The document discusses landslides in Western North Carolina. It provides an overview of landslide occurrences in the region, killing 48 people and damaging over 85 homes since 1916. It also summarizes an inventory of landslides in the Wayehutta Creek watershed, which found 37 landslides, 10 subsidence locations, and 116 landslide deposits covering 660 acres. The document describes different types of landslides that occur in WNC and things to look out for like cracks in the ground, structural damage, and curved/leaning trees. It provides online resources for landslide information and how homeowners can protect themselves.

1. LANDSLIDES IN WNC
WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND WHEN TO CALL
Jennifer B. Bauer, L.G.
Jennifer@appalachianlandslide.com

2. Landslide Information
Things to Look for
Resources
OVERVIEW

3. Landslide Information
Things to Look for
Resources
OVERVIEW

4. NORTH CAROLINA LANDSLIDE INVENTORY
locations in ALC/NCGS database
Mapped Landslides = 3,512
Mapped Landslide Deposits = 3,311
• 48 people killed since 1916
• > 85 homes & other structures damaged or destroyed
• Millions of taxpayer and private dollars spent on repair and buyouts

5. WAYEHUTTA
CREEK CREEK
WATERSHED
PHASE I -
INVENTORY
• 37 - Number of
landslides
• 9 Natural slopes
• 28 Modified slopes
• 3 Active landslides
• 6 High potential for
future movement

6. WAYEHUTTA
CREEK CREEK
WATERSHED
PHASE I -
INVENTORY
• 10 – Number of
subsidence locations
• 9 High potential for
future movement

7. WAYEHUTTA
CREEK CREEK
WATERSHED
PHASE I -
INVENTORY
• 116 – Number of
landslide deposits
(660 acres)

8. TYPES OF LANDSLIDES IN WNC
• Debris Flows
• Debris Slides
• Weathered Rock Slides
• Rock Slides
• Natural Slopes
• Human Modified Slopes

9. DEBRIS FLOW –
NATURAL SLOPE
Photo from NCGS

10. Photos from NCGS

11. DEBRIS SLIDE – MODIFIED SLOPE
Photo courtesy of Jackson Co. Erosion Control

12. DEBRIS SLIDE– MODIFIED SLOPE
Photo courtesy of Jackson Co. Erosion Control

13. Landslide Information
Things to Look for
Resources
OVERVIEW

14. EXISTING
SLOPE
MOVEMENTS/
SLOPE
MOVEMENT
DEPOSITS
Mapped Deposit
Map from NCGS
Recent slide area

15. Toe
active
internal
scarp
active main
scarp
inactive scarp
approximate
outline of debris
slide
active scarp
Map and photos from NCGS
Photos from NCGS

16. THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
CRACKS IN THE GROUND

17. THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
STRUCTURAL DAMAGE

18. THINGS TO LOOK FOR:
ABUNDANCE OF CURVED OR LEANING TREES
Photo from NCGS

19. Landslide Information
Things to Look for
Resources
OVERVIEW

20. ONLINE RESOURCES
• Appalachian Landslide Consultants, PLLC website
• NC Geological Survey website
• National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC)
at UNC-Asheville,
• WNC vitality index – all mapped landslides
• OptIN Regional Planning Tool – Southwestern Commission
Council of Government & Appalachian Regional Commission

21. APPALACHIAN LANDSLIDE CONSULTANTS
• Real Estate Property evaluations
• Buyers – looking for land or home
• Sellers – showcase safer building sites
• Owners – wanting to ensure peace of mind
• Developers – Find appropriate development areas, best
use of resources on the land
• Landslide Susceptibility mapping
• Resources on ALC website, Facebook

22. HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
• Be landslide aware
• Report area landslides
• Use the maps
• Call a professional

23. Thank You!
Jennifer B. Bauer, L.G.
Principal Geologist/Co-owner
jennifer@appalachianlandslide.com
Stephen J. Fuemmeler, L.G.
Principal Geologist/Co-owner
stephen@appalachianlandslide.com

24. RESOURCES
• Appalachian Landslide Consultants, PLLC –
• Website - www.appalachianlandslide.com,
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Appalachian-Landslide-
Consultants-PLLC/331675916961376
• NC Geological Survey website -
http://www.geology.enr.state.nc.us/Landslide_Info/Landslides_main.htm
• National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC) at UNC-Asheville
• WNC vitality index – http://www.wncvitalityindex.org/gis/
• OptIN Regional Planning Tool - http://optinswnc.nemac.org/gis/

25. Slope Measurements
Degrees Ratio Percent
45º 1 H : 1 V 100%
39º 1.25 H : 1 V 80%
34º 1.5 H : 1 V 67%
30º 1.75 H : 1 V 57%
27º 2.0 H : 1 V 50%
22º 2.5 H : 1 V 40%
19º 2.9 H : 1 V 35%