Avalanche Research

DHA and its predecessors (Alcan Avalanche Services) have been involved in avalanche research since 1982.

DHA and its predecessors (Alcan Avalanche Services) have been involved in avalanche research since 1982. Beginning with the Atigun Avalanche Engineering Study (a four-part project partially focused on investigating slush flow avalanches), we have continued to be engaged and innovate at the edge of known avalanche sciences.

We have published many papers at the International Snow Science Workshop and spearheaded research efforts funded by the Transportation Avalanche Research Pool (TARP). A recent TARP project focused on identifying the effective radius of common explosives used in RACS. The effective radius affects the density of deployment units and, thus, the costs. While DHA did not conduct the research, we were the champion for the TARP-funded project and provided guidance throughout.

For a project that demands solutions beyond the known science, we can work to determine a research path forward for a science-based solution.

Examples:

  • Atigun Avalanche Engineering Study, Phases 1-4
  • Quantifying the Effectiveness of Active Mitigation on Transportation Corridors
  • Evolution of Avalanche Risk Reduction on the Alaska Railroad
  • Fracture Speeds of Triggered Avalanches
Avalanche Risk Reduction Programs
Short Term Risk Reduction
Risk Reduction for projects brief in time or scope, but where some level of avalanche risk exists. (Read more)
Longer Term Risk Reduction
Risk Reduction for projects where avalanche risk is primary and an avalanche safety plan is developed. (Read more)
Concept Planning
Planning for large multi-phased projects with the project's viability not determined until a future date. (Read more)
Quantifying Avalanche Risk
With any kind of transportation corridor, it is possible to quantify the avalanche risk objectively using the Avalanche Hazard Index. (Read more)
Ski Area-Based Avalanche Assessments
DHA is at the forefront of producing concept and implementation plans for conversion from military artillery to Remote Avalanche Control Systems (RACS). (Read more)
Urban Risk Reduction
Recent trends highlight the difficulty of implementing avalanche zoning laws on the interface between wild and urban settings. (Read more)
Project Management
Providing support in many forms for your capital construction efforts related to implementing an avalanche program or modifying an existing program. (Read more)