Chico State Enterprises

This Project Advances the Development and Calibration of the Pfhydro Predictive Model, Which Evaluates Postfire Transport of Sediment and Waterquality Contaminants in Burned Watersheds. Postfire Waterquality Data From the Big Chico Creek Watershed, Impacted by the 2024 Park Fire in Butte County, California, Will Be Collected and Analyzed to Characterize Watershed Conditions and Quantify Key Parameters Required for Model Calibration. Water, Soil, Ash, and Suspendedsediment Samples Will Be Examined to Determine Concentrations of Nutrients, Carbon, and Trace Metals, as Well as Nutrient Forms and Mobility. These Results Will Support Refinement of the Pfhydro Waterquality Module and the Development of a Conceptual Model Describing Elemental Cycling in Burned Landscapes.project Deliverables Include Calibrated Waterquality Datasets, Elemental Concentration Datasets, Nutrientspeciation Results, Conceptual Model Documentation, and Synthesized Reports for Use in Pfhydro Model Calibration and Validation. These Outputs Will Enhance the Models Accuracy and Applicability for Evaluating Postfire Waterquality Impacts.beneficiaries Include Water Managers, Public Health Agencies, Reservoir Operators, and Communities Dependent on Surfacewater Supplies Vulnerable to Wildfiredriven Sediment and Contaminant Loading. the Expanded Pfhydro Model Will Support More Informed Emergency Response, Planning, and Longterm Watershed Management in Fireprone Regions.