Latitudinal trends in morphology of tributaries of the Connecticut River in the Northeastern US

Latitudinal patterns in catchment size, specific discharge, channel width, and channel steepness were evaluated using conventional GIS techniques and aerial imagery for selected major tributaries of the south-flowing Connecticut River along its ca. 400-km length in the Northeastern US. All rivers studied have drainage areas in excess of 250 sq.km and lengths in excess of 25 km. We find that average specific stream discharge and overall relief of individual tributary channels are approximately uniform along the length of the Connecticut. In contrast, length and the average value of the ratio of channel width-to-basin width of individual tributary rivers diminish, and average channel steepness increases to statistically significant degrees with distance north. Spatial trends are interpreted as a geomorphic response to previously-documented, non-uniform rates of isostatic rebound in excess of landscape lowering during the last 15 Ka.