Snow Avalanche Management in Forested Terrain

Résumé du livre

This handbook is intended for those responsible for managing forests & risk in avalanche-prone terrain. It can be used in identifying avalanche hazards and in planning silvicultural operations so that cutblock configuration & harvesting systems minimize the avalanche hazard. The handbook first presents background on avalanche risk management in British Columbia forests and on snow & avalanche phenomena, covering such topics as snow accumulation, types of snow failures, avalanche dynamics, runout characteristics, the role of forests in avalanche protection, hydrological effects, and the ecological significance of avalanches. It then provides a risk assessment procedure suitable for incorporation in the terrain stability field assessment process. It outlines harvest design & silvicultural strategies to reduce the risk of avalanche damage resulting from forest harvesting. Strategies for managing avalanche risks in winter are also presented. The final section contains case studies of risk assessment in Montana & British Columbia. Appendices include a copy of applicable occupational safety regulations, work procedures for use in avalanche-prone terrain, an avalanche site identification form, an avalanche assessment checklist, a snow stability rating table, and a glossary.