Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID UT-2025-Edgeley

Advancing planning, management, and policy for flooding after wildfires in Utah

Institute: Utah
Year Established: 2025 Start Date: 2026-01-01 End Date: 2026-12-31
Total Federal Funds: $32,000 Total Non-Federal Funds: $32,001

Principal Investigators: Catrin Edgeley

Project Summary: Wildfires change soil properties, causing severe flooding when rain falls in burned areas. This can negatively affect nearby communities and the water resources they depend on (e.g. drinking water, waterbased recreation economies) for years afterwards. This project will examine how governments and communities across Utah are preparing for, responding to, and recovering after post-fire floods to inform state-specific policy-relevant insights for management, and research. First, we will analyze existing policy documents to understand the suite of assistance and resources available to municipal, county, state, and federal governments. Second, we will visit five counties with recent post-fire flooding experience, holding focus group discussions with local leaders to learn about their experiences and how existing policies helped or hindered them. Finally, we will work to disseminate findings to communities, professionals, and politicians to advance public safety and water security state-wide