USAFA works to mitigate flash flood concerns

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Though the Waldo Canyon fire lasted 18 days before it was declared 100 percent contained, the damage caused by the destructive wildfire will be seen for years to come in the form of flash flooding.

During the fire, more than 600 families evacuated the Pine Valley and Douglass Valley housing areas here and base trails to include Eagle's Peak, Stanley Canyon, Blodgett and parts of the Santa Fe were closed.

The emergency management flight here, headed by Andre Mouton, the 10th Air Base Wing emergency manager, contracted a study to understand the damage the fire had on areas of base. What they found was the same information that the city found concerning the Waldo Canyon burn scar; that flash flooding is a potential hazard.

According to the Colorado Springs government website, the Waldo Canyon fire significantly changed the landscape, presenting the risk of debris flow and flooding. Hillsides once protected by vegetation were compromised and precipitation could have significant impacts on the landscape.

"The fire significantly burned the slopes along West Monument Creek between USAFA and Rampart Dam," said Mouton. "In burn scarred areas, the lack of vegetation and reduced ability for soil to absorb moisture results in a large volume of silt, large debris (tree branches and rocks), and two to four times the amount of water flowing into West Monument Creek."

The West Monument Creek area, which includes the Equestrian Center, the water treatment plant and the Pine Valley housing area and parts of the Falcon and Santa Fe Trail are all at risk commented Mouton.

"A relatively small amount of rainfall (1.75 inches in one hour) can cause flash flooding," he said. "Based on experience from the Hayman Fire in 2002, flash flooding will be a concern along West Monument Creek for the next 5-10 years."

Colorado has seen major flooding and damage when heavy rains have occurred on wildfire burn scar areas. A flash flood is defined as a rapid rise in water levels, generally occurring in less than six hours, and can occur with little advanced notice. A healthy forest can handle an inch to inch and a half of rain with no flood risk. Once litter and vegetation is removed by fire, as little as a half inch of rain in a short period of time can cause serious, and possibly life threatening flooding.

Manitou Springs residents saw the outcome of this in 2013 when a flash flood coming off of the Waldo Canyon burn scar left one person dead, destroyed six houses, seriously damaged 11 others and caused the shutdown of more than 20 local businesses.

Colorado Springs Utilities, along with members of the 10th Civil Engineer Squadron have been working to mitigate the risk of flash floods here. Bridges and culverts in the affected area have been replaced and/or cleared out. Emergency management along with base leadership have completed an action plan which includes notification and response procedures as well as an information plan for those most affected.

Mouton suggest those living in the affected area should be prepared in the event of a flash flood.

"Abide by flash flood watch and warning messages sent over Giant Voice, Falcon Alert, and social media," he said. "Pine Valley housing residents should stay away from the West Monument Creek during flash flood watches and warnings."

Mouton also suggests that joggers and mountain bikers should not use the Falcon Trail along West Monument Creek during flash flood watches and warnings. Persons traveling to the Equestrian Center should not cross the bridge from Pine Valley housing, and those persons already in the Equestrian Center should move to safer, higher elevated areas.
If anyone is caught in a flash flood on base or in the local area Mouton suggests that all individuals should float on their back with feet downstream of their body and try to steer to the shoreline as soon as possible.

"People should understand that local fire department personnel are not trained or equipped in swift water rescue and will not send personnel into the water to rescue people swept into the flash flooded streams," Mouton said.

Mouton assures that the risk to USAFA personnel is low if those on base stay away from the low lying areas and heed flash flood warnings.

For more information concerning evacuation and response procedures for flash floods, contact emergency management at 333-2300.