What causes flash floods?
Summary
Flash floods are one of the most significant dangers in a canyon. A rise in water levels can turn benign features into impassable sections.
Factors
Precipitation
The most common cause of flash flooding is precipitation, Fortunately rain is relatively simple to predict using multiple forecasting platforms. Factors such as convective rain rather than frontal rain will increase the likelihood of a flash flood as it is likely going to fall in sporadic heavy showers.
Snowmelt
Canyons with high altitude mountainous catchments will be affected by snowmelt. As air temperature increase, snow will begin to melt causing the water level in the canyon to rise. Often peak flow will correspond to peak temperature, for example; if the peak temperature is 20 degrees at 3pm then peak flow will shortly follow. Snow melt is especially dangerous as it can easily be overlooked on warm sunny days.
Glacial melt
Some of the best canyons are glacial fed, the fine rock flour found in the water accelerates the process of erosion. Glacial fed rivers will often have a 'pulse' effect during warmers months, with peak melt water levels rising at mid day and dropping when its cooler at night.
Hydro Dams
The UK is full of hydroelectric stations, although there are many different types of designs, you only need to watch out for dams that are able to release high volumes of water, such as tipper gates that could send a wall of water rushing down the canyon with no prior warning.
Natural Dams
Natural dams are formed by fallen trees or stone that has created a pool of water that would otherwise not be there. A natural dams strength is unreliable, teams should make a careful assessment of natural dams when release could cause dangers below.
False Floors
Mostly found in narrow canyons, false floors are formed when logs get jammed at the top of a drop, over time, stones build up behind the logs, forcing them to collapse, when this happens pools can suddenly empty forcing a surge of water down the canyon below.
Landslide
Loose ground above the canyon may result in a random slip, they range in size but have the potential to fill pools in seconds, resulting in sudden high flows further down the canyon.
Accelerants / Hinderance
Permeability
The permeability of the ground will decide how much of the water is absorbed back into the ground and how much will make it into the rivers.
Gradient
The gradient of the catchment will directly effect the speed the water will drain, the steeper the ground the faster the water will find its way to the rivers.
Vegetation
Plants are effective at reducing the severity of the flash flood, Catchment areas with large areas of tree cover often see slower reactions to precipitation.
Temperature
Air temperature on larger catchment areas will provide a noticeable amount evaporation, reducing the levels of the rivers.
How a flood risk can become increased
Escapability
If the canyon is difficult to escape, the rise in levels will make the trip extremely committing. If levels become unmanageable mid descent, rescue may be required.
Water Volume
Often, low flowing canyons are still possible to descend in high flow as the water hazards are easier to manage. Higher flow canyons are often much more difficult to manage.
Rigging
Some canyons do not have suitable rigging for high flow, this means water hazards will be difficult to avoid without building transient anchors.