{ "culture": "en-US", "name": "Alluvial_Fans_Pitkin", "guid": "4ACADFF6-3022-48D0-8252-CF1F867671E4", "catalogPath": "", "snippet": "The Colorado Geological Survey (CGS) is updating the geologic hazard mapping for Pitkin County, specifically debris-flow susceptible areas related to alluvial fans. This dataset was developed using lidar-based mapping in Pitkin County.", "description": "

The CGS is providing lidar-based mapping to refine the currently mapped alluvial fans and debris flow-prone areas in Pitkin County. This new mapping is based on Pitkin County\u2019s existing geologic hazard maps but also includes new areas defined by lidar. Debris flows or mudflows are significant hazards associated with alluvial fans (discussed solely as debris flow in the remainder of this article). According to the American Geosciences Institute, <\/SPAN> <\/SPAN>Alluvial fans are \u201c<\/SPAN>A low, outspread, relatively flat to gently sloping mass of loose rock material, shaped like an open fan or a segment of a cone, deposited by a stream (esp. in a semiarid region) at the place where it issues from a narrow mountain valley upon a plain or broad valley, or where a tributary stream is near or at its junction with the main stream, or wherever a constriction in a valley abruptly ceases or the gradient of the stream suddenly decreases; it is steepest near the mouth of the valley where its apex points upstream, and it slopes gently and convexly outward with gradually decreasing gradient.\u201d<\/SPAN> <\/SPAN><\/P>

Lidar allows more extensive mapping of alluvial fan features where debris-flow hazards could occur. The magnitude of debris-flow hazards will likely increase following wildfire events. Pitkin County has expressed concern about their preparedness for post-wildfire natural hazards and contracted CGS to use readily available lidar technologies to more completely define alluvial-fan areas at risk for debris flows especially after wildfire events. This study seeks to compile, map, and define known and previously unrecognized alluvial fans with the aid of high-resolution lidar imagery. <\/SPAN><\/P>

Methods:<\/SPAN> Alluvial fans were digitized from 1-m (3.3 ft) resolution lidar, high-resolution aerial imagery obtained from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and Department of Natural Resources (<\/SPAN>https://coloradohazardmapping.com/lidarDownload<\/SPAN><\/A>) and collected by Merrick-Surdex Joint Venture, LLP and Merrick & Co. from 5/28/2020 to 10/19/2020. The intent of this study is to identify and map the extents of alluvial fans. This includes interpretation where the fans have been modified by human activities. The methods of identifying alluvium fans from the available lidar imagery included the following steps:<\/SPAN><\/P>