Influence of the Mount Evans Highway (SH 5) on Alpine Wetland Hydrologic Processes, Permafrost, and Vegetation, Colorado Rocky Mountains

Shaw, Jeremy R.; Cooper, David J.

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Influence of the Mount Evans Highway (SH 5) on Alpine Wetland Hydrologic Processes, Permafrost, and Vegetation, Colorado Rocky Mountains

2021-07-01
By Shaw, Jeremy R. ; Cooper, David J.

File Language:

English

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Creators:

Shaw, Jeremy R. ; Cooper, David J.
Corporate Creators:

Colorado State University
Corporate Contributors:

Colorado. Department of Transportation. Applied Research & Innovations Branch ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:

Alpine Cooling Ecology Freeze Thaw Tests Hydrology Literature Reviews Passive Cooling Permafrost Reconstruction Roads Roadway Reconstruction Vegetation Wetlands
Publication/ Report Number:

CDOT-2021-03
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States ; Colorado
Edition:

Final Report
Corporate Publisher:

Colorado. Department of Transportation
Abstract:

The Mount Evans Highway (SH 5) has been severely damaged by permafrost degradation and freeze-thaw processes. We assessed the effects of the current roadway configuration on the permafrost, hydrologic processes, vegetation, and soils of the Summit Lake Park wetland complex. We also reviewed and synthesized available literature to develop design recommendations for mitigating permafrost degradation, thaw-induced subsidence and frost damage, and hydrologic alterations to alpine wetlands. The existing roadway has profoundly altered permafrost conditions, hydrological processes, and wetland plant communities. Reconstruction of SH 5 using conventional designs will not remedy these problems, and will likely be impacted by continued permafrost degradation. We recommend an integrated passive cooling approach using air convection embankments with perforated ventilation ducts, and minimizing inboard ditches and culvert crossings, to restore permafrost conditions, hydrological processes, and ecological functions.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

118.02
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:19eb3b578c14fe0c2028272ebd8bfd9ff314d1d01311d0588ca704c09e460258e72314b9b838a76b5fb67a283a8d60657442c3f4eefe9e7a3de3b9efa80c7c3a
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88578/dot_88578_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 8.62 MB ]

File Language:

English

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