Cody Wilbur, Masters Candidate

Cody Wilbur, Masters Candidate

The hillslope processes that shape the mountainous terrain of the Pacific Northwest have contributed significant changes to the region’s river systems. In September 2017, a large wildfire burned the mountainous terrain cradling Eagle Creek, a tributary to the Columbia River. Since the fire, Eagle Creek has begun the process of recovery. Previous post-fire research has found that the characteristics of hillslope processes are altered by wildfire but expected to return over time, however stream process responses are less understood. This study looks to quantify the changes and downstream impacts these processes have had on Eagle Creek following the fire.

I am currently collecting water stage data of Eagle Creek throughout the time of the study, since September 2024. I now have 4 months of data and 2 sets of time series lidar scans of the gravel bars that make up the creek and act as bedload transport sites. I have presented my current research at GSA Connect 2024 in August 2024.

I will continue monitoring the water stage and returning to take Terrestrial Lidar Scans after peak flow events to later input and analyze the bedload transport mechanics within Eagle Creek following the 2017 wildfire. I plan to continue monitoring and collecting data through Winter 2026.