Just a few months ago, Boulder, Colorado was in the grip of yet another drought, reports TIME magazine online, and the state also experienced its worst wildfire on record earlier this year. But after days of heavy rainfall that the National Weather Service called “biblical,” drought and fire are the last things that Boulder and the rest of the northern Front Range of Colorado has to worry about. The more lasting effects will be caused by the catastrophic flood events that have ravaged portions of the state over the last few weeks.
With weather extremes becoming more common, it is more important than ever to be sure we encourage resilient landscapes. Healthy, functioning floodplains and wetlands can protect freshwater resources, and infrastructure from the extremes of drought and flood.
Andrew Freedman of Climate Central described the climate factors contributing to the Colorado floods: “An increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation events is expected to take place even though annual precipitation amounts are projected to decrease in the Southwest…That may translate into more frequent, sharp swings between drought and flood, as has recently been the case.”
Many experts agree that climate-change-related severe weather events all around the country are here to stay. Fires due to drought will, in turn, exacerbate flooding due to fire-exposed soils, and fire-damaged vegetation. Protection and restoration of fire-damaged areas, floodplains, and wetlands can help protect both life and property.
Read more: http://science.time.com/2013/09/17/the-science-behind-colorados-thousand-year-flood/#ixzz2fS83Pfy9
You may also like: Wildfire and Water: Post-Fire Assessments Provide Quick Answers, and Know Your Risk: Floodwaters Can Transform Small Streams into Raging Rivers
