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Results of hydrologic monitoring of a landslide-prone hillslope in Portland’s West Hills, Oregon, 2006–2017

Data Series 1050
Prepared in cooperation with Portland State University
By: , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1050

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Abstract

The West Hills of Portland, in the southern Tualatin Mountains, trend northwest along the west side of Portland, Oregon. These silt-mantled mountains receive significant wet-season precipitation and are prone to sliding during wet conditions, occasionally resulting in property damage or casualties. In an effort to develop a baseline for interpretive analysis of the groundwater response to rainfall, an automated monitoring system was installed in 2006 to measure rainfall, pore-water pressure, soil suction, soil-water potential, and volumetric water content at 15-minute intervals. The data show a cyclical pattern of groundwater and moisture content levels—wet from October to May and dry between June and September. Saturated soil conditions tend to last throughout the wet season. These data show the hydrologic response of the monitored area to rainfall and provide insight into the dynamics of rainfall-initiated landsliding. This report details the monitoring methods and presents data collected from January 10, 2006, through January 23, 2017.

Suggested Citation

Smith, J.B., Godt, J.W., Baum, R.L., Coe, J.A., Ellis, W.L., Jones, E.S., and Burns, S.F., 2017, Results of hydrologic monitoring of a landslide-prone hillslope in Portland’s West Hills, Oregon, 2006–2017: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 1050, 10 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1050.

ISSN: 2327-638X (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Physiographic Setting
  • Methods
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Results of hydrologic monitoring of a landslide-prone hillslope in Portland’s West Hills, Oregon, 2006–2017
Series title Data Series
Series number 1050
DOI 10.3133/ds1050
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Geologic Hazards Science Center
Description Report: iv, 10 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Oregon
City Portland
Other Geospatial Tualatin Mountains, West Hills of Portland
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details