Water Stewardship Information Sources
| ID | 2003 |
|---|---|
| Citation | Winkler, RD, Giles, T, Turner, K, Hope, G, Bird, S, Schwab, J, Hogan, D and Anderson, D. 1998. The Silver Creek Fire Watershed Hazards Assessment. BC Ministry of Forests. |
| Organization | FLNRO |
| URL | http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/ffip/Winkler_R1998.pdf |
| Abstract/Description or Keywords | The Silver Creek fire began on July 29, 1998 along the north fork of Silver Creek. From there it spread north and east eventually covering the slopes to the west of the Salmon River from Silver Creek to Gordon Creek and all of the area draining the east slope of the Salmon River from Wall Creek to Rumball Creek. In total, the Silver Creek fire covered approximately 6,400 hectares. A map showing the watersheds within the area burned by the fire is provided in Figure 1. The immediate and long-term effects of the fire on both the land base and the residents of the lower Salmon River Valley are of concern. Immediately following the fire, work began to assess and rehabilitate the damage. During September and October of 1998, roads, trails and fireguards were rehabilitated, slopes were grass seeded to reduce erosion, and fire control related damage to private property was repaired. At the same time, the potential long-term effects of the fire on timber, hillslopes and watershed values were assessed. The effects of the fire on slope stability, erosion, stream channels, water quantity and water quality were assessed by a group of forest hydrologists, geomorphologists, pedologists and geological specialists from the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks with the assistance of private consultants. With the coming of winter and in consideration of the extent of the fire, this review was by necessity an overview. The objectives of the watershed hazards assessment were to identify areas of immediate concern, develop recommendations for salvage logging and describe the likely future downstream effects of the fire. The assessment team visited ground between Silver and Moutell Creeks to the west of the Salmon River and between Harold's Brook and Hobson Creek to the east. The assessment work focused on the Crown forest, however, potential valley bottom hazards (where streams flow onto alluvial fans near their confluence with the Salmon River) were also considered. Though a clear indication of valley bottom hazards is provided in this report, the group did not assess property specific issues on private land. The identification of specific issues related to individual properties and improvements will require the commissioning of detailed investigation by specialists. Private property owners should obtain advice from specialists experienced in debris flow hazard and risk assessment and in protection works design (engineers, hydrologists and geoscientists). This report describes hillslope, stream channel, water quality, flooding and physical valley bottom hazards for watersheds draining the area burned by the Silver Creek fire. It is not considered an exhaustive analysis but rather is intended to provide general information to the public and resource agencies. Supporting documents to this assessment report, including the Technical Supplement, maps and the Silver Creek Fire Post Seeding and Monitoring Report ; wildfire, sediment, erosion, landslide, peak flow |
| Information Type | report |
| Regional Watershed | Shuswap |
| Sub-watershed if known | Silver Creek, Salmon River |
| Aquifer # | |
| Comments | |
| Project status | complete |
| Contact Name | Rita Winkler |
| Contact Email | [email protected] |