WVGES-NPS Bedrock Mapping

Mapping National Park Service Lands in West Virginia

The West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey (WVGES) has been contracted by the Geologic Resources Division of the National Parks Service (NPS) to map the surficial and bedrock geology of three NPS units in southern West Virginia: Bluestone National Scenic River, Gauley River National Recreation Area, and New River Gorge National River. WVGES geologists along with professors and students from Concord University and West Virginia University are producing digital surficial and bedrock geologic maps and geodatabases. Bedrock geology is being mapped for the three park units and the fourteen United States Geological Survey (USGS) 7½-minute topographic quadrangles they are contained within. Surficial geology will be mapped solely within the park boundaries of the three park units. This project will provide NPS with the necessary geologic information to help make scientifically sound resource management decisions. The areas surrounding these park units are relatively accessible to the urban East Coast and Midwest and are developing rapidly. Detailed geologic mapping will also provide new geologic information to local land-use planners and developers to aid in managing future growth in the area.

Information on the maps and geodatabases will be added to this page as they are completed. Please contact Publication Sales if you have any questions about availability.

Bedrock Map of the Gauley River National Recreation Area

Examine the WVGES Publications Catalog (OF1001) for ordering information for this Open File Report (OF1001, Gauley River National Recreation Area Bedrock Geologic Map).

Gauley River National Recreation Area Bedrock Geologic Map:
Ansted and Summersville Dam 7.5' Quadrangles, West Virginia

Paula J. Hunt, Keri L. Wilson, Jane S. McColloch, and Gayle H. McColloch
Digital Cartography and Map Compilation by Sarah E. Gooding
West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey
2010
Publication OF1001

Digital data for the map are available from the National Park Service free of charge.

This map of the bedrock geology in and around the National Park Service's Gauley River National Recreation Area covers the Ansted and Summersville Dam 7½-minute United States Geological Survey topographic quadrangles in Nicholas and Fayette counties, West Virginia. This area is located in the relatively horizontal to gently folded rocks of the Appalachian Plateau physiographic province. The Meadow and Gauley Rivers have exposed massive sandstone cliffs in their valley walls. Rock units exposed at the surface in the map area are assigned to the Lower Pennsylvanian New River Formation, Lower and Middle Pennsylvanian Kanawha Formation, and the Middle Pennsylvanian Allegheny Formation. Bedrock consists of interbedded sandstones, siltstones, shales, and coals. Carnifex Ferry State Park and the Army Corps. of Engineers' Summersville Lake and Dam are also located in the map area.

Bedrock Map of the Bluestone National Scenic River

New publication! Examine the WVGES Publications Catalog (OF1101) for ordering information for this Open File Report. (OF1101, Bedrock Geologic Map of the Bluestone National Scenic River).

Bedrock Geologic Map of the Bluestone National Scenic River,
Flat Top and Pipestem 7.5' Quadrangles, West Virginia

David L. Matchen
Joseph L. Allen
Robert L. Peck
David Mercier
Concord College

Digital Cartography and Map Compilation by Sarah E. Gooding and Paula J. Hunt
West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey

2011
Publication OF1101

Digital data for the map are available from the National Park Service free of charge.

This map of the bedrock geology in and around the National Park Service's Bluestone National Scenic River covers the Flat Top and Pipestem 7½-minute United States Geological Survey topographic quadrangles in Summers, Mercer, and Raleigh counties, West Virginia. The spectacular scenery of the Bluestone River Gorge is the result of erosion through the Princeton and Glady Fork Sandstones. Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park, and a portion of Camp Creek State Park are also located in the map area.