POST-WILDFIRE HYDROLOGY 

Following wildfires, WWE has conducted evaluations of hydrology and erosion control at locations throughout Colorado and in other western states. WWE has been tasked with the development of computer models to predict runoff rates following wildfires in highly sensitive locations, such as in populated areas west of Boulder, Colorado, and in watersheds surrounding the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

In addition to developing models to forecast post-fire flood potential, WWE provides expertise on implementing measures to control erosion and flows of sediment and debris. Following the Missionary Ridge fire in southwest Colorado in 2002, erosion and sediment control measures designed by WWE substantially reduced sediment loads transported into Lemon Reservoir. Several Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESCs) on WWE’s staff assist with these projects.

The design and implementation of best management practices (BMPs) to reduce stormwater runoff from areas burned during the fire resulted in the Florida Water Conservancy District being inducted into the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Hall of Fame for nonpoint source projects.