Topography
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The topography of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NHP) includes steep slopes, high cliffs, and flat floodplains. If you walk up to Jefferson Rock just above town and look downstream, you’ll see the double water gaps cut by the Potomac through the middle of two quartzite ridges—a sight famously beloved by Thomas Jefferson. While the topography creates beautiful vistas for us to enjoy, it also creates multiple microclimates and habitats for natural communities.
Harpers Ferry NHP’s dramatic topography is a result of several factors, including the erosive power of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers and the fact that different kinds of bedrock erode at different rates. (See Geology for more about how the topography came to be.)
Map tip: To see topography on the interactive map of Harpers Ferry NHP, turn on the Contour Lines layer and zoom in as necessary.
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Highs and Lows
The highest point in Harpers Ferry NHP is 1,455 feet (443.5 meters), on Maryland Heights near the Stone Fort overlook.
The lowest point in the park is 220 feet (67 meters), along the Potomac at the most downstream part of the park.
The Three “Heights”
Among the steep slopes, there are three “heights” in Harpers Ferry NHP: Maryland Heights, Loudoun Heights, and Bolivar Heights.
Maryland Heights and Loudoun Heights are parts of the same quartzite ridge, separated by a gap carved by the combined forces of the Potomac and Shenandoah. The two rivers converge at the town of Harpers Ferry. To the north of the town and the convergence, the quartzite ridge is called Maryland Heights. It stretches away to the north-northeast. On the south side of the convergence, the ridge is called Loudoun Heights and stretches away to the south-southwest.
As its name suggests, Maryland Heights is in Maryland, with the Potomac forming the state line. Loudoun Heights is the boundary between Virginia and West Virginia. The town of Harpers Ferry lies in West Virginia.
Maryland Heights is the highest part of the park, and as such played an important role in the Civil War. Loudoun Heights, although lower in elevation, also saw Civil War action. Both Maryland Heights and Loudoun were substantially cleared of forests during the war. 1
Bolivar Heights, in West Virginia between the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is only about half as tall as Maryland Heights. Even so, it towers above the town of Harpers Ferry, which lies on the low ground by the rivers.
Microclimates and Topography
Topography influences plant communities in many ways. Most important, landforms affect sun exposure, temperature, and moisture, creating distinct microclimates.
Ecobit: How Topography Creates Microclimates
Concave and Convex Slopes in Harpers Ferry NHP
Concave slopes are gently hollowed out like a bowl. They tend to accumulate soil, moisture, and nutrients. Convex slopes are rounded like a ball. They tend to shed soil and nutrients, creating infertile conditions.