Advanced Topics in Debris Flows

Advanced topics in debris flows is a practical hands-on course, delivered over a full day where, using DebrisFlow Predictor, you will build a model of debris flow hazards from the ground up for a watershed in Coastal British Columbia.

Debris flows are a form of rapid (> 3 m/s) shallow (< 3 m deep) landslide that surges downslope as a flowing liquid slurry, entraining soil, boulders, and large woody debris along the way. Debris flows tend to travel long distances from their initiation source, reaching relatively flat portions of the landscape where hazards may be unexpected and, as a result, can pose a significant threat to lives, infrastructure, the environment, and communities.

Debris flows, along with debris slides, and debris avalanches, are considered in British Columbia by professional assessments under the Professional Governance Act and the bylaws and professional practice guidelines of Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia. There is a professional requirement to understand the potential runout and damaging characteristics of debris flows, to understand how debris flows hazards might change under different conditions (e.g. climate change or wildfire), and to produce credible models of hazard and risk.

Join us Tuesday October 28th, at Suite 1100, 111 Dunsmuire St. Vancouver BC! Bring your laptop (required) and be prepared to work in pairs or as individuals, supported by our SMEs, to develop a full landslide hazard model!

Note: Price includes 5% GST.

Info: a. Types of debris flows and extremely rapid flow-type landslides
b. Pre-fire v post-fire debris flows

Info: a. Understanding time, space, and runout components
b. Recommended notation (note: the notation will vary slightly from guidelines but will exceed the requirements and add additional specificity, clarity, and defensibility of results)

Info: a. Initiation hazard in time and space (Ht and Hs)

Info: a. How to access DebrisFlow Predictor
i. Why DebrisFlow Predictor?
ii. What is an agent-based model?
iii. Where to find technical support.
b. How to calibrate DebrisFlow Predictor for local conditions
c. Develop confidence that your modeled results are reasonable

Info: a. How to assess hazard when the initiation site is known
b. How to assess hazard when the initiation site is unknown (the normal case)

Info: a. Create a Landslide Fingerprint
b. Create a Landslide Hazard Fingerprint using annualized Hazard (observed)
c. Measure Encounter Probability at sites of interest downslope

Info: a. Application of magnitude-frequency assessments
b. Managing probability data
c. The impacts of climate change and land use change
d. Integrating rainfall data into your hazard assessment

Info: a. Varying from current guidelines
b. Limitations of knowledge
c. Resources and extras: where to go to for help

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Stantec Geohazards