Team: 47
School: Los Alamos High
Area of Science: Environmental Sciences
Interim: New Mexico is facing an extreme, wildfire crisis (https://nmfireinfo.com/). These fires have burned hundreds of thousands of acres and torched many towns and homes. Even long after wildfires are put out, the scarred landscapes create an effect on hydrology. This can lead to flooding and erosion. This project is looking at the changes in hydrology after wildfires, which can lead to erosion and flooding.
A model to simulate hydrology is being created using c++ to study this problem. The model will compare two simulations, one before the wildfire, and one after. The model will include different aspects of hydrology such as water flow, erosion, and groundwater absorption. So far, a hydraulic erosion model and a program for multi-processing (to help with performance) have been completed. The last element of the complete model that needs developing is the simulation of groundwater absorption. These different elements also will be integrated into one central model.
Research into the effects of wildfires on groundwater absorption has been conducted (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022169414001528). Based on the research, wildfires lead to a water-absorbent-resistant layer of soil. Research on hydraulic erosion has also been conducted (an accurate hydraulic erosion model: https://nickmcd.me/2022/04/15/soilmachine/). Basic information on the general ecosystem within the Pecos Wilderness has been conducted (https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5300086.pdf and https://nhnm.unm.edu/sites/default/files/nonsensitive/publications/Muldavin_etal%202010_BAND%20veg%20map%20NRTR.pdf). More research will need to be done to properly model the terrain and ecosystem within the Pecos Wilderness (the area being simulated).
The research suggests that post-fire erosion will be worse. It also suggests that the effects of wildfires will lead to reduced absorption of water into the ground and therefore a larger volume of rain runoff. This increase in runoff may lead to flooding in some situations.
Sources:
https://nickmcd.me/2022/04/15/soilmachine/
https://nhnm.unm.edu/sites/default/files/nonsensitive/publications/Muldavin_etal%202010_BAND%20veg%20map%20NRTR.pdf
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5300086.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landslide
https://www.harwichwater.com/community/outdoor-water-use/soil-improvement.html#:~:text=A%20combination%20of%20sand%2C%20silt,than%202%20inches%20per%20hour
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022169414001528
Other information:
Some of the individual elements of the model can be found on GitHub (https://github.com/AndrewDMorgan). The integrated components will also be uploaded to GitHub (https://github.com/AndrewDMorgan/Fire-and-Water) as the final model gets developed.
Team Members:
Sponsoring Teacher: NA