Reservoir releases for power generation often cause rapidly fluctuating water levels and increased velocities in certain downstream sections of rivers. These conditions and the natural geometry of the river can render certain sections of the river dangerous for recreation. Although public utilities take precautionary safety measures immediately downstream of the dam, their measures further downstream have been limited, if not non-existent. The placement of weirs between the dam and dangerous sections would retard the flow—slowing the rise in water levels and decreasing velocities at predetermined dangerous sections. Big Falls, on the New River near McCoy, Virginia, is a popular recreation spot and becomes dangerous at certain times of the day due to releases from Claytor Lake Dam. Several people have drowned at this location over the years. In this study, the influence of weirs placed upstream of Big Falls on the rise of water level and increase in velocity is investigated by an implicit finite difference computer model of one-dimensional gradually varied unsteady flow. The model allows for investigation of different weir geometries and placements, and the effectiveness of these weirs when subjected to various boundary conditions which arise from variations of the maximum peak release hydrograph from Claytor Lake Dam from May to September of 1983 and 1984. Results of the study consist of the optimum weir geometry and placement on the New River upstream of Big Falls. Criteria for determining the weir included physical location limitations, and the effectiveness of the weir in reducing the rate-of-rise of water levels and increased velocities at Big Falls. / M.S.

The New River crosses the core of the ancient, tectonically quiescent Appalachian orogen as it follows its course through North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. It is ideally situated to record the changes in geomorphic process rates that occur in the Appalachians as a response to late Cenozoic climate variations. Active erosion features on resistant bedrock that floors the river at prominent knickpoints demonstrate that the river is currently incising toward base level. However, large packages of alluvial fill and fluvial terraces cut into this fill record an incision history for the river that includes several periods of stalled downcutting and aggradation. Cosmogenic 10-Be exposure dating, aided by mapping and sedimentological examination of terrace deposits, is used to constrain the timing of events in this history. Fill-cut and strath terraces at elevations 10, 20, and 50 m above the modern river yield cosmogenic exposure ages of approximately 130, 610, and 955 ka, respectively, but uncertainties on these ages are not well-constrained. This translates to a long-term average incision rate of 43 m/my, which is comparable to rates measured elsewhere in the Appalachians. During specific intervals over the last 1 Ma, however, the New River's incision rate reached 97 m/my. Fluctuations between aggradation and rapid incision appear to be related to late Cenozoic climate variations, though uncertainties in modeled ages preclude direct correlation of these fluctuations to specific climate change events. Erosion rates on higher alluvial deposits adjacent to the river are estimated from 10-Be concentrations; these rates are very low, about 2 m/my or less. This demonstrates a disequilibrium in the modern landscape, with river incision greatly outpacing erosion from nearby landforms. / Master of Science

A model of the trophic dynamics among key macroinvertebrate and fish populations in the New River, West Virginia, was developed to help define the roles of predation, competition, and fishery exploitation in the food web of this large, warmwater stream. The fates of production of the harvested crayfish (Orconectes virilis, Orconectes sanbornii sanbornii, and Cambarus sciotensis), hellgrammite (Corydalus cornutus larvae), smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui), rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris), and flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) populations were quantified to evaluate the status of these stocks and to aid specification of the model. Analysis and application of the model were designed to address three research objectives, which were to (1) quantify the roles that predation, competition, and exploitation have in structuring the prey-predator assemblage, (2) evaluate through simulation the effects of multispecies exploitation, and (3) assess through simulation the impacts to the food web of reductions in aquatic insect production associated with the systematic control of black fly larvae in the New River. The trophic basis of production of smallmouth bass, rock bass, and flathead catfish was primarily aquatic insects (in young fishes) and crayfish (in older fishes). Hellgrammites and prey fishes were inconsequential in that regard. Predation by these fishes (primarily smallmouth bass and rock bass) accounted for 76% of the production of ages-1 and -2 crayfish, and harvest by people was equivalent to 5% of crayfish production. Fish predation (primarily by rock bass) and harvest accounted for 14% and 8%, respectively, of the annual production of ages-1 and -2 hellgrammites. Anglers harvested the equivalents of about 91% and 12% of the annual production of fully-recruited smallmouth bass and rock bass, respectively; the extent of flathead catfish harvest was unclear. Error analysis of the model suggested that “bottom-up" (food-limitation) effects were more important than “top-down" (mortality from predation) effects, interspecific and intraspecific competition, and exploitation in maintaining the structure of the prey-predator assemblage in the New River. Exploitation was important in causing transitions in assemblage structure. Simulations of multispecies exploitation demonstrated that production and yield of populations are strongly dependent on food web interactions. Simulation of a 50% reduction in aquatic insect production, similar to that observed following poisoning of black fly Iarvae, predicted substantial declines in insectivores and their predators. Management of New River resources for maxi- mum benefits to people will necessarily involve new approaches to addressing problems in a food web context. / Ph. D.

