Twentieth Century Arroyo Changes in Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Gellis AC. 2002. Twentieth Century Arroyo Changes in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Resources Investigations Report. Water Resources Investigations Report 01-4251. U.S. Geological Survey. Albuquerque, NM
Chaco Wash arroyo channel changes in the 20th century have become a major concern of the National Park Service. Several archeologic and cultural sites are located in the Chaco Wash corridor; thus, increased erosional activity of Chaco Wash, such as channel incision and increased meandering, may affect these sites. Through field surveys, photogrammetric analyses, and reviews of existing reports and maps, arroyo changes at Chaco Culture National Historic Park were documented. Arroyo changes were documented for the inner active channel and the entire arroyo cross section. The inner channel of Chaco Wash evolved from a wide, braided channel in the 1930's to a narrower channel with a well-developed flood plain by the 1970's. From 1934 to 1973 the active channel narrowed an average of 26 meters, and from the 1970's to 2000 the channel narrowed an average of 9 meters. Overall from 1934 to 2000, the inner channel narrowed an average of 30 meters.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Gellis, Allen
- Date of Issue
- 2002
- Publisher
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Units
- CHCU , HIST
- Keywords
- arroyo, Chaco Culture, Changes, Channel Morphology, ehistory, Erosion, Historic, History, Investigation, National Historic Park, Park, Soil Erosion, Water Resources