Geometric Correlations Between Mid-Channel Islands in the Oswegatchie River (2025)

The formation, location, and geometry of islands in the Oswegatchie River, correlated with the distance from the mouth, channel width, and island size, demonstrate that island shapes reflect their location in the channel. The Oswegatchie River begins at Partlow Lake, in the Adirondack Park, and flows north to Ogdensburg, where it merges with the St. Lawrence River. Using Google Earth, we were able to remotely calculate an island’s geometry based on channel width, island width, surface area, position relative to the left and right bank, and distance from the river’s mouth. Data show that as you move upstream island width and length decreases. We expected to see a decrease in surface area size consistent with the channel distance moving upstream, however, there is no consistent pattern leaving us with a shotgun pattern.