Analysis of Alluvial Fan Flooding

by Desi Alvarez, DMA Consulting Engineers, Marina Del, Rey, CA, USA,
Wen C. Wang, DMA Consulting Engineers, Marina Del, Rey, CA, USA,
David R. Dawdy, DMA Consulting Engineers, Marina Del, Rey, CA, USA,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Water Forum '86: World Water Issues in Evolution

Abstract:

Alluvial fans are estimated to cover approximately one third of the land area in the southwestern United States. Because of their relatively gentle slopes and well draining characteristics, alluvial fans are subject to urbanization at an increasing pace as the supply of flat bottom land is exhausted. Flooding on an alluvial fan is part of the natural process for the formation of the fan. Urbanization on an alluvial fan imposes potential obstruction to the flood flow and structures are subject to flood hazard. This paper reports on a study to identify the geomorphic characteristics of alluvial fan floods using aerial photographs and topographic maps of alluvial fans.

Subject Headings: Alluvial channels | Floods | Urban areas | Mapping | Natural disasters | Aerial photography | Watersheds | United States

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search