Stormwater Management in a Post-Wildfire World

Originally presented at StormCon 2022 on September 28, 2022, 1:30-2:00 PM

This presentation provides a case study of a municipal stormwater utility impacted by post-wildfire flooding. Flagstaff, Ariz., is a community of approximately 70,000 that is surrounded by the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the world. The community was impacted by the 2019 Museum Fire, a 2,000-acre wildfire on the steep slopes of Dry Lake Hills and Mount Elden, directly north of the city. A series of flood events have occurred in the city following the fire as a result of the compromised watershed.

This talk will provide an overview of the City of Flagstaff’s Stormwater response to the initial fire and subsequent flood threat. The response includes public outreach, flood modeling, master planning, short- and long-term flood mitigation measures, real-time flood alert and response, and ongoing revisions to each of the response activities. Coordination with other local agencies including the Coconino County Flood Control District, United Way, Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs, FEMA, and many others was, and is, crucial for municipal governments in long-term post-wildfire flood mitigation.

Presented by:

Ed Schenk – City of Flagstaff Water Services