Since the dawn of industrialization, many authoritarian regimes have taken on massive public works projects which seem impressive or farfetched. Few onlookers are surprised when these projects are not completed or are completed at such a high cost that they appear to be an exercise in futility. Usually these failures are written off as dictatorial incompetence and overambition, but the initial motivations for beginning them are rarely addressed. This paper will argue that, rather than being a symptom of precipitant development or front for embezzlement, many of these projects were designed to fail because the regime received the largest benefit by starting them—not by completing them. Empirically this research will focus on the Toshka ‘New River Valley’ project in Egypt, which is Egypt’s largest development project and is designed to create a second Nile River Valley in the South and eventually be home to 20% of the Egypt’s population. In this report I explore the governments’ motivations, their intentions, the resulting symbolism and the repercussions of the Toshka project. / text

Thesis (M.S.)--University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 48-49)

Studies were conducted with the Asiatic clam, Corbicula fluminea, that examined seasonal periodicities in spawning, body condition, and percent tissue water content. In addition, responses of adults to brief (24 hr) and extended (30 d) periods of exposure to toxicants were investigated. These studies addressed the valve closure behavioral response by adults exposed to chlorine, cadmium, and zinc; the effects of these pollutants and temperature on the levels of metal binding protein in adults; and the efficacy of halogens ( chlorine and bromine) in providing acceptable levels of Asiatic clam biofouling control. Spawning periodicity of C. fluminea was monitored weekly for 8 months in 1984. Observations revealed that spawning occurred on three distinct occasions with peaks in release of veligers in June, August, and October. Percent tissue water content and body condition were monitored monthly in 1985. Significant differences in these parameters were observed among certain months and among size classes. Tissue water content and body condition in the largest individuals were inversely related. Periods of activity (valves parted) and quiescence (valves closed) were determined in the absence and presence of toxicants by continuously monitoring valve movement patterns. Data indicate that the duration of activity periods and toxicant exposure concentration are inversely related. Application of these observations to efforts to control Asiatic clam fouling in industrial water lines resulted in a reduction in the total levels of molluscicide required. Exposure of clams to low levels of chlorine (0. 25 mg/L total residual chlorine) induced valve closure that resulted in weakened clams after two weeks that were more susceptible to increased levels of chlorine. The levels of a metallothionein-like metal binding protein (MBP) in tissues of Q. fluminea following exposure to metal and non-metal stressors were also assessed. In general, exposure to dissolved cadmium resulted in significantly greater levels of MBP than either dissolved zinc, chlorine, or temperature extremes (4°, 30°C). Analysis of individual organ groups demonstrated an inverse relationship between sites of MBP synthesis ( gills, mantle, and adductor muscles versus visceral mass) and mode of exposure to cadmium (dissolved versus food associated). / Ph. D.

The effectiveness of a guide training program was evaluated as a means of providing interpretive services to commercial boaters at the New River Gorge National River. Commercial river guides attended a National Park Service sponsored training program which provided accurate information and education concerning natural and cultural history of the New River, the national significance of the New River Gorge National River, the history and purpose of the National Park Service, and information and services available at the visitor centers. The emphasis of the training session was to increase the river guides’ knowledge base and to encourage their interpretive presentation of this information to their customers. Customers of a commercial outfitter were administered a questionnaire before and after the guide training program. Significant differences in the amount of interpretation guides presented on the river, the amount of knowledge customers acquired during the trip, and the customers' overall trip rating were noted by empirical testing. Increases in the means of all three outcome variables occurred following guide training. Customers’ intentions to visit a New River Gorge Visitor Center did not significantly change following guide training. The validity and reliability of the instrument is discussed as well as potential biases and constraints of the study. Implications for management and further research are also discussed. / M.S.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Quality of Life~Contribution Model (QOLC) developed by Murrell and Norris (19S3) as a mental health needs assessment technique for the rural elderly. In this field survey method, measures of mental health areas and program targets within each mental health area are compared and prioritized according to their relative contributions to a subjective index of quality-of-life (QOL). An in-home survey of 60 older adults was conducted. Needs were defined in terms of problems, services, and community support and were measured across the following mental health areas: 1) Depression; 2) Organic Brain Syndrome; 3) Alcohol and Drug Abuse; 4) Anxiety; 5) Caregiver Problems; 6) Schizophrenia; and 7) Health Habits. The utility of the QOLC model was evaluated via the descriptive conclusions generated by multiple regression analysis of the sample survey data, with QOL as the dependent variable and the different need measures and mental health areas as the independent variables. A cost analysis was also completed comparing the net total cost of the QOLC with the hypothesized net total cost of a more traditional mental health needs assessment (consisting of a key informant plus a service use statistics component). The results suggest that although the QOLC mental health needs assessment costs more than simpler needs assessment techniques, it can yield important information that can prevent wasteful spending on increased direct mental health services and can also be used to determine the criteria that should be used to segment the target population. / Master of Science