Description:

This Summary Report synthesizes the work on avalanche control carried out at the University of Washington from 1970 through 1974. Five problem areas are addressed:

1. Identification of avalanche paths.
2. Description of historical frequency and size of avalanches.
3. Prediction of avalanching.
4. Identification of control methods.
5. Inclusion of control and prediction schemes in highway design and operation.

Full Report (pdf 0.74 MB)

• Date Published: July, 1974
• Publication Number: WA-RD 8.6
• Last Modified: July 12, 2007
• Authors: E.R. LaChapelle, C.B. Brown, R.J. Evans.
• Originator: University of Washington. Dept. of Civil Engineering; University of Washington. Geophysics Program.
• # of Pages: 22 p., 754 KB (PDF)
• Subject: Avalanches, Highway design, Mountain roads, Operations, Roadside hazards, Snow, Snow and ice control, Terrain evaluation, Topography, Weather, Winter maintenance.
• Keywords: Accident prone areas, avalanche, snow, snowslides, weather, creep, glide, avalanche forecasting.
• Related Publications: Avalanches on the North Cascade Highway (SR-20), (WA-RD 8.1).
  North Cascades Highway SR-20 Avalanche Atlas, (WA-RD 8.2).
  Avalanche Studies (1971-1972), (WA-RD 8.3).
  Methods of Avalanche Control on Washington Mountain Highways: Third Fourth Annual Report, (WA-RD 8.4).
  Methods of Avalanche Control on Washington Mountain Highways: Interim Report (Fourth Annual Report), (WA-RD 8.5).
  Avalanche Atlas. Part 1. Chinook, Cayuse, White and Snoqualmie Passes, (WA-RD 8.7).
  Avalanche Atlas. Part 2. Stevens Pass and Tumwater Canyon, (WA-RD 8.8.).

This abstract was last modified April 29, 2008