Elliott State Forest, Oregon
Background
Landslides in the Oregon Coast Range impact people and the environment and are commonly induced by intense or prolonged rainfall associated with strong storms in the late fall and winter seasons. For example, in February and November of 1996 heavy rainfall from two unusually large storms induced thousands of landslides over a large part of western Oregon.
The U. S. Geological Survey and its cooperators have installed instruments in a steep hillside about 20 km southeast of Reedsport in the Elliott State Forest.
Purpose of Monitoring
Data collection at this site supports research on hydrologic factors that control landslide initiation. In many landslide-prone hillsides, infiltration of water from rainfall or snowmelt increases ground-water pressures. These elevated pressures can, in turn, induce landslide movement.
The instruments were installed in the summer and fall of 2009 and are used to monitor and detect changes in local conditions, including:
- Rainfall
- Ground-water Pressure - Tensiometers
- Ground-water and Atmospheric Pressure - Piezometers
- Soil Water Content
- Soil Temperature
- Battery
Current Monitoring Status
Active
Frequency of Web Graph Updates
Hourly, measurements are taken at 15-minute intervals and data are transmitted hourly and displayed on graphs that are updated hourly. Updates may be interrupted occasionally by instrument, computer, or network malfunctions.
Monitoring Performed in Cooperation with
The Oregon Department of Forestry, the Elliott State Forest, and the Colorado School of Mines
Disclaimer
This monitoring site was operated as part of a research project. Active data collection may be discontinued at any time in the future.
These data are preliminary and have not received final approval. Data relayed by radio or other telemetry have received little or no review. Inaccuracies in the data may be present because of instrument malfunctions or physical changes at the measurement site. Subsequent review may result in significant revisions to the data.
Data users are cautioned to consider carefully the provisional nature of the information before using it for decisions that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that involves substantial monetary or operational consequences.
Contact Information
-
Jonathan Godt
jgodt [at] usgs [dot] govU.S. Geological Survey
Central Region Geologic Hazards Team
Box 25046, DFC
Mail Stop 966
Denver CO 80225 -
Rex Baum
baum [at] usgs [dot] govU.S. Geological Survey
Central Region Geologic Hazards Team
Box 25046, DFC
Mail Stop 966
Denver CO 80225
