Observations of Soil Wash on Steep, Unvegetated Slopes: Calvert County, Maryland
Abstract
Observations of surface erosion were made along the steep coastal cliffs of Calvert County, Maryland, in order to determine the contribution of these processes to the overall recession of the cliffs. Slope recession rates were measured with the use of erosion pins and sediment catchment basins. Pin observations were made over a 13 month period; the pans were used during the summer only. The combination of freeze-thaw and overland flow during the winter months produced the greatest erosion rates observed at the study site. Slope angle was found to have a measurable influence on soil wash. The number of freezing nights and the amount of overland flow were found to contribute to soil erosion. The slope erosion observed during the study period is within a factor of two of long-term recession rates obtained from a series of aerial photos dating back to 1938, indicating that the processes observed have been acting on the slopes in the past.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 24, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA266037
Entities
People
- Joseph P. Schweitzer
Organizations
- Johns Hopkins University