Sitka Sound Science Center

Project Title: Advancing Landslide Initiation Science and Monitoring Systems in Southeastalaskaproject Period: June 1, 2026 May 31, 2028THIS Project Will Strengthen Environmental Monitoring and Landslide Hazard Assessment Capacityacross Southeast Alaska While Advancing Understanding of Landslide Initiation Processesassociated With Atmospheric Rivers and Extreme Storms. Landslides and Debris Flows Areincreasing Hazards in Southeast Alaska Communities, Where Steep Terrain, Intense Rainfall, Andstrong Winds Can Contribute to Slope Failure. Existing Environmental Monitoring Systems in Theregion Require Ongoing Maintenance, Technical Support, and Improved Data Integration to Supporthazard Assessment, Forecasting, and Future Early Warning Efforts.project Activities Will Include Maintenance, Calibration, Troubleshooting, and Repair of Weatherand Environmental Monitoring Stations Across Southeast Alaska Development of Standardizedworkflows for Environmental Data Management, Quality Control, and Integration of Datasetscollected by Federal, Tribal, State, and Local Partners and Support for Regional Monitoringcoordination. the Project Will Also Evaluate How Well Weather and Climate Models Reproducelocal Precipitation Patterns Associated With Atmospheric River Events and Investigate the Role Ofwind-driven Forest Loading in Slope Instability Through Targeted Instrumentation Deployment Andfield Measurements Near Sitka, Alaska.deliverables Will Include Standardized Data Management Workflows and Analysis-readyenvironmental Datasets Inventory and Prioritization Tools for Regional Monitoring Stationmaintenance Ongoing Maintenance and Technical Support for Regional Monitoring Stations Peerreviewedand Technical Reports Evaluating Local and Storm-scale Precipitation Patterns and Howwell These Are Reproduced by Climate Models Deployment of Wind-monitoring Instrumentationnear Sitka and Quantification of Tree Movement and Wind Loading During Storm Events Andpresentation of Findings at Scientific and Public Meetings. Expected Outcomes Include Improvedreliability and Usability of Environmental Monitoring Systems, Reduced Delays Between Datacollection and Operational Use, Enhanced Understanding of Landslide Initiation Processes, Andincreased Regional Capacity for Landslide Hazard Assessment and Future Early Warning Efforts.intended Beneficiaries Include Tribal Citizens and Southeast Alaska Residents Living in Landslideproneareas Hunters, Recreationists, and Others Traveling Beneath Steep Slopes Emergencymanagers the National Weather Service Researchers Land Managers and Federal, Tribal, State,and Local Agencies Involved in Hazard Monitoring and Response. These Groups Will Benefit Fromimproved Environmental Data Availability, Enhanced Monitoring Reliability, and Improvedunderstanding of Landslide Hazards and Triggering Processes.subrecipient and Contracted Activities May Include Support for Local-scale Analysis Ofprecipitation Patterns and Performance of Climate Models, Technical Instrumentation Support, Andcoordination With Monitoring and Research Partners and Agencies Across Southeast Alaska.