Debris flows and debris torrents in the Southern Canadian Cordillera: Reply

Abstract

In Canada, debris torrents (also referred to as channelized debris flows) occur in parts of British Columbia, Alberta, and the Yukon. At least 17 deaths and an estimated $100 million of damage to bridges and property can be attributed to this natural hazard. The debris mainly comprises large boulders, rock fragments, gravel- to clay-sized material, tree and wood mulch—materials that accumulate in the mountain creeks. To be susceptible to a debris torrent, a creek must have a drainage area within a critical range, a profile that is sufficiently steep, an accumulation of debris, and some form of triggering mechanism. The most common triggering mechanism is an extreme water discharge, which may result from a very intense rainfall or a temporary damming of the creek. In western Canada, the resulting torrents involve masses of debris, typically less than 50 000 m3, that travel down creeks at speeds between 3 and 12 m/s.Several passive and active forms of mitigation can be used to reduce the impact of debris to...