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R.F. Flint

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

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Fluvial sedimentation in Kentucky

Covering periods 1942-45 and 1951-81, this report documents the characteristics of sediments being transported from 79 drainage areas within the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and from eight stations on the main stem of the Ohio River. The drainage areas range in size from 0.67 square mile at Cane Branch near Parkers Lake to 40,330 square miles at Tennessee River near Paducah. Sediment yields and particle size of suspended and bed sediments are discussed by physiographic province. The Blue Grass had the highest average annual suspended-sediment yield for selected stations of 741 tons per square mile, and the Western Coal Field had the lowest with 197. The Eastern Coal Field had the broadest range of annual suspended-sediment yields. The range was from 25 tons per square mile at Helton Branch near Greenwood to 21,000 tons per square mile at Millers Creek near Phyllis. For selected stations bedload discharge was estimated to be 5 to 10 percent as much as the suspended-sediment discharge. Only three drainage areas had sediment yields that exceeded the average annual erosion rates for cultivated land in Kentucky of 9.93 tons per acre (6,355 tons per square mile). These three were in the Eastern Coal Field. (USGS)

Water-Resources Investigations Report↗

Fluvial sediment in Hocking River subwatershed 1 (North Branch Hunters Run), Ohio

From May 1956 to May 1962, Hocking River subwatershed 1 of Upper Hocking River Pilot Watershed had an average annual sediment yield from its contributing area of 0.94 square mile of 1,195 tons per square mile. Annual suspended-sediment yield at the outlet, expressed in tons per acre-foot of outflow, decreased from 0.45 in the 1957 water year to 0.10 in the 1962 water year, reflecting a decrease in sediment yield from the 1.04-squaremile drainage area above detention structure 1.

Water Supply Paper↗

Fluvial sediment in Salem Fork watershed, West Virginia

Suspended sediment discharged from the 8.32-square-mile Salem Fork study area in Harrison County, W. Va., averaged 3,500 tons per year during the first 4-year period of investigation and 1,770 tons per year during the second 4-year period. The difference as attributed to increased flow control, effected by the completion of detention structures and other conservation measures, the absence of appreciable sediment-producing construction activities, and a reduction of the amounts of rainfall and runoff during the second 4-year period. Particle-size distribution of the suspended sediment discharged from the watershed remained unchanged during the two 4-year periods. Although sand and some silt were deposited in upstream reservoirs, sands and other sediments were evidently entrained in the flow below the reservoirs. During the 7.75-year period, reservoir 11A had a trap efficiency of 88 percent. The average annual sediment yield of subwatershed 11A was 1.31 tons per acre, or 837 tons per square mile. Outflow from reservoir 11A occurred during 81 percent of the investigation 'period, October 1954 to June 1962, and 78 percent of the sediment discharge from the reservoir occurred during less than 6 percent of the investigation period. A comparison of particle-size distribution of inflow sediment with that of outflow sediment revealed that practically all sands and some silts entering reservoir 11A were deposited in the reservoir. Chemical analyses of inflow water and the particle-size analyses suggested that flocculation of fine sediments occurred in the reservoir. Analysis of the sediment data collected at the outflow of reservoir 9 during 1956-62 revealed that the average annual sediment discharge was 128,000 pounds per year. Limited particle-size data suggested that practically no sand was discharged from reservoir 9, even though the inflow contained sand. Average annual inflow to reservoirs 11A and 9 compared favorably with average annual runoff for the entire watershed-study area.

Water Supply Paper↗

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↗

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↗