WILDFIRE

Chip Cipoletti, Bella Farrell, Paige Forbes, Jenna Hartley

Testable Question:

Sedimentation Restoration Dependent on Slope: which material or method reduces flooding the most effectively

immediately after a destructive wildfire?

Hypothesis

If the proposed methods: • Basins• Flood gates• Mulching/pine needles• Planting• Culverts• Seals

of flooding prevention are investigated, then the construction of basins will be the most effective , because of their ability to completely cut off the flow of water.

Independent Variable: method of flood prevention

Dependent Variable: reduction damage caused by flooding

Controlled Variables: location/ecosystem, time frame, units of measurement, duration of flooding, amount of water, temperature/weather, slope of hill (model)

Proposed Investigation

• Model constructed replicating the aftermath of the wildfire– Allows for each method to be applied and tested

• Each method will be tested by imitating the effects of flooding on the burned areas

• At the end of each test the final amount of water and sediment washed off the slope will be collected and measured– The method with the least amount of water and

sediment left will be deemed the most effective

Method

Data Table

MethodAmount of Water (mL)

Amount of Sediment (grams)

BasinsFlood Gates

Mulching

Planting

Culverts

Seals

Bibliography • Burn area flood prevention act of 2011. (2011, March 3). Retrieved February

28, 2014, from http://beta.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/487• Clark, S. (2013, August 18). Partners seek to reduce post waldo canyon fire

flooding. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from http://www.csfreshink.com/profiles/blogs/partners-seek-to-reduce-post-waldo-canyon-fire-flash-floods

• Flood control. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flood_control

• Waldo canyon burn scar. (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2014, from http://www.rmfi.org/projects/waldo-canyon-burn-scar

• Waldo canyon fire. (2014, March 7). Retrieved February 28, 2014, from Colorado Springs Independent website: http://www.csindy.com/coloradosprings/why-flooding-off-the-waldo-canyon-burn-scar-will-be-

• Wells, G. (2013, August 16). Money ok'd for new culvert on U.S. 24 to minimize flash flooding. Retrieved February 28, 2014, from http://gazette.com/money-okd-for-new-culvert-on-u.s.-24-to-minimize-flash-flooding/article/1504939