Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
In the College Woods Trail System (CWTS) slope is the most significant factor acting on trail condition because water erosion leads to soil loss, which leads to the exposure of roots and to the formation of gullies. In many sections of trail, geology is not independent of slope, which makes it difficult to determine how significant geology is, but the fitness trail shows that slope is more significant in shaping trail conditions than geology. The thin understory of the College Woods does not prevent trail users from going off trail, but the Loblolly Pine needles do protect the trail surface in areas where the trees dominate. The affect of trail user types on trail condition was difficult to determine but frequency of use was found to be a very significant factor. Increased trail use removes more of the protective vegetation from the surface of the trail and increases the amount of overland flow and rainwater splash that occurs during storm events. The impact of these degrading factors can be reduced by decreasing the amount of users a trail gets per hour and by establishing a managerial staff to monitor the conditions of the trail and make repairs when necessary. Future degradation problems can be avoided by constructing trails with slopes less than 10 degrees, decreasing the amount of users, and increasing the amount of trail repair.
Date Awarded
2002
Department
Geology
Advisor 1
Gregory S. Hancock
Recommended Citation
McKinney, Ryan Scott, "Factors that Control Trail Conditions in the College Woods" (2002). Geology Senior Theses. William & Mary. Paper 100.
https://scholarworks.wm.edu/geologyseniors/100
