Chapter 12 Weathering and Erosion
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Ecosystem Flow Recommendations for the Delaware River Basin
Ecosystem Flow Recommendations for the Delaware River Basin Report to the Delaware River Basin Commission Upper Delaware River © George Gress Submitted by The Nature Conservancy December 2013 THE NATURE CONSERVANCY Ecosystem Flow Recommendations for the Delaware River Basin December 2013 Report prepared by The Nature Conservancy Michele DePhilip Tara Moberg The Nature Conservancy 2101 N. Front St Building #1, Suite 200 Harrisburg, PA 17110 Phone: (717) 232‐6001 E‐mail: Michele DePhilip, [email protected] Suggested citation: DePhilip, M. and T. Moberg. 2013. Ecosystem flow recommendations for the Delaware River basin. The Nature Conservancy. Harrisburg, PA. Table of Contents Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................................. iii Project Summary ................................................................................................................................... iv Section 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Project Description and Goals ............................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Approach ........................................................................................................................ 2 Section 2: Project Area and Basin Characteristics .................................................................... 6 2.1 Project Area ................................................................................................................................. -
To Middle Silurian) in Eastern Pennsylvania
The Shawangunk Formation (Upper OrdovicianC?) to Middle Silurian) in Eastern Pennsylvania GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 744 Work done in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Depa rtm ent of Enviro nm ental Resources^ Bureau of Topographic and Geological Survey The Shawangunk Formation (Upper Ordovician (?) to Middle Silurian) in Eastern Pennsylvania By JACK B. EPSTEIN and ANITA G. EPSTEIN GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 744 Work done in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Bureau of Topographic and Geological Survey Statigraphy, petrography, sedimentology, and a discussion of the age of a lower Paleozoic fluvial and transitional marine clastic sequence in eastern Pennsylvania UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1972 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ROGERS C. B. MORTON, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY V. E. McKelvey, Director Library of Congress catalog-card No. 74-189667 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 65 cents (paper cover) Stock Number 2401-2098 CONTENTS Page Abstract _____________________________________________ 1 Introduction __________________________________________ 1 Shawangunk Formation ___________________________________ 1 Weiders Member __________ ________________________ 2 Minsi Member ___________________________________ 5 Lizard Creek Member _________________________________ 7 Tammany Member _______________________________-_ 12 Age of the Shawangunk Formation _______ __________-___ 14 Depositional environments and paleogeography _______________ 16 Measured sections ______________________________________ 23 References cited ________________________________________ 42 ILLUSTRATIONS Page FIGURE 1. Generalized geologic map showing outcrop belt of the Shawangunk Formation in eastern Pennsylvania and northwestern New Jersey ___________________-_ 3 2. Stratigraphic section of the Shawangunk Formation in the report area ___ 3 3-21. Photographs showing 3. Conglomerate and quartzite, Weiders Member, Lehigh Gap ____ 4 4. -
Classifying Rivers - Three Stages of River Development
Classifying Rivers - Three Stages of River Development River Characteristics - Sediment Transport - River Velocity - Terminology The illustrations below represent the 3 general classifications into which rivers are placed according to specific characteristics. These categories are: Youthful, Mature and Old Age. A Rejuvenated River, one with a gradient that is raised by the earth's movement, can be an old age river that returns to a Youthful State, and which repeats the cycle of stages once again. A brief overview of each stage of river development begins after the images. A list of pertinent vocabulary appears at the bottom of this document. You may wish to consult it so that you will be aware of terminology used in the descriptive text that follows. Characteristics found in the 3 Stages of River Development: L. Immoor 2006 Geoteach.com 1 Youthful River: Perhaps the most dynamic of all rivers is a Youthful River. Rafters seeking an exciting ride will surely gravitate towards a young river for their recreational thrills. Characteristically youthful rivers are found at higher elevations, in mountainous areas, where the slope of the land is steeper. Water that flows over such a landscape will flow very fast. Youthful rivers can be a tributary of a larger and older river, hundreds of miles away and, in fact, they may be close to the headwaters (the beginning) of that larger river. Upon observation of a Youthful River, here is what one might see: 1. The river flowing down a steep gradient (slope). 2. The channel is deeper than it is wide and V-shaped due to downcutting rather than lateral (side-to-side) erosion. -
