Evaluation of a method to calculate debris-flow volume based on observations of flow depth

Abstract

The volume of a debris flow is a critical parameter in hazard analysis, yet accurate estimates of volume are often unavailable due to mixing with larger rivers at the downstream end of alluvial fans. We describe a method to calculate the volume of debris flows using flow depth data collected at a check dam, using a Manning friction relation to describe the velocity of the debris flow as a function of flow depth, and the geometry of the channel cross section. The method is evaluated using a published data set from the USGS debris-flow flume where event volume and stage information have been accurately measured, and results in volume estimates either somewhat smaller than or up to 50% larger than observed volumes. We further demonstrate the method to single-surge and a multiple-surge debris flows observed at Illgraben.