The feasibility of collecting accurate landslide loss data in Utah (OFR-410)

By: F. X. Ashland

Nationwide, estimated losses from damaging landslides range from $1.2 to $2.4 billion annually. In Utah, documented losses from damaging landslides in 2001 exceeded $3 million, including the costs to repair and stabilize hillsides along state and federal highways. The total losses caused by landslides in 2001 are, however, unknown because of the incomplete documentation of active landslides and a lack of loss data for all documented landslides that year.

This report evaluates the feasibility of collecting more accurate landslide-loss (cost) estimates in Utah. The majority of the report focuses on the current availability of landslide-loss data and uses case histories of recent damaging landslides. This report also compares the accuracy and availability of landslide-loss data from a variety of sources including media reports, county tax assessor’s records, building permits, and estimates by local government officials and affected property owners. In addition, this report evaluates the potential for retrospective landslide-loss estimation using publications on the 1983 Thistle landslide, the most costly historical landslide in the United States.

Other Information:
Published: 2003
Pages: 25 p.
Location: Utah
Media Type: Paper Publication