Monitoring debris flows in the Gadria catchment (eastern Italian Alps): Data and insights acquired from 2018 to 2020

¹ CNR-IRPI National Research Council, Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection, corso Stati Uniti, 4, 35127, Padova, Italy
² Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Faculty of Science and Technology, piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
³ Civil Protection Agency, Autonomous Province of Bozen-Bolzano, via Cesare Battisti 23, 39100 Bolzano, Italy

Abstract

This work analyses seven debris flows recorded between 2018 and 2020 in the Gadria instrumented catchment (South Tirol). We focus on three aspects not previously explored in this catchment: (i) the debris-flow transfer times between the headwaters and the outlet; (ii) the longitudinal variability of debris-flow velocity between the three downstream monitored cross-sections, and (iii) the characteristics of the secondary surges observed in three debris flows. In most cases, the mean velocity of the debris flow estimated from the upper to the lower channel reaches (for travel distance of 2155 m) is rather low, ranging between 1.9 and 3.9 m/s. This result could indicate a progressive slowing down, and possibly even temporary stops of debris flows along the path. Some variability in flow velocity was observed between two channel reaches in the lower part of the catchment (0.7 – 2.3 m/s in the upstream reach, and 1.4 – 4.7 in the downstream one). Regarding the secondary surges, these have been noted to occur superimposed on slow-moving slurry-type phases. The mean velocity of the secondary surges varied between 3.5 and 8.9 m/s, with an average value close to 6 m/s for all three events. Their regular shape, duration, and depth suggest that such surges were generated by flow instabilities, with no external forcing.