Topographic map analysis of mountain pass drainage divides

Knowledge graph centered on Topographic map analysis of mountain pass drainage divides with 10 nodes and 17 connections. Top connected: Spruce, Topographic Map Analysis of Mountain Passes Crossi, continental divide, geomorphology paradigm, drainage basin.

Method synopsis

Systematic identification and analysis of mountain passes crossing drainage divides using detailed topographic maps to reconstruct former drainage patterns and interpret geomorphological evolution. The method identifies low points along divides and interprets their formation through former water flow patterns.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 1 paper using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Topographic Map Analysis of Mountain Passes Crossing the Continental Divide Between Colorado River Headwaters and North and South Platte River Headwaters to Test a New Geomorphology Paradigm, Colorado, USA (2020), Journal of Geography and Geology. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Identify mountain passes using topographic maps
   Used detailed topographic maps from USGS National Map website to systematically identify and list named and unnamed mountain passes located along North Platte River-Colorado River and Colorado River-South Platte River drainage divide segments of North America's east-west continental divide
   Quantities: 37 total mountain passes identified - 15 along North Platte-Colorado divide, 22 along Colorado-South Platte divideDuration: Part of systematic studies conducted 1999-2001 and 2011-2013Conditions: High elevation east-west continental divide segments in Colorado Rocky Mountains
   Equipment: USGS National Map website detailed topographic maps, spot elevation tool
2. Measure pass floor elevations and depths
   Determined floor elevations using spot elevation tool and checked against published pass floor elevations. Calculated pass depths based on approximate measurements and nearby continental divide high point elevations
   Quantities: Floor elevations ranging from 2655-3825 meters, depths ranging from 50-800 metersDuration: Measurement phase of the systematic studiesConditions: Based on nearby continental divide high point elevations
   Equipment: spot elevation tool, published pass floor elevations for verification
3. Analyze drainage connections and orientations
   Each listed pass was analyzed to determine how it links valleys on either side of the continental divide. Determined which Colorado River tributary valley connects with which North or South Platte River tributary valley. Recorded pass orientations and drainage valley orientations
   Quantities: Pass orientations recorded as compass directions (N-S, NE-SW, E-W, etc.)

Typical Equipment

• USGS National Map website detailed topographic maps
• spot elevation tool
• published pass floor elevations for verification
• detailed topographic maps for drainage pattern analysis
• topographic maps
• drainage divide analysis tools

Output Measurements

• pass locations
• floor elevations
• pass depths
• drainage connections
• flow directions

Papers Using This Protocol (1)

Species Studied With This Protocol