[COLEMAN] THE DRIFT OF ALBERTA IP 



The magnificent series of terraces west of Calgary i ouses the interest 

 of travellers as they enter the foothills along the Bow valley. Terraces 

 have been noted at the following points between Calgary and Morley: 



Elevation 



Calgary 3,438 



Mile 51/2 



Mile 6 



Mile 7.7 (Ry. over Bow river) 3,506 



Keith 3,553 



Miles 13-14-15 



Glenbow (mile 18) 3,620 



Mile 20 



Cochrane 3,749 



Mile 24 



(2nd CrosFino- of Bow river al)oiit panio level) 



Mile 32 



Radnor 3,885 



Radnor also 3,905 



Mile 37 



Morley 4,067 



There are at least twelve distinct terraces with a total rise of over 

 600 feet in the 40 miles, and there are higher ones closer to the moun- 

 tains. 



The earlier of these water levels were formed probably while the 

 Keewatin ice was at almost its farthest extension, and only the lowest 

 of them indicate lakes of mucii size, or perhaps rather westward bays of 

 a wide lake extending to the ice front on the plains. It was only at the 

 lowest levels that ice floes or bergs dropped Archaean stones on the 

 terraces. These stones become common both east and north of Calgary 

 as shown before, and north of Wetaskiwin on the Edmonton railway 

 a sand and gravel terrace may be a shore deposit of some stage of the 

 great lakes. 



No characteristic beach deposits were seen west of Edmonton, but 

 McLeod river is bordered by terraces which may represent water levels of 

 such a lake, or may only be due to the post-glacial deepening of its 

 channel. 



The Athabasca river presents fine terraces on each side of its wido 

 valley as one approaches the mountains, though not as numerous nor 

 perfect as those of Bow valley. 



The highest level is somewhat irregular and uneven, and may not 

 be lacustrine; but lower terraces at 3,445 and 3,255 feet, are clearly 

 water formed, consisting of stratified sand and gravel. 



