Effects of wildfire on the hydrology of Frijoles and Capulin canyons in and near Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico

Abstract

effects on streamflow after the 1996 hydrology of Frijoles Canyon and Dome fire. the 1996 Dome wildfire on the In June 1977, the La Mesa Post-fire hydrologic changes hydrology of Capulin Canyon in and wildfire burned 15,270 acres in and have been observed, but not often near BNM from July 1996 to near Frijoles Canyon in Bandelier documented, for wildfires in November 1998. National Monument (BNM) and the Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, The study area is located in and adjacent Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico, and Wyoming. In near BNM in north-central New New Mexico (fig. 1). In April 1996, 1996, the Hondo fire near Taos, New Mexico and includes parts of Frijoles Mexico; the Buffalo Canyon and Capulin Canyon (fig. 1). Creek fire near Streamflow in these watersheds Denver, Colorado; a originates at higher elevations near fire in the Jicarilla the east rim of the Jemez Mountains, Apache Reservation, is in an easterly direction, and New Mexico; and a eventually enters the Rio Grande. fire in Mesa Verde National Monument Rainfall was recorded and all caused large streamflow was monitored from increases in the 1996 to 1998 in and near Capulin magnitude of storm Canyon after the 1996 Dome flows. In general, after wildfire. The locations of selected each fire, peak flows rain gages, crest-stage gages, and increased, erosion and streamflow-gaging stations are corresponding shown in figure 2. Slope-area and sediment transport step-backwater indirect increased, and channel measurements were made at the three geometry changed. crest-stage gages and gaging station. This Fact Sheet The hydrologic assessment after the summarizes the effects fire in Capulin Canyon was based, in of the 1977 La Mesa part, on analysis of the gagingwildfire on the station record for Frijoles Canyon collected before and after the the Dome wildfire in BNM burned 1977 La Mesa fire. Suspended-16,516 acres in and near Capulin sediment samples of La Mesa Canyon and the surrounding Dome post-fire runoff were collected Wilderness area. Both Frijoles and from 1977 to 1988; samples Capulin Canyon watersheds are charalso were collected as part of acterized by archeological artifacts the USGS National Waterthat could be affected by increased Quality Assessment (NAWQA) runoff and accelerated rates of Program from 1993 to 1995. erosion, which typically occur after a For a complete description of fire. In response to this concern, the the methods used during this U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in study, the reader is referred to cooperation with the National Park Veenhuis (2002). Service, conducted a study to monitor and document the wildfire USGS Fact Sheet 141-02 Nov effects on streamflow after the 1996 hydrology of Frijoles Canyon and Dome fire. the 1996 Dome wildfire on the In June 1977, the La Mesa Post-fire hydrologic changes hydrology of Capulin Canyon in and wildfire burned 15,270 acres in and have been observed, but not often near BNM from July 1996 to near Frijoles Canyon in Bandelier documented, for wildfires in November 1998. National Monument (BNM) and the Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, The study area is located in and adjacent Santa Fe National Forest, New Mexico, and Wyoming. In near BNM in north-central New New Mexico (fig. 1). In April 1996, 1996, the Hondo fire near Taos, New Mexico and includes parts of Frijoles Mexico; the Buffalo Canyon and Capulin Canyon (fig. 1). Creek fire near Streamflow in these watersheds Denver, Colorado; a originates at higher elevations near fire in the Jicarilla the east rim of the Jemez Mountains, Apache Reservation, is in an easterly direction, and New Mexico; and a eventually enters the Rio Grande. fire in Mesa Verde National Monument Rainfall was recorded and all caused large streamflow was monitored from increases in the 1996 to 1998 in and near Capulin magnitude of storm Canyon after the 1996 Dome flows. In general, after wildfire. The locations of selected each fire, peak flows rain gages, crest-stage gages, and increased, erosion and streamflow-gaging stations are corresponding shown in figure 2. Slope-area and sediment transport step-backwater indirect increased, and channel measurements were made at the three geometry changed. crest-stage gages and gaging station. This Fact Sheet The hydrologic assessment after the summarizes the effects fire in Capulin Canyon was based, in of the 1977 La Mesa part, on analysis of the gagingwildfire on the station record for Frijoles Canyon collected before and after the the Dome wildfire in BNM burned 1977 La Mesa fire. Suspended-16,516 acres in and near Capulin sediment samples of La Mesa Canyon and the surrounding Dome post-fire runoff were collected Wilderness area. Both Frijoles and from 1977 to 1988; samples Capulin Canyon watersheds are charalso were collected as part of acterized by archeological artifacts the USGS National Waterthat could be affected by increased Quality Assessment (NAWQA) runoff and accelerated rates of Program from 1993 to 1995. erosion, which typically occur after a