THE UPPER OR HERMAN BEACHES. 297 



eastward from this point, the first observations ot the n])])('r l)eaeh were in 

 Waukon, Sundal, and Garfield townships. 



Tliis beach is intersected by the Wild Rice River near the middle of 

 Fosuni, and thenc-e it passes north-northwesterly throngh the west part of 

 Waukon. In sections 7 and (!, Waukon, it is a low, smooth ridge- of g