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<br />23 <br /> <br />called upland channels; 2) tho"e that extend up to the cliffs are <br /> <br />called cliff channels; 3) those that originate on the piedmont are <br /> <br />.- <br />W called piedmont channels; 4) those that are tributaries to any of the <br />-.J <br />.... first three types and originate on the piedmont are called tributary- <br /> <br />basin channels; 5) those that are smaller tributaries within the tribu- <br /> <br />tary basins are called tributary channels; and 6) those that are <br /> <br />formed on the hillslope s are called rills. <br /> <br />Channel and basin development appear to be analogous to rill <br /> <br />formation. The similarities between these channels and the erosional <br /> <br />development of rills were readily identified based on "tudies conducted <br /> <br />by Mosley (1972). Conclusions offered by Mosley that are pertinent <br /> <br />to this analogy are: 1) rills are formed by recession of knickpoints <br /> <br />or headward erosion; 2) larger catchments are relatively more elongated <br /> <br />than smaller catchments; 3) rill drainage density is lower in larger <br /> <br />basins; and 4) rills are roughly parallel on straight slopes, and they, <br /> <br />converge on concave slopes. <br /> <br />Rills in the Mancos Shale badlands have been studied by several <br /> <br />author", including Schumm (1964), Lusby, et al. (1971), Howard <br />\ <br /> <br />(1972), and Sunday (1979). However, the analogy between rill develop- <br /> <br />ment and the overall channel system has not been made. The analogy <br /> <br />is important in that it indicates that the surface of the piedmont is <br /> <br />relatively steep and that rill-type erosion is the dominant erosional <br /> <br />process in the area. <br /> <br />Rills identify locations of rapid erosion. Since the area is com- <br /> <br />posed of channels that appear to have the same genetic character of <br /> <br />rills, the analogy between the channel system and rills, in terms of <br /> <br />rapid erosion, can be inferred. <br /> <br />Therefore, whereas rills have been <br /> <br />---:=, <br /> <br />.1 <br />