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A paleohydrologic investigation in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

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dc.contributor.authorFuertsch, Susan Jane, author
dc.contributor.authorWohl, Ellen E., 1962-, advisor
dc.contributor.authorSalas, J. D. (Jose D.), committee member
dc.contributor.authorStednick, John, committee member
dc.coverage.spatialHarpers Ferry (W. Va.)
dc.date.accessioned2019-08-16T22:16:43Z
dc.date.available2019-08-16T22:16:43Z
dc.date.issued1992
dc.descriptionCovers not scanned.
dc.descriptionPages 14 and 80 are missing.
dc.description.abstractA paleohydrologic investigation of the Shenandoah River in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was conducted in response to the recent periodic floods that devastate the community. The study reach was approximately 7.5 km long and consisted of thirty-two surveyed cross-sections. Gaging stations established in 1895 at Millville, West Virginia and in 1882 at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia record flows ranging from a maximum of 6,509 m³s¯' , to a minimum of 2 m³s¯'. The average annual peak discharge for a seventy-year water record was 1,244 m³s¯'. Botanical flood evidence preserved as adventitious sprouts, tree scars and eccentric rings were documented in thirty-seven trees. A flood chronology established from these data extended from 1896 to 1955 after which no botanical indicators were found. Botanical indicators did not extend the systematic record, but they did provide an accurate, although not complete, flood chronology. The completeness of the botanical flood record is highly Sedimentological flood evidence was limited within the study area due to the influence of a humid-temperate climatic regime, which is not conducive to the stratigraphic preservation of individual flood depositional units. Human habitation of the area began in 1733; therefore, qualitative historical records were plentiful. Various historical records were cross-referenced to yield the most complete flood history. The correlation between the various sources was extremely high, demonstrating the comprehensiveness of the record. The historical flood record extends from 1748 to the beginning of the systematic record in 1896. The ability to determine accurate flood stages from paleoflood indicators varied highly. Botanical indicators were found to yield very inaccurate and inconsistent flood stages, and only minimum values of flood stage could be obtained from these data. Historical data did yield accurate stages; however, these stages did not necessarily yield accurate discharge values, depending upon the stationarity and hydraulic complexity of the area.
dc.format.mediummasters theses
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10217/196383
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relationCatalog record number (MMS ID): 991019288329703361
dc.relation.ispartof1980-1999
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.subjectPaleohydrology -- West Virginia -- Harpers Ferry
dc.titleA paleohydrologic investigation in the vicinity of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
dc.typeText
dcterms.rights.dplaThis Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights (https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/). You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
thesis.degree.disciplineEarth Resources
thesis.degree.grantorColorado State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science (M.S.)

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