RESURVEY OF THE CAVES IN THE CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

In compliance with the Federal Cave Resource Protection Act a full cartographic survey of all cave passages within the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park was undertaken between July 2011 and July 2012. This survey improved the quality of cave cartography as well as updating the biologic, geologic and cultural inventory of these resources. Eighty percent of all caves in the park are found within the Cambro-Ordovician limestones of the Great Valley physiographic province; all caves are located in Washington County, Maryland.

Eighteen caves and mines were surveyed. Cave maps complied with National Park Service standards (NPS RM-77). An additional 156 m of passage were discovered, raising the park total to 885 m of passages (a 21% increase). Two formations contained 67% of all passage lengths: the Conococheague limestone (327 m and 37%) and the Rockdale Run limestone (871 m and 30%).

Caves within the canal exhibited interesting geological features including speleothems, surficial tufa deposits and unusual cave passage morphology. Cultural artifacts were observed, including Civil War army signatures and the remains of limestone mining operations. All survey trips were conducted in compliance with USFWS White Nose Syndrome decontamination standards, including a voluntary moratorium on all in-cave activity between November 2011 and March 2012.

Three dimensional computer projection of cave survey data illustrates how cave development depends on preferential strata, particularly in steeply dipping to vertical beds. In vertical beds narrow passages along strike predominate. In horizontal beds wide passages are possible. Projection of cave survey data also illustrates the sudden changes in passage dimensions in heterogenetic strata developed along strike. Combined computerized cave survey data with and detailed LIDAR topographical data, indicated the likelihood of the connectivity of nearby cave systems.