Drainage Patterns
Drainage Patterns Over time, a stream system achieves a particular drainage pattern to its network of stream channels and tributaries as determined by local geologic factors. Drainage patterns or nets are classified on the basis of their form and texture. Their shape or pattern develops in response to the local topography and Figure 1 Aerial photo illustrating subsurface geology. Drainage channels develop where surface dendritic pattern in Gila County, AZ. runoff is enhanced and earth materials provide the least Courtesy USGS resistance to erosion. The texture is governed by soil infiltration, and the volume of water available in a given period of time to enter the surface. If the soil has only a moderate infiltration capacity and a small amount of precipitation strikes the surface over a given period of time, the water will likely soak in rather than evaporate away. If a large amount of water strikes the surface then more water will evaporate, soaks into the surface, or ponds on level ground. On sloping surfaces this excess water will runoff. Fewer drainage channels will develop where the surface is flat and the soil infiltration is high because the water will soak into the surface. The fewer number of channels, the coarser will be the drainage pattern. Dendritic drainage pattern A dendritic drainage pattern is the most common form and looks like the branching pattern of tree roots. It develops in regions underlain by homogeneous material. That is, the subsurface geology has a similar resistance to weathering so there is no apparent control over the direction the tributaries take. -
A Groundwater Sapping in Stream Piracy
Darryll T. Pederson, Department of energy to the system as increased logic settings, such as in a delta, stream Geosciences, University of Nebraska, recharge causes groundwater levels to piracy is a cyclic event. The final act of Lincoln, NE 68588-0340, USA rise, accelerating stream piracy. stream piracy is likely a rapid event that should be reflected as such in the geo- INTRODUCTION logic record. Understanding the mecha- The term stream piracy brings to mind nisms for stream piracy can lead to bet- ABSTRACT an action of forcible taking, leaving the ter understanding of the geologic record. Stream piracy describes a water-diver- helpless and plundered river poorer for Recognition that stream piracy has sion event during which water from one the experience—a takeoff on stories of occurred in the past is commonly based stream is captured by another stream the pirates of old. In an ironic sense, on observations such as barbed tribu- with a lower base level. Its past occur- two schools of thought are claiming vil- taries, dry valleys, beheaded streams, rence is recognized by unusual patterns lain status. Lane (1899) thought the term and elbows of capture. A marked of drainage, changes in accumulating too violent and sudden, and he used change of composition of accumulating sediment, and cyclic patterns of sediment “stream capture” to describe a ground- sediment in deltas, sedimentary basins, deposition. Stream piracy has been re- water-sapping–driven event, which he terraces, and/or biotic distributions also ported on all time and size scales, but its envisioned to be less dramatic and to be may signify upstream piracy (Bishop, mechanisms are controversial. -
Drainage Basin Morphology in the Central Coast Range of Oregon
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF WENDY ADAMS NIEM for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in GEOGRAPHY presented on July 21, 1976 Title: DRAINAGE BASIN MORPHOLOGY IN THE CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF OREGON Abstract approved: Redacted for privacy Dr. James F. Lahey / The four major streams of the central Coast Range of Oregon are: the westward-flowing Siletz and Yaquina Rivers and the eastward-flowing Luckiamute and Marys Rivers. These fifth- and sixth-order streams conform to the laws of drain- age composition of R. E. Horton. The drainage densities and texture ratios calculated for these streams indicate coarse to medium texture compa- rable to basins in the Carboniferous sandstones of the Appalachian Plateau in Pennsylvania. Little variation in the values of these parameters occurs between basins on igneous rook and basins on sedimentary rock. The length of overland flow ranges from approximately i mile to i mile. Two thousand eight hundred twenty-five to 6,140 square feet are necessary to support one foot of channel in the central Coast Range. Maximum elevation in the area is 4,097 feet at Marys Peak which is the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range. The average elevation of summits in the thesis area is ap- proximately 1500 feet. The calculated relief ratios for the Siletz, Yaquina, Marys, and Luckiamute Rivers are compara- ble to relief ratios of streams on the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains and on the Appalachian Piedmont. Coast Range streams respond quickly to increased rain- fall, and runoff is rapid. The Siletz has the largest an- nual discharge and the highest sustained discharge during the dry summer months. -
