There are three landslide-related issues to be considered. The first issue is the potential for slides to occur in a particular area. This can be assessed on the basis of the number of events that has occurred both in natural settings and in association with forest development activities. The more slide sites there are, the greater the potential for future mass wasting events. The second issue is that of delivery.
Delivery is defined as the potential for the slide debris to enter a stream.
The highest risk sites are those where there is a continuous slope to the edge of a stream. In these situations, opportunities to prevent a slide from impacting the stream are limited. The least risk sites are those where the stream is separated from the slope by a broad valley flat. The final issue is the potential for transfer of material down the stream after it has entered a watercourse. Sediment transport, particularly of coarse material, is a function of stream gradient.