Maintaining CATCHments, Not waterSHEDS: The Effects of Wildfire

“Maintaining CATCHments, Not waterSHEDS: The Effects of Wildfire”
Liz Schnackenberg, U.S. Forest Service

This presentation explores how changes in watershed condition immediately following a wildfire can result in increased erosion, flooding and debris flow potential. Pre-fire, forests absorb and CATCH precipitation. Changes in vegetation and soil properties following a wildfire can result in precipitation being SHED causing increased erosion, flood flows, and debris flow potential. Fortunately most forested ecosystems generally return to CATCHing precipitation within ten years after a fire.

Liz Schnackenberg has over 25 years of experience working as a hydrologist for the US Forest Service. Her work focuses on the effects of land management activities on watershed hydrology and wetland/riparian condition. She has been a member of the Colorado Riparian Training Team since 2004. 

Can’t make it to Hallam Lake on Thursday? You can also catch this presentation on Wednesday at 6PM at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. 

What is Naturalist Nights?

Each winter, together with Wilderness Workshop and Roaring Fork Audubon, ACES invites regional experts to explore and share topics of the natural world through slideshows and discussion.

From January to March, this popular series takes place in Aspen at Hallam Lake every Thursday evening at 6PM, and every Wednesday at 6PM in Carbondale at the Third Street Center, providing an educational activity for visitors and locals alike. Tea, donated by Two Leaves Tea Company, and cookies donated by Paradise Bakery, Village Smithy, or Bonfire Coffee are offered.