Debris-flow monitoring, Chalk Cliffs, Colorado

Chalk Cliffs, located 8 miles southwest of Buena Vista, CO, is one of the most active debris-flow areas in the state. Typically one or more debris flows occur each year after intense or prolonged rainfall. The debris flows are triggered by surface-water runoff over loose material stored in channels.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the University of Colorado, conduct seasonal (May-October) monitoring of precipitation, flow depth, and erosion at Chalk Cliffs. The monitoring effort is intended to provide advancement in the understanding of debris-flow mechanics in a natural setting. Partial support for this project to the University of Colorado was provided by the National Science Foundation through award EAR-06-43353 to G.E. Tucker.

A series of three monitoring stations are located along the main debris-flow channel (map and photos here).

Real Time Data

Data from one of the stations (Station 1) is transmitted from the site every four minutes and displayed on graphs.

• Rainfall
• Flow Stage and Bed Pore Pressure
• Battery Voltage
• Force Plate
• Video Camera

For more information

• Research paper on debris flows at Chalk Cliffs
• National Weather Service forecast for Chalk Cliffs and vicinity
• Real-time stream gage on Chalk Creek 4 miles downstream from the monitoring basin

Contact Information

• Jason Kean
  jwkean@usgs.gov

• Scott McCoy
  scott.mccoy@colorado.edu

• Jeff Coe
  jcoe@usgs.gov

Mailing Address

U.S. Geological Survey
Geologic Hazards Team
Box 25046, MS 966
Denver, CO 80225