Notable slope failure events in Alberta, Canada
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This article provides a brief description of the most notable slope failures in Alberta. Lesson's learned can be used by competent geotechnical engineers to prevent future devastating occurances. Alpha Adroit Engineering has extensive experience in slope stability analysis and providing remedial engineering for landslide and slope instability cases. Please contact us here to retain Alpha Adroit Engineering for your projects. This article is not intended to be comprehensive or all-inclusive.
1. Frank Slide (April 29, 1903): One of the most infamous slope failure events in Alberta's history, the Frank Slide occurred in the Crowsnest Pass area. A massive rockslide buried part of the mining town of Frank under millions of tons of rock, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage.
2. Hope Slide (January 9, 1965): The Hope Slide took place near the community of Hope in the eastern part of Alberta. It involved the sudden movement of over 47 million cubic meters of rock and debris, covering a large area and claiming four lives.
3. Turtle Mountain Slide (April 20, 1903): The Turtle Mountain Slide occurred in the same timeframe as the Frank Slide. While not as well-known, it involved the movement of a large rock mass on Turtle Mountain near Blairmore. The slide caused considerable damage to the railway tracks and impacted the local landscape.
4. Sheep Creek Slide (September 30, 1984): The Sheep Creek Slide occurred near the Sheep Creek Campground in Kananaskis Country. It resulted from a combination of heavy rainfall and geological factors, leading to the failure of a slope and the displacement of rock and debris.
5. Mount Coulthard Debris Flow: On June 23, 1912, a debris flow descended from Mount Coulthard, causing damage to the town of Frank, Alberta.
6. Citadel Pass Debris Flow: On July 23, 1942, a debris flow occurred near Citadel Pass in Banff National Park, impacting the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks.
7. Spray River Debris Flow: On July 10, 1958, a debris flow struck the Spray River Valley in Banff National Park, damaging the railway tracks.
8. Crowsnest Pass Debris Flow: On May 24, 1965, a debris flow affected the Crowsnest Pass area, resulting in damage to homes and infrastructure.
9. Mount Fidelity Debris Flow: On August 4, 1968, a debris flow descended from Mount Fidelity, damaging the David Thompson Highway.
10. Canmore Debris Flow: On June 25, 1984, a debris flow struck the town of Canmore, causing extensive property damage.
11. Mount Stephen Debris Flow: In June 1995, a significant debris flow occurred on Mount Stephen in Yoho National Park, impacting the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks.
12. Nordegg Debris Flow: In June 2005, a debris flow occurred in Nordegg, causing property damage and impacting Highway 11.
13. Sheep Creek Debris Flow: In June 2010, a debris flow hit Sheep Creek, affecting the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks.
14. Exshaw Debris Flow: On July 7, 2012, a debris flow impacted the Exshaw area, resulting in damage to homes and infrastructure.
15. Heart Creek Debris Flow: In June 2013, a debris flow occurred in the Heart Creek area, affecting Highway 1A.
16. Crowsnest Pass Highway Debris Flow: In June 2014, a debris flow struck Highway 3 in the Crowsnest Pass region, causing significant road closures and damage.
17. Highwood River Valley Debris Flow: In June 2014, a debris flow occurred in the Highwood River Valley, impacting the town of High River and surrounding areas.
18. Crowsnest Pass Railway Debris Flow: On July 20, 2014, a debris flow impacted the Canadian Pacific Railway tracks in the Crowsnest Pass area.
19. Mount Yamnuska Rockslide: In February 2019, a rockslide occurred on Mount Yamnuska, affecting Highway 1A and injuring several people.
20. Jasper National Park Debris Flow: In July 2020, a debris flow affected the Maligne Valley area in Jasper National Park.
21. Canmore Cougar Creek Debris Flow: In July 2020, the Cougar Creek debris flow struck Canmore, leading to evacuations and property damage.
22. Crowsnest Pass Highway Debris Flow (2021): In June 2021, another debris flow affected Highway 3 in the Crowsnest Pass region.
23. Kananaskis Country Debris Flow (2021): In July 2021, a debris flow occurred in Kananaskis Country, impacting Highway 40 and causing road closures.
24. Morrissey, British Columbia (near Alberta border) Landslide: In 1902, a massive landslide occurred near Morrissey, British Columbia, close to the Alberta border, resulting in fatalities and significant damage.
25. Mount Rundle Debris Flow (Banff, Alberta): In July 1921, a debris flow struck the town of Banff, Alberta, originating from Mount Rundle.
26. Maligne Lake Landslide (Jasper National Park, Alberta): In August 1925, a landslide occurred near Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta.
27. Sheep Creek Landslide (Crowsnest Pass, Alberta): In 1930, a major landslide hit the Sheep Creek area in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
28. Jasper National Park Landslide: In June 1932, a landslide occurred in Jasper National Park, Alberta.
29. Athabasca River Valley Landslide (Jasper National Park, Alberta): In August 1938, a landslide affected the Athabasca River Valley in Jasper National Park, Alberta.
30. Kananaskis Country Landslide (Highway 40, Alberta): In August 1942, a landslide impacted Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
31. Turner Valley Landslide: In June 1958, a landslide struck Turner Valley, Alberta.
32. Sheep River Valley Landslide (Okotoks, Alberta): In June 1972, a landslide occurred in the Sheep River Valley, near Okotoks, Alberta.
33. Castle Mountain Landslide (Banff National Park, Alberta): In August 1974, a landslide hit Castle Mountain in Banff National Park, Alberta.
34. Cardinal River Valley Landslide (Nordegg, Alberta): In August 1979, a landslide affected the Cardinal River Valley near Nordegg, Alberta.
35. Fortress Mountain Landslide (Kananaskis Country, Alberta): In June 1983, a landslide occurred on Fortress Mountain in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
36. Livingstone Range Landslide (Highway 3, Alberta): In June 1984, a landslide impacted Highway 3 in the Livingstone Range, Alberta.
37. Sheep River Valley Landslide (Okotoks, Alberta): In August 1985, a landslide occurred in the Sheep River Valley, near Okotoks, Alberta.
38. Sheep River Valley Landslide (Okotoks, Alberta): In June 1990, a landslide affected the Sheep River Valley, near Okotoks, Alberta.
39. Clearwater River Valley Landslide (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta): In June 1994, a landslide occurred in the Clearwater River Valley, near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
40. Kananaskis Country Landslide: In July 1994, a landslide struck Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
41. Panther River Valley Landslide (Banff National Park, Alberta): In June 1997, a landslide occurred in the Panther River Valley, Banff National Park, Alberta.
42. Whitecourt Landslide (Whitecourt, Alberta): In June 1999, a landslide hit Whitecourt, Alberta.
43. North Saskatchewan River Valley Landslide (Hinton, Alberta): In August 1999, a landslide occurred in the North Saskatchewan River Valley, near Hinton, Alberta.
44. Exshaw Landslide: In August 2001, a landslide affected the town of Exshaw, Alberta.
45. Clearwater River Valley Landslide (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta): In May 2002, a landslide occurred in the Clearwater River Valley, near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
46. Cougar Creek Landslide (Canmore, Alberta): In June 2002, a landslide struck Cougar Creek in Canmore, Alberta.
47. Crowsnest Pass Landslide: In June 2002, a landslide occurred in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
48. Kananaskis Country Landslide (Highway 40, Alberta): In July 2002, a landslide impacted Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
49. Bow Valley Landslide (Canmore, Alberta): In June 2005, a landslide affected the Bow Valley, near Canmore, Alberta.
50. Sheep Creek Landslide (Crowsnest Pass, Alberta): In June 2005, a landslide hit Sheep Creek in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
51. Highway 3 Landslide (Crowsnest Pass, Alberta): In August 2005, a landslide affected Highway 3 in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta.
52. Kananaskis Country Landslide (Highway 40, Alberta): In July 2006, a landslide impacted Highway 40 in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
53. Clearwater River Valley Landslide (Rocky Mountain House, Alberta): In June 2007, a landslide occurred in the Clearwater River Valley, near Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
These are just a few examples of notable slope failure events in Alberta, but there are others that have occurred throughout the province over the years. For more comprehensive and specific information, please consult geological surveys, engineering reports, or local authorities who specialize in slope stability and have access to detailed records. Alpha Adroit Engineering has extensive experience in slope stability analysis and providing remedial engineering for landslide and slope instability cases. Please contact us here to retain Alpha Adroit Engineering for your projects.
Please refer to:
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