Date of Graduation

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

Committee Chair

Robert Eli

Abstract

The Canaan Valley, located in the northern mountains of West Virginia, is the largest area of inland freshwater wetlands in the central Appalachian mountain region. Small, isolated wetlands within the 5,000 ha valley often support many rare plant species. One such area is Abe’s Run wetland, in the southern end of Canaan Valley State Park.

A comprehensive hydrologic study was conducted within the approximately 135 ha Abes Run sub-basin to aid in the protection and management of the area’s rare plants. This study includes the analysis of: the gradient of the local water table using two inch, screened groundwater wells installed throughout the wetland, stream discharge using a V-notched weir and an automated water level logger, simulated potential evapotranspiration, and meteorological conditions such as air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, and solar radiation, gathered from a nearby weather station. Also, a digital terrain model was created from 5 foot contour topographic maps using geographic information systems for analysis in a semi-distributed watershed catchment model, TOPMODEL. The model allows for the analysis of the spatial relationship between the area’s rare plants and other factors such as soil type and local geology. The model was also used to predict stream discharge and trends in water table elevation.

Analysis of the hydrograph, water table elevation, and watershed mass water balance indicate that the wetland is hydrologically dominated by precipitation and evapotranspiration. A perched water table is proposed to exist, supported by an impervious clay layer at a depth of approximately one meter, throughout the wetland. The net gain of water in the watershed predicted by TOPMODEL is greater than that based on observed data.

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