USGS Science⌕ Search

Geology topics

R.F. Flint

Publications and source records attributed to R.F. Flint.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
USGS1970

Sediment yields of Wisconsin streams

Sediment in Wisconsin streams causes economic and engineering problems in water management and reduces the value of water for nearly all uses. Sediment produces problems such as reduced reservoir capacity, navigation hazards, increased cost of water treatment, property damage, temporary loss of farmland, destruction of feeding and nesting grounds of fish, and destruction of wildlife habitat. Sediment in water also reduces the aesthetic value of surface waters and is detrimental to the State's tourist and recreation industry. The yield of sediment from a drainage basin is subject to many environmental influences. Most sediment results from the weathering and erosion of soil and rock materials. Other factors such as rainfall intensity, runoff rate, topography, rock type, soil characteristics, vegetal cover, and land use also influence the rate of sediment production and movement. An understanding of the many parameters that influence sediment yield is a basic need for managing the State's water resources. The purpose of this report is to describe the magnitude and variability of sediment in Wisconsin streams, to relate sediment yields to the local environment, and to identify areas that need further study. The report is based on sediment data from 44 stream-gaging sites throughout the State. Determination of local areas of erosion and deposition are beyond the scope of the report.

Wisconsin↗
USGS1955

Radiocarbon dates of pre-Mankato events in eastern and central North America

1) A group of samples from horizons previously correlated with the upper part of the Cary substage confirms the correlation as reasonable and is consistently related in time to the dates of the peat layer at Two Creeks and subsequent Mankato events. 2) A major glaciation affected the Great Lakes region beginning 25,000 or more yr ago and reaching its maximum extent about 18,000 yr ago. It is represented by drift correlated in Ohio with the Cary substage and, at least in part, with the Tazewell substage; in Illinois and adjacent states it is correlated with most of the Tazewell substage and with the Farmdale loess. 3) The ecology and other associations implied by the dated samples are more consistent with glacial than with nonglacial conditions. 4) The lower till at Sidney, Ohio (W-188), on which is developed a soil considered a correlative of the Fox series soil on gravels and also buried by till of the major glaciation of 25,000 to 18,000 yr ago, indicates an earlier glaciation extensively exposed in Ohio and believed to be an early Wisconsin event. Table 2. List of samples and dates arranged by age groups. [See table in the PDF file] 5) An earlier glaciation, or glaciations, is implied at several localities by peat, gyttja, or wood more than 30,000 yr old, overlain by till. 6) The time interval between the middle group and the old group of samples, which has been determined within conservative radiocarbon limits to be greater than 3000 yr, is possibly of the order of 16,000 yr, as suggested by the depth of leaching at Sidney, Ohio.(The ages of all the samples discussed are listed in Table 2.) 7) An attempt should now be made to fix more closely the dates of the old samples and to reexamine in the field the stratigraphic sequence in the light of the radiocarbon dates discussed.

Science↗