The Water' Cycle
'I ." Name'~~_~__-,,__....,......,....,......, ~ Class --,-_......,...._------,__ Date ....,......,-.:-_ ..: .•..'-' .. M.ODERN EARTH SCIENCE Section 1s.i The Water' Cycle • Read each statement below. If the statement .ls true, write T in the space provided. If the statement is false, write Fin tbe space provided. -'- 1. The hydrologic cycle is also called the water cycle. 2. Most water evaporating from the earth's surface evaporates from rivers and lakes. 3. When water vapor rises in the atmosphere, it expands and cools. 4. Evapotranspiration increases with increasing temperature. 5. Most water used by industry is recycled. 6. Irrigation is often necessary in areas having high evapotranspiration. Cboose the one best response. Write tbe letter of tbat cboice in tbe space provided. 7. Which of the following is an artificial means of producing fresh water from ocean water? .--i a. desalination b. saltation • c. evapotranspiration d. condensation 8. Which of the following is represented by this diagram? a. the earth's water budget b. local water budget . c. groundwater movement -·d. surface runoff 9. The arrow labeled X represents: a. absorption. b. evaporation.. c. rejuvenation. d. transpiration. _ 10. Approximately what percentage of the earth's precipitation falls-on the ocean? a. 5% b. 25% c. 750/0 d. 99% t • Chapter 13 47 l H_R_w_..._"_ter"_:_al_....._p_yrighted undernotice appearing earlier in thisworic. .'. Name _ Class _ Date - MODERN EARTH SCIENCE .... '''; ... .secti~n'· if2 River Systems Choose the one best response. Write the letter of that choice in the space provided. 1. What is the term for the main stream and tributaries of a river? a. -
How the Gap Formed
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area How the Gap formed What is a water gap? Several words in the English language The Delaware Water Gap is justly famous for denote a “break” or “cleft” in the moun- its depth, width, and scenic beauty. The Gap tains. Chasm and notch are popular in New is a mile wide from New Jersey’s Mount England; pass and gorge in the South and Tammany (1,527 feet) to Pennsylvania’s West of the United States. Gap is especially Mount Minsi (1,463 feet.) The Gap is about common in this part of the country. 1,200 feet deep from the tops of these mountains to the surface of the river, which A gap or wind gap is a break or pass through at this point is 290 feet above sea level. The the mountains, in this case the Appalachian maximum depth of the river at the Gap is Mountains. A water gap is a pass that a river about 55 feet. runs through. How does a gap form? Geology is the study of the earth’s forma- Starting with Native American legend, there tion. Though the geologist’s time frame may have been many ideas about how the seem vast and remote, the results of Delaware Water Gap formed. One current geological processes are the mountains we theory explains the Gap through a series of hike on, the river we swim in, and the processes: continental shift (involving plate scenery we admire. tectonics), mountain building (orogeny), erosion, and the “capturing” of rivers and streams. -
THE EVOLUTION of KNICK-POINT BELT in a RIVER SECTION in HUANGGUOSHU Yang Hankui Li Po Karst Research Office of Guizhou Academy O
IAH 21st Congress XARST HYOROGEOLOGY AND KARST ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION 10-15 October 1988 0U1LIN.CH1NA THE EVOLUTION OF KNICK-POINT BELT IN A RIVER SECTION IN HUANGGUOSHU Yang Hankui Li Po Karst Research Office of Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES OF THE REGION This river section is part of the Dabang River which is a first-order tributary of the North Panjiang River. It is 8 km long, with the north end in Doupo and the south end in Hezuilai. There are 5 knick-points. Their total drop of water is 343 meters high. The whole area of Huangguoshu scenic spot is 600 km2. The regional topography spreads down from north to south, and at the same time becomes lower from its east and west sides to the river valley. The river section is located 685-102 3 m above the sea level, lowering down at a rate of 4.3% . Taking Huangguoshu knick-point as the dividing line, its upper reaches are in the géomorphologie form of shallowly-cut hilly valley, while its lower reaches take the shape of deeply-cut mountainous valley-. The top of each knick-point is a rather wide terrace from which waterfalls drop down, and the bottom is a valley. The géomorphologie form of the upper and lower parts of the Huangguoshu knick-point is entirely different from each other, and is regarded as a local datum plane of. erosion in a certain region. Generally, the present average annual temperature is 17 °C and the annual rain fall is mere than 1200 mm, and even reaches 1500 mm in its upper part of Luobie. -
River Piracy Saraswati That Disappeared
GENERAL I ARTICLE River Piracy Saraswati that Disappeared K S Valdiya The legendary river Saraswati, which flowed from the KSValdiya Himalaya and emptied finally into the Gulf of Kachchh, has is at Jawahadal Nehru vanished. Tectonic movements change river courses, behead Centre for Advanced streams and sometimes even make large rivers such as the Scientific Research, Bangalore. Saraswati disappear. Mighty River of Vedic Time There was this highly venerated river Saraswati flowing through Haryana, Marwar and Bahawalpur in Uttarapath and emptying itself in the GulfofKachchh, which has been described in glowing terms by the Rigveda. "Breaking through the mountain barrier", this "swift-flowing tempestuous river surpasses in majesty and might all other rivers" of the land of the pre-Mahabharat Vedic - Channel in Vedic time ---- Present channel Figure 1 (bottom leftJ , Legendary Saraswati of the I I Vedic times was formed by ," ,I joining together of the \ Shatadru (SatlujJ and what \ I is today known as the \'" J Yamuna. The Aravall was r) ,..r not a highland but a thickly forested terrain sloping 150 km southwestwards. --------~-------- RESONANCE I May 1996 19 GENERAL I ARTICLE Figure 2 (bottom) Satel period. More than 1200 settlements, including many prosperous lite picture of the Haryana towns of the Harappan culture (4600 to 4100 years Before Pres ent Pun/ab region, showing the - BP) and ashrams ofrishis (sages) lay on the banks of this life-line disproportionately wide of the Vedic time. channels (with little or no water) abandoned by big rivers which have migrated Where has that great river gone? It is today represented by the to the east or west. -
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: Outstanding Basin Waters
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: Outstanding Basin Waters Delaware River Basin Commission Page 122 2502 ICP Delaware River at DWGNRA Northern Boundary Delaware River Basin Commission Page 123 2502 ICP Delaware River at DWGNRA Northern Boundary Latitude 41.343611 Longitude -74.757778 by GPS NAD83 decimal degrees. No nearby USGS or State monitoring sites Watershed Population figures were not calculated for main-stem Delaware River sites. Drainage Area: 3,420 square miles, Delaware River Zone 1C Site Specific EWQ defined 2006-2011 by the DRBC/NPS Scenic Rivers Monitoring Program. This site is located at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area northern boundary Classified by DRBC as Significant Resource Waters (Outstanding Basin Waters downstream of this location) Nearest upstream Interstate Control Point: 2547 ICP Delaware River at Port Jervis Nearest downstream Interstate Control Point: 2464 ICP Delaware River at Montague Known dischargers within watershed: Undefined Tributaries to upstream reach: Major tributary 2536 BCP Neversink River, NY; small tributary 250.8 Rosetown Creek, PA. No Stream Stats web site data available (drainage area too large to calculate on web site). Flow Statistics (calculated by drainage area weighting from Port Jervis USGS gage data): Max Flow 90% Flow 75% 60% 50% 40% 25% Flow 10% Flow (CFS) Min (CFS) (CFS) Flow Flow Flow Flow (CFS) Flow (CFS) (CFS) (CFS) (CFS) (CFS) 172,966 12,088 6,752 4,531 3,587 2,860 2,074 1,720 884 Delaware River Basin Commission Page 124 Existing Water Quality: 2502 ICP -
Formation of Waterfalls |Sample Answer
Formation of Waterfalls | Sample answer 2017 Q3.B Examine the impact of the processes of erosion on the formation of one fluvial landform A fluvial landform of erosion is a waterfall. A waterfall is a vertical drip in the youthful stage of a river over which a river falls, usually where a band of soft rock e.g limestone lies downstream from a band of hard rock e.g granite. The process of hydraulic action is very active in forming a waterfall. This is the sheer force of the moving water against the land. It begins as rapids on the river floor which erodes the river’s banks and bed to give rise to the vertical descent of the river’s course. As the river erodes vertically it erodes the soft rock much quicker than the harder rock which leads to differential erosion. The water in the youthful stage is very fast flowing due to the steeper gradient which then allows the water to carry rocks. This makes the process of abrasion active, as the moving rocks scrape and smoothe the river channel. The leads to the increase in the depth of the rapids and the erosive power of hydraulic action. As differential erosion continues, a small waterfall may be formed and seen within the river. The falling water then erodes a deep hole called a plunge pool at the base of the river, as the water is fast flowing and erosive because it is not hindered by friction. The river’s load is word down itself within the plunge pool due to the process of attrition, as the river’s load hits of each other, the riverbed and the back wall.