Abstract

Literature pertaining to southcentral New York State Catherine, Cayuta, and Catatonk Creek drainage system origins was reviewed to determine if and how researchers have applied the method of multiple working hypotheses. Published reports rarely mention the use of multiple working hypotheses although collectively reports published since the late 19^th century suggest or at least imply that numerous working hypotheses have been considered. Topographic maps available when most published reports were written were studied to identify landform features the published reports do not address. Missing from the collective list of suggested or implied working hypotheses was any mention of a working hypothesis based on map evidence that suggests the Odessa-Van Etten through valley eroded headward across a large southwest-oriented anastomosing channel complex and that the Van Etten-Candor through valley eroded headward across a large south-oriented anastomosing channel complex. Also, the literature review found few researchers appear to have seriously considered the possibility that deep continental icesheet erosion might have created the Finger Lakes region’s north-oriented slope or the possibility that immense meltwater floods may have deposited glacial deposits that now blanket the Catherine, Cayuta, and Catatonk Creek drainage basin region. The range of working hypotheses being seriously considered needs to be expanded to include possible impacts of deep continental icesheet erosion and of immense meltwater floods if the Catherine, Cayuta, and Catatonk Creek drainage basin geomorphic history is to be properly determined.

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