Geomorphic and vegetative characteristics along three northern Virginia streams

Research Article| September 01, 1984 Geomorphic and vegetative characteristics along three northern Virginia streams W. R. OSTERKAMP; W. R. OSTERKAMP 1U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar C. R. HUPP C. R. HUPP 1U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information W. R. OSTERKAMP 1U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 C. R. HUPP 1U.S. Geological Survey, National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (1984) 95 (9): 1093–1101. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1984)95<1093:GAVCAT>2.0.CO;2 Article history First Online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation W. R. OSTERKAMP, C. R. HUPP; Geomorphic and vegetative characteristics along three northern Virginia streams. GSA Bulletin 1984;; 95 (9): 1093–1101. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1984)95<1093:GAVCAT>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Geometry, sediment, and woody-vegetation data were collected from bottomland geomorphic surfaces at valley sections along three gaged perennial streams of northern Virginia. The basins of the streams differ widely in topography and physiography; mean discharges vary from 0.196 to 323 m3 per sec. Prevalent surfaces identified were the depositional bar, the active-channel shelf, the flood plain, and terraces. The stages corresponding to active-channel–shelf levels were equivalent to flow durations of 5% to 13%. Stages corresponding to flood-plain levels were equivalent to discharges with 1.4- to 2.0-yr recurrence intervals. The discharge data and statistical tests of geomorphic-surface, sediment, and vegetative data suggest that the various alluvial features are formed and maintained by hydraulically controlled sorting processes.Analysis of woody-plant and geomorphic data shows that each surface supports characteristic species, some of which are nearly unique to a surface. Tests of sediment type with species distribution showed lower correlation than that of geomorphic surface with species. It is inferred that plant distributions largely are controlled by flow frequency and intensity, and that plants may help to identify geomorphic levels and potential for flood damage. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.