Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Geology

Department

Geological Sciences

First Reader/Committee Chair

Cato, Kerry

Abstract

This study focuses on the potential debris flow initiation and effect in areas affected by the El Dorado Fire in the Southern San Bernardino Mountains. It uses novel technology combining drone-based photography and LiDAR imaging to create surface models of areas where potential debris flows could initiate, flow, and be deposited. The scans were repeated as geomorphic change occurred through the wet season to document spatial and volumetric changes resulted from the flows. These measurements were combined with traditional fire assessment and observational methods to characterize pertinent conditions.

As we investigated potential debris flow risk in this study area, we also observed other drainage systems in the Yucaipa Ridge area where potential flows could occur or performed forensic observations where flows did occur. Due to the difficulty to predict where flows will occur, we wanted to provide as much documentation of pre-flow conditions as we could reasonable could.

The 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 wet seasons produced only minimal rains with only minor flows occurring in October and December 2021. In late summer 2022, a weakening Pacific Hurricane Kay storm produced the most significant flows to date since the fires. This study represents the documentation of flows generated from these storm.

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