Stratigraphy and recent evolution of Maryland Piedmond flood plains

Abstract

Prior to European settlement about 1730, flood plains were formed with relatively thin, fine, overbank sediments deposited on top of thin laterally-accreted sand and gravel. Greatly increased sediment supply and moderately increased discharges produced thick, fine overbank sediment deposits and thin lateral accretion sands in the period 1730 to approx 1930. Farm abandonment and introduction of soil conservation techniques slightly decreased water yield and substantially decreased sediment yield to streams in the post-1930 era. -from Authors