A Watershed Is the Land Area That Catches and Drains Rainfall Of

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

A Watershed Is the Land Area That Catches and Drains Rainfall Of

Most of the state’s surface waters West Virginia has 28 major watersheds, or 32 if (those west of the Allegheny divided according to the USGS hydrologic unit codes, Mountains) flow into the Ohio River. that contribute to the Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of The Ohio joins the Mississippi River Mexico. DEP’s Watershed Assessment Branch provides at Cairo, IL. The Mississippi flows a list of the named streams and rivers within each of West into the Gulf of Mexico at New Virginia’s 32 watersheds. A watershed is the land area that catches Orleans, LA. The surface waters east and drains rainfall or snowmelt into a of the Allegheny Mountains (Eastern stream, river, wetland, lake or other water continental divide) flow into the body. The watershed is the place we live; Potomac River. A few streams in the it is an interconnected system of land, southeastern corner of the state flow water, people, plants and animals. towards the James River. The James enters the Chesapeake Bay near Newport News, VA and the Potomac enters the Chesapeake Bay southeast of Washington DC. The Cheat River, Dunkard Creek, Monongahela River, Tygart Valley River, West Fork River, the Youghigheny River and the New River flow into the Ohio to the north. The Big Sandy River, Coal River, Elk River, Gauley River, Greenbrier River, Guyandotte River, Kanawha River, Little Kanawha River, several direct drains to the Ohio, which are divided into the Upper Ohio, Middle Ohio and Lower Ohio, Tug Fork River and Twelvepole Creek flow into the Ohio River in a north and northwest direction. The Cacapon River, the North and South Branch of the Potomac and the Shenandoah River flow into the Potomac River to the north; the Shenandoah (Hardy Co) streams flow south. There are also several streams flowing directly into the Potomac. In the southeastern Digital watersheds: http://www.iwr.msu.edu/dw/ corner of the state (Monroe County) is Potts Creek, which flows into the Jackson River in Virginia, which eventually empties into the James River..

Copy Link

Recommended publications

Little Kanawha Byway
Little Kanawha Byway Perhaps the most accessible of all of West Virginia’s byways, the Little Kanawha Byway is bookended by I-77 and I-79. Starting in the west at I-77, the parkway begins its journey in Mineral Wells and mirrors the banks of the Little Kanawha River. Being totally paved, this roadway is perfect for RVs and others wanting a smooth ride so they can take in all of the beautiful pastoral sites. Hughes River Wildlife Management Area The byway passes the Hughes River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This 10,000-acre WMA allows hunting for turkey, deer, grouse, squirrel, and rabbit. The nearby Hughes River, along with the Little Kanawha, is filled with muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish perfect for a weekend fishing trip. Burning Springs Further along the river, the town of Burning Springs was once one of the major hubs of the American oil industry. In 1859, and later in the 1890s, the area around Burning Springs and Parkersburg was literally seeping with oil just beneath the surface. These oil strikes turned many men into millionaires in only a few months until the shallow wells ran dry. For those interested in seeing a piece of the Mountain State’s oil history, The Parkersburg Oil & Gas Museum is restoring one of the old derricks that stood above the oilfields in Burning Springs. Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Area At the eastern edge of the byway, the beautiful lake and surrounding protected fields and forests of the Burnsville Lake Wildlife Management Area provide a welcome respite from the hurried pace of today’s world.
[Show full text]
02070001 South Branch Potomac 01605500 South Branch Potomac River at Franklin, WV 01606000 N F South Br Potomac R at Cabins, WV 01606500 So
Appendix D Active Stream Flow Gauging Stations In West Virginia Active Stream Flow Gauging Stations In West Virginia 02070001 South Branch Potomac 01605500 South Branch Potomac River At Franklin, WV 01606000 N F South Br Potomac R At Cabins, WV 01606500 So. Branch Potomac River Nr Petersburg, WV 01606900 South Mill Creek Near Mozer, WV 01607300 Brushy Fork Near Sugar Grove, WV 01607500 So Fk So Br Potomac R At Brandywine, WV 01608000 So Fk South Branch Potomac R Nr Moorefield, WV 01608070 South Branch Potomac River Near Moorefield, WV 01608500 South Branch Potomac River Near Springfield, WV 02070002 North Branch Potomac 01595200 Stony River Near Mount Storm,WV 01595800 North Branch Potomac River At Barnum, WV 01598500 North Branch Potomac River At Luke, Md 01600000 North Branch Potomac River At Pinto, Md 01604500 Patterson Creek Near Headsville, WV 01605002 Painter Run Near Fort Ashby, WV 02070003 Cacapon-Town 01610400 Waites Run Near Wardensville, WV 01611500 Cacapon River Near Great Cacapon, WV 02070004 Conococheague-Opequon 01613020 Unnamed Trib To Warm Spr Run Nr Berkeley Spr, WV 01614000 Back Creek Near Jones Springs, WV 01616500 Opequon Creek Near Martinsburg, WV 02070007 Shenandoah 01636500 Shenandoah River At Millville, WV 05020001 Tygart Valley 03050000 Tygart Valley River Near Dailey, WV 03050500 Tygart Valley River Near Elkins, WV 03051000 Tygart Valley River At Belington, WV 03052000 Middle Fork River At Audra, WV 03052450 Buckhannon R At Buckhannon, WV 03052500 Sand Run Near Buckhannon, WV 03053500 Buckhannon River At Hall, WV 03054500 Tygart Valley River At Philippi, WV Page D 1 of D 5 Active Stream Flow Gauging Stations In West Virginia 03055500 Tygart Lake Nr Grafton, WV 03056000 Tygart Valley R At Tygart Dam Nr Grafton, WV 03056250 Three Fork Creek Nr Grafton, WV 03057000 Tygart Valley River At Colfax, WV 05020002 West Fork 03057300 West Fork River At Walkersville, WV 03057900 Stonewall Jackson Lake Near Weston, WV 03058000 West Fork R Bl Stonewall Jackson Dam Nr Weston 03058020 West Fork River At Weston, WV 03058500 W.F.
[Show full text]
Notable Local Floods of 1942-43
Notable Local Floods of 1942-43 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1134 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1952 CONTENTS The letters in parenthesis preceding the titles are those used to designate the separate chapters] Page (A) Flood of August 4-5, 1943, in central West Virginia, by H. M. Erskine. 1 (B) Floods of July 18, 1942, in north-central Pennsylvania, by William S. Eisenlohr, Jr________________________________________________ 59 ILLUSTRATIONS PLATE 1. Map of West Virginia showing location of points where flood determinations were made__________--_-_--__-_-_-_--__-_ 48 2. Map of flood area showing locations of stream-gaging stations, rainfall-measurement points, and isohyetal lines for July 17-18, 1942-____-___________________-___-______--_-_-____- In pocket FIGURE 1. Map of West Virginia showing location of Little Kanawha River basin_________________________-__-__--_-_---_-_ 2 2. Residence of Yeager family, which was flooded. ____________ 5 3. Residence, near Heaters, which was washed dowiistream_____ 6 4. Washed-out railroad bridge on Copen Run _________________ 6 5. Washed-out fill on State Route 5 at Jobs Run______________ 7 6. Rock and mud deposit from a hillside wash________________ 7 7. Typical sand and gravel deposits__________________________ 8 8. Typical hillside erosion_____________________-_____-__--__ 8 9. Cornfield destroyed by flood. _--_____________-__-__-_-__- 9 10. Isohyetal map of Little Kanawha River basin showing total rainfall July 26-30, 1943__________________--_-____--- 10 11. Isohyetal map of Little Kanawha River basin showing total rainfall August 4-5, 1943__ ______________-___-_--__--__ 13 12.
[Show full text]
GAULEY RIVER Ifjj
D-1 IN final wild and scenic river study ~ORA GE ' auoust 1983 GAULEY RIVER ifjJ WEST VIRGINIA PLEASE RETURN TO: TECHNICAL ltfFORMATION CENTER DENVER SERVICE CE'NTER NATIONAL PARK SERVICE UNITED S'm.TES DEPARIMENT CF 'lHE INI'ERIOR/NATICNAL PARK SERVICE As the Nation's principal conservation a· gency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility for most of our nationally owned public lands and natural resources. This includes fostering the wisest use of our land and water resources, protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the environ mental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and providing for the enjoyment of life through out door recreation. The Oepartmer:t assesses our energy and min· eral resources and works to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also has a major responsibility for American Indian reservation communities and for people who live in island territories un der U. S. administration. FINl\L REPORT GAULEY RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVER S'IUDY WEST VIRGINIA August 1983 Prepared by: Mid-Atlantic Regional Office National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior ,. OONTENTS I. SUMMAm' OF FINDINGS / 1 I I • CDNDUCT' OF 'llIE S'IUDY I 6 Purpose I 6 Background I 6 Study Approach I 6 Public Involvement I 7 Significant Issues / 8 Definitions of Terms Used in Report I 9 III. EVAWATION I 10 Eligibility I 10 Classification I 12 Suitcbility / 15 IV. THE RIVER ENVIOONMENT I 18 Natural Resources / 18 Cultural Resources / 29 Existing Public Use / 34 Status of Land OWnership arrl Use / 39 V.
[Show full text]
“A People Who Have Not the Pride to Record Their History Will Not Long
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE i “A people who have not the pride to record their History will not long have virtues to make History worth recording; and Introduction no people who At the rear of Old Main at Bethany College, the sun shines through are indifferent an arcade. This passageway is filled with students today, just as it was more than a hundred years ago, as shown in a c.1885 photograph. to their past During my several visits to this college, I have lingered here enjoying the light and the student activity. It reminds me that we are part of the past need hope to as well as today. People can connect to historic resources through their make their character and setting as well as the stories they tell and the memories they make. future great.” The National Register of Historic Places recognizes historic re- sources such as Old Main. In 2000, the State Historic Preservation Office Virgil A. Lewis, first published Historic West Virginia which provided brief descriptions noted historian of our state’s National Register listings. This second edition adds approx- Mason County, imately 265 new listings, including the Huntington home of Civil Rights West Virginia activist Memphis Tennessee Garrison, the New River Gorge Bridge, Camp Caesar in Webster County, Fort Mill Ridge in Hampshire County, the Ananias Pitsenbarger Farm in Pendleton County and the Nuttallburg Coal Mining Complex in Fayette County. Each reveals the richness of our past and celebrates the stories and accomplishments of our citizens. I hope you enjoy and learn from Historic West Virginia.
[Show full text]
An Allocation of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources to Gauley River National Recreation Area and New River Gorge National River, West Virginia
An Allocation of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources to Gauley River National Recreation Area and New River Gorge National River, West Virginia By Christopher J. Schenk, Timothy R. Klett, Ronald R. Charpentier, Troy A. Cook, Robert A. Crovelli, Richard M. Pollastro, and Robert C. Milici This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Open-File Report 03–396 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Contents Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 USGS Methodology for Resource Allocation........................................................................................... 1 Results ............................................................................................................................................................ 3 Additional Information ................................................................................................................................. 3 Gauley River National Recreation Area..........................................................................................
[Show full text]
Candy Darter Recovery Outline
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Candy Darter Recovery Outline Photo by Corey Dunn, University of Missouri Species Name: Candy Darter (Etheostoma osburni) Species Range: Upper Kanawha River Basin including the Gauley, Greenbrier, and New River Watersheds including portions of Greenbrier, Pocahontas, Nicholas, and Webster counties in West Virginia; and Bland, Giles, and Wythe counties, Virginia. The range of the species is shown in figure 1 below. Recovery Priority Number: 5; explanation provided below Listing Status: Endangered; November 21, 2019; 83 FR 58747 Lead Regional Office/Cooperating RO(s): Northeast Region, Hadley MA Lead Field Office/Cooperating FO(s): West Virginia Field Office, Elkins WV; Southwestern Virginia Field Office, Abingdon, VA; White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery, White Sulphur Springs, WV Lead Contact: Barbara Douglas, 304-636-6586 ext 19. [email protected] 1) Background This section provides a brief overview of the ecology and conservation of the candy darter. This information is more fully described in the Species Status Assessment (SSA), the final listing rule, and the proposed critical habitat rule. These documents are available at: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/candydarter/ 1 Type and Quality of Available Information to Date: Important Information Gaps and Treatment of Uncertainties One of the primary threats that resulted in the listing of the candy darter under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is the spread of the introduced variegate darter (Etheostoma variatum). This species hybridizes with the candy darter. Key information gaps and areas of uncertainty for the recovery and management of the candy darter include whether there are any habitat or other natural factors that could limit the spread of variegate darter.
[Show full text]
The Natural History & Distribution of Riverine Turtles in West Virginia
Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar Theses, Dissertations and Capstones 2010 The aN tural History & Distribution of Riverine Turtles in West Virginia Linh Diem Phu Follow this and additional works at: http://mds.marshall.edu/etd Part of the Aquaculture and Fisheries Commons, and the Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons Recommended Citation Phu, Linh Diem, "The aN tural History & Distribution of Riverine Turtles in West Virginia" (2010). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. Paper 787. This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Marshall Digital Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses, Dissertations and Capstones by an authorized administrator of Marshall Digital Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Natural History & Distribution of Riverine Turtles in West Virginia Thesis submitted to the Graduate College of Marshall University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biological Sciences By Linh Diem Phu Dr. Thomas K. Pauley, Ph.D., Committee Chairperson Dr. Dan Evans, Ph.D. Dr. Suzanne Strait, Ph.D. Marshall University May 2010 Abstract Turtles are unique evolutionary marvels that evolved from amphibians and developed their protective shelled form more than 200 million years ago. In West Virginia, there are 10 native species of turtles, 9 of which are aquatic. Most of these aquatic turtles feed on carrion and dead plant matter, in the water and essentially "clean" our water systems. Turtles are long-lived animals with sensitive life stages that can serve as both long-term and short-term bioindicators of environmental health. With the increase in commercial trade, habitat fragmentation, degradation, destruction, there has been a marked decline in turtle species.
[Show full text]
Gazetteer of West Virginia
Bulletin No. 233 Series F, Geography, 41 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CHARLES D. WALCOTT, DIKECTOU A GAZETTEER OF WEST VIRGINIA I-IEISTRY G-AN3STETT WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1904 A» cl O a 3. LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. DEPARTMENT OP THE INTEKIOR, UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, Washington, D. C. , March 9, 190Jh SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for publication as a bulletin, a gazetteer of West Virginia! Very respectfully, HENRY GANNETT, Geogwvpher. Hon. CHARLES D. WALCOTT, Director United States Geological Survey. 3 A GAZETTEER OF WEST VIRGINIA. HENRY GANNETT. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE. The State of West Virginia was cut off from Virginia during the civil war and was admitted to the Union on June 19, 1863. As orig inally constituted it consisted of 48 counties; subsequently, in 1866, it was enlarged by the addition -of two counties, Berkeley and Jeffer son, which were also detached from Virginia. The boundaries of the State are in the highest degree irregular. Starting at Potomac River at Harpers Ferry,' the line follows the south bank of the Potomac to the Fairfax Stone, which was set to mark the headwaters of the North Branch of Potomac River; from this stone the line runs due north to Mason and Dixon's line, i. e., the southern boundary of Pennsylvania; thence it follows this line west to the southwest corner of that State, in approximate latitude 39° 43i' and longitude 80° 31', and from that corner north along the western boundary of Pennsylvania until the line intersects Ohio River; from this point the boundary runs southwest down the Ohio, on the northwestern bank, to the mouth of Big Sandy River.
[Show full text]
Natural History Gauley River
Natural History National Park Service There are many rare and threatened animal U.S. Department of the Interior species within the recreation area including the Allegheny woodrat,cerulean warbler, Gauley River National Recreation Area black-bellied salamander (a rare species), and finescale saddled darter. Gauley River Vegetation is diverse and abundant along the Gauley River. Extremes in topography, elevation and microclimate have caused tremendous variation in plant life. Most of the recreation area is below 2,000 feet. Central hardwood trees thrive here such as red oak, white oak, American beech, yellow poplar, hemlock and dogwood. High-energy rivers are an ecological driving force for some plant communities. Gauley Gauley River National Recreation Area River is an excellent example of a high energy offers big thrills to thousands of Whitewater system which supports rare plant species and enthusiasts along its path through narrow their communities such as Virginia spiraea, gorges. The park includes 25 miles of the Appalachian blue violet, and Barbara's Gauley River and 5 miles of the Meadow River. buttons. The Gauley River is ranked among the best Whitewater rivers in the world by expert The Three Rivers boaters. Dropping more than 668 feet through rugged terrain, the river's complex stretch of Gauley River National Recreation Area is Whitewater features more than 100 rapids with one of three National Park units in southern a steep gradient, technical runs, an incredible West Virginia, together with New River Gorge volume of water and huge waves. National River and Bluestone National Scenic River. The diversity of natural and historical Established in 1988 for its recreational resources found in these three parks are opportunities, the Gauley River offers preserved as part of a larger family of nearly Whitewater boating, fishing, camping, hunting, 400 nationally significant places which make and picnicking.
[Show full text]
Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University, Robert C
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This publication was made possible by the support of the following organizations and individuals: Center for Excellence in Disabilities at West Virginia University, Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center West Virginia Assistive Technology System (WVATS) West Virginia Division of Natural Resources West Virginia Division of Tourism Partnerships in Assistive Technologies, Inc. (PATHS) Special thanks to Stephen K. Hardesty and Brittany Valdez for their enthusiasm while working on this Guide. 1 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .......................................................... 3 • How to Use This Guide ......................................... 4 • ADA Sites .............................................................. 5 • Types of Fish ......................................................... 7 • Traveling in West Virginia ...................................... 15 COUNTY INDEX .......................................................... 19 ACTIVITY LISTS • Public Access Sites ............................................... 43 • Lakes ..................................................................... 53 • Trout Fishing ......................................................... 61 • River Float Trips .................................................... 69 SITE INDEX ................................................................. 75 SITE DESCRIPTIONS .................................................. 83 APPENDICES A. Recreation Organizations ......................................207 B. Trout Stocking Schedule .......................................209
[Show full text]
WVWA Ranked List of Rivers
WVWA’s Ranked Lists of Rivers, Streams and Creeks The following two lists are a ranking of river sections by paddling difficulty, from easier to more difficult. The rivers were ranked at a flow that a paddler is likely to encounter at an enjoyable level. The sections of larger rivers were ranked assuming a flow somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 cfs. The creeks and smaller rivers were ranked with a flow somewhere between 200 and 1,000 cfs. A minimum stage or flow is also listed but was not used for ranking purposes. This minimum level may be easier or more difficult and is only listed to indicate a minimum "doable" level. When a classification appears in parentheses it indicates one rapid which is harder that the rapids on the rest of the run. For example, Class II-III+(IV) indicates that one rapid of class IV difficulty may be expected. An * appearing after a river name indicates that adjoining river mileage may be paddled but the additional mileage is harder and may affect the ranking of the river. An ** appearing after the minimum level indicates that a visual gauge is commonly used and a paddler may have to use a conversion factor to obtain that reading. These ranking began with a compilation of rivers and creeks by WVWA member Turner Sharp. The compilations were sent to 25 WVWA members for ranking. Eleven were returned and were used in these rankings. These ranked lists are an attempt to have a consistent method of labeling rivers by difficulty when organizing a trip schedule.
[Show full text]