Item: INTEGRATING HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND WORKER KNOWLEDGE FOR LATE SEASON AVALANCHE MITIGATION PROGRAM ALONG THE D&SNG RAIL LINE THE ANIMAS RIVER CANYON, COLORADO
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Title: INTEGRATING HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND WORKER KNOWLEDGE FOR LATE SEASON AVALANCHE MITIGATION PROGRAM ALONG THE D&SNG RAIL LINE THE ANIMAS RIVER CANYON, COLORADO
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2023, Bend, Oregon
Authors:
- Jim Donovan [ Office of Emergency Management, San Juan County Colorado, USA ] [ Silverton Avalanche School, Silverton USA ]
Date: 2023-10-08
Abstract: The line from Durango to Silverton Colorado has run continuously since 1881, although it is now a tourist and heritage line hauling passengers, and is one of the few places in the U.S. which has seen continuous use of steam locomotives. The rail line travels through the rugged Animas River Canyon, ranging in elevation from 7,700 feet to 13,000 foot peaks in the Weminuche Wilderness. Numerous avalanche paths can strike the tracks. The train operates from May to October. In April, crews begin snow removal operations, clearing the tracks to Silverton. In 2019 a comprehensive avalanche mitigation and safety program was created to promote worker safety during snow removal operations. Training includes avalanche awareness and avalanche rescue with an emphasis on late season snow avalanche problems. Avalanche paths that have hit the tracks have been mapped using historical records and interviews with railroad workers. A survey flight is conducted prior to mitigation to maximize a return on effort. Mitigation is conducted via helicopter. Avalanche data is communicated to a forecaster who provides safety messaging through the snow removal time period. This project combines a lengthy historical record when the rail line operated year round with recent field observations. The project takes a crew resource management approach to integrating avalanche risk management into rail road safety operations.
Object ID: ISSW2023_P3.53.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: industrial avalanche forecasting, avalanche mapping, training
Page Number(s): 1537
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