Qualitative Evaluation of the Effects of Changing Watershed Land Uses on the Hydrology, Channel Morphology and Historical Uses of Valley Creek, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania
Reed WB. 1990. Qualitative Evaluation of the Effects of Changing Watershed Land Uses on the Hydrology, Channel Morphology and Historical Uses of Valley Creek, Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania. NPS/NRWRD/NRTR-90/08. Fort Collins, CO
The objective of this report is to provide a qualitative evaluation of the hydrology and geomorphology of Valley Creek necessary for developing effective bank stabilization strategies. The Valley Creek watershed has undergone extensive land use changes during the last 20 years resulting in changes in Valley Creek flow characteristics and associated fluvial processes. Within the park, the stream has recently been confined by alternative uses of the valley floor, and now threatens these uses as it continues to adjust to changes in watershed conditions. Of particular concern is the potential for the undermining of Route 252 and underlying forced sewer main. In general, it appears that present-day changes in land use from agriculture to low-density residential areas and corporate centers may have less impact on the hydrology of Valley Creek than did the previous transition from agriculture to high-density residential areas and industrial parks. Therefore, if present-day changes in land use continue, the discharge characteristics of Valley Creek will deviate very little from existing conditions. However, channel geometry will continue to widen in response to previous changes in stream flow caused by historic changes in watershed conditions. Based upon these conclusions, slope protection and erosion control efforts should be designed for current streamflow conditions and will need to anticipate future changes in channel geometry. Conceptual slope protection and erosion control designs for the upper forge site and for the reach between the covered bridge and the upper forge site are presented in Appendix A.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Reed, William
- Date of Issue
- 1990-10
- Units
- VAFO
- Keywords
- Aquatic Studies, Erosion, Flow (Streamflow), Hydrology, Land Use, Research Report, Stabilization (Erosion Control), Urbanization, Valley Creek (VAFO), Watersheds