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Innovation in action: Empowering resilience through debris flow prediction

May 28, 2025

True innovation begins with a spark, an impact that changes lives. With new ideas and creative solutions, we can transform our approach, opening the door for greater understanding and smarter action.

Debris flows are fast-moving landslides caused by intense rainfall, heavy flooding, or rapid snowmelt. They often happen in areas recently burned by wildfires. When a debris flow hits, it can devastate landscapes, infrastructure, and lives within minutes. In mountain communities, this means essential lifelines are put in harm¡¯s way. That¡¯s exactly what happened in the Poudre Canyon, Colorado, when a debris flow occurred a year after the Cameron Peak Wildfire.

By prioritisspeling the areas most prone to debris flows, we¡¯re able to develop effective plans and solutions. Using landslide-simulation software, like DebrisFlow Predictor, we can assess hazards through large-scale modeling of debris flow risk. This proactive approach helps prepare our communities for future threats.?

For more about our innovative engineering and design solutions, visit?Innovation?and our?Innovation and Technology Ideas?pages.

  • Thad Wasklewicz

    Thad is a principal and team leader for Âé¶¹´«Ã½¡¯s geohazard and geomorphology services. He applies high-resolution topography and two-dimensional modeling to manage environmental hazards and is an accomplished technical author in geomatics.

    Contact Thad
  • Richard Guthrie

    Backed by 30 years of geotechnical experience, Richard leads a group of specialists who provide practical, science-based solutions to reduce the impacts of geohazards on communities, infrastructure, lives, and the environment.

    Contact Richard
  • Caitlin Orem

    A geomorphologist based in Colorado, Caitlin applies her Âé¶¹´«Ã½ in geomorphology, post-wildfire erosion, geochronology, and stratigraphy to assisting clients with understanding vulnerabilities and risks to their infrastructure and communities.

    Contact Caitlin
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