Reconnaissance mapping of likely alluvial valley floors in five western states

Conference · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)

OSTI ID:5432785

Schmidt, J C; Nimick, D A

Regional mapping of areas which potentially qualify as alluvial valley floors has been conducted under contract to the Office of Surface Mining in important coal fields of west-central North Dakota, central Utah, western Colorado, and the entire Powder River basin. Reconnaissance-level data were collected on the hydrology, geomorphology, and agricultural practices in each study area. Identification of unconsolidated deposits found in valleys was based on interpretation of aerial photography, topographic and geologic maps, and field data. Surface-irrigated sites were mapped based on irrigation surveys and an extensive regional inventory conducted during this project. An analysis of patterns of agricultural practices, physiography, geomorphology, and climate resulted in the designation of broad regions with similar styles of irrigation development. Criteria for assigning irrigation capability were developed for each region based on the irrigation practices and key physical components of the developed drainages. Subirrigated areas were interpreted from Landsat imagery taken during the moisture-stress period of mid- to late summer in five different years. Site-specific data available for small areas were used to calibrate the Landsat interpretation. These maps can be useful for planning and decision-making to regulatory and land management agencies as well as industry and public interest groups; they provide a regional perspective of the different components of alluvial valley floors and guidance regarding environmental concerns specific to each valley.

• Research Organization: Earth Resource Associates, Helena, MT
• OSTI ID: 5432785
• Report Number(s): CONF-841204-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Univ. Ky., Off. Eng. Serv., (Bull.); (United States)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
010900* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Environmental Aspects
017000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
510100 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
520100 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AERIAL SURVEYING
AGRICULTURE
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS
COAL MINING
COAL PRODUCING DISTRICTS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
HYDROLOGY
INDUSTRY
IRRIGATION
LAND USE
LANDSAT SATELLITES
MAPPING
MINING
PLANNING
REGIONAL ANALYSIS
REGULATIONS
REMOTE SENSING
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RESOURCES
SATELLITES
SURFACE MINING
WATER RESOURCES