Florence Valley : An Abandoned Stream Valley, Florence Township, Erie County, Ohio

An abandoned stream valley, here called Florence Valley, was found in eastern Erie County, Ohio. Florence Valley is about one mile long and connects the valleys of Chappel Creek and the Vermilion River. There is evidence that Florence Valley was formed as a result of the capture of a tributary of the Vermilion River by Chappel Creek. Chappel Creek, at the junction of Florence Valley and the valley of Chappel Creek, has a rightangled bend, which displays morphology characteristic of an "elbow-of-capture." The gradient of the eastern two-thirds of Florence Valley slopes toward the Vermilion River. Because the Vermilion River is more deeply entrenched than is Chappel Creek, this stream capture must have taken place at a time when the base level was at a higher elevation, when Chappel Creek had a shorter course and steeper gradient than did the Vermilion River. These conditions are believed to have existed during the time of Lake Maumee III. An abandoned stream valley was found south of the village of Florence by the junior author, while mapping soils in Erie County. Subsequent study by both authors revealed the history leading to its abandonment. This valley lies between Manuscript received April 29, 1966. THE OHIO JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 70(6): 341, November, 1970.