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#           Opportunities and challenges for precipitation forcing data in post-wildfire hydrologic modeling applications              

      April 8, 2024    

The frequency and extent of wildfires have increased in recent decades with immediate and cascading effects on water availability in many regions of the world. Precipitation is used as primary input to hydrologic models and is a critical driver of post-wildfire hydrologic hazards including debris flows, flash floods, water-quality effects, and reservoir sedimentation. These models are valuable tools for understanding the hydrologic response to wildfire but require accurate precipitation data at suitable spatial and temporal resolutions. Wildfires often occur in data-sparse, headwater catchments in complex terrain, and post-wildfire hydrologic effects are particularly sensitive to high-intensity, short-duration precipitation events, which are highly variable and difficult to measure or estimate. Therefore, the assessment and prediction of wildfire-induced changes to watershed hydrology, including the associated effects on ecosystems and communities, are complicated by uncertainty in precipitation data. When direct measurements of precipitation are not available, datasets of indirect measurements or estimates are often used. Choosing the most appropriate precipitation dataset can be difficult as different datasets have unique trade-offs in terms of spatial and temporal accuracy, resolution, and completeness. Here, we outline the challenges and opportunities associated with different precipitation datasets as they apply to post-wildfire hydrologic models and modeling objectives. We highlight the need for expanded precipitation gage deployment in wildfire-prone areas and discuss potential opportunities for future research and the integration of precipitation data from disparate sources into a common hydrologic modeling framework.

## Citation Information

## Related Content

                  -              Connect           

#### Trevor Partridge, PhD

##### Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Hydrologist, WMA Earth Systems Processes Division

Water Resources Mission Area

tpartridge@usgs.gov

#### Zachary C. Johnson

##### Research Hydrologist

Washington Water Science Center

zjohnson@usgs.gov

253-552-1681

#### Rachel R Sleeter

##### Geographer

Water Resources Mission Area

rsleeter@usgs.gov

253-313-3310

#### Sharon L Qi

##### Physical Scientist

Colorado Water Science Center

slqi@usgs.gov

303-236-6901

#### Michelle  Walvoord

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

walvoord@usgs.gov

303-236-4998

#### Sheila Murphy

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

sfmurphy@usgs.gov

303-541-3023

#### Cara L Peterman-Phipps, Ph.D.

##### Hydrologist

Kansas Water Science Center

cphipps@usgs.gov

785-832-3550

#### Brian A. Ebel

##### Research Hydrologist

Water Resources Mission Area

bebel@usgs.gov

303-236-3977

## Related Content

                  - Connect  Trevor Partridge, PhDMendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Hydrologist, WMA Earth Systems Processes DivisionWater Resources Mission AreaEmailtpartridge@usgs.govZachary C. JohnsonResearch HydrologistWashington Water Science CenterEmailzjohnson@usgs.govPhone253-552-1681Rachel R SleeterGeographerWater Resources Mission AreaEmailrsleeter@usgs.govPhone253-313-3310Sharon L QiPhysical ScientistColorado Water Science CenterEmailslqi@usgs.govPhone303-236-6901Michelle  WalvoordResearch HydrologistWater Resources Mission AreaEmailwalvoord@usgs.govPhone303-236-4998Sheila MurphyResearch HydrologistWater Resources Mission AreaEmailsfmurphy@usgs.govPhone303-541-3023Cara L Peterman-Phipps, Ph.D.HydrologistKansas Water Science CenterEmailcphipps@usgs.govPhone785-832-3550Brian A. EbelResearch HydrologistWater Resources Mission AreaEmailbebel@usgs.govPhone303-236-3977 

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