35 Geomorphic Responses to Holocene Climate Change in the Western USA II

Friday, 21 March 2008
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

STORM UNLEASHES MASSIVE DEBRIS FLOWS ON MOUNT HOOD, OREGON, NOVEMBER, 2006

Paper number: 35-8
Program: SYMPOSIA SESSIONS
Time: 3:50 PM – 4:10 PM

Authors

Abstract

In November, 2006, a storm generated a minimum of 13.4 inches of precipitation in six days, triggering major debris flows in many of the drainages on Mount Hood, Oregon. This subduction-zone volcano is located in the Cascade Range 80 miles east of Portland. The mountain has a long history of debris flow and lahar activity. To date, management response to high magnitude meteorological events has been limited by a lack of distinction between debris flow prone drainages and drainages with little to no response. Documentation of the November 2006 event is critical for the design of future hazard management plans. Recognition of common factors linked to debris flows at Mount Hood will be applicable to identification of hazard prone areas on other volcanoes in similar climactic and tectonic settings.

An initial reconnaissance survey was conducted on the primary drainages around the mountain. This assessment determined that the November storm triggered debris flows on all sides of the volcano. Of the eleven primary drainages surveyed, seven experienced powerful torrents; these include the White River, Salmon River, Clark Creek, Newton Creek, Eliot Creek, Ladd Creek and Sandy River basins. Five of these flows caused major damage to bridges and roadways. Highway 35, a key access route on Mount Hood, was closed in two places. Further investigation and analysis revealed two separate mechanisms for flow initiation. Debris flows appear to have been caused either by landslides, or through coalescence of multiple small debris flows into a major channel. Unconsolidated regolith was sampled in the initiation areas for subsequent particle size analysis and bulk density determinations. Physical characterization of source area materials will be used to assess factors controlling debris flow initiation. This project seeks to answer the question of why some drainage systems spawned debris flows, while others experienced only flooding. The primary outcome of the project will be a debris flow hazard map derived from the November 2006 storm event.