safety in part of the Fintry High Farm area of the Shorts Creek valley, where several houses are exposed to risk from possible debris flows or landslides from severely burned slopes above. There is also a high hazard of debris flows and debris floods on Stuart Creek, but because its fan is mostly undeveloped, the risk is only rated moderate. The Quilpituk Creek channel has a moderate increased risk of floods or debris flows. Other areas below the fire bordering Okanagan Lake have low risk. The Fintry fan at the mouth of Shorts Creek could experience slightly higher peak flows in spring as a result of the fire, but risks on the fan from increased flow or sediment load are low. Several recommendations are presented, for more detailed geotechnical studies, mitigation of risks, and communication of information on potential risks to stakeholders. flood, water quality, sediment, suspended sediment, landslide, surface erosion, terrain stability |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Okanagan |
| Sub-watershed if known | |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | Peter Jordan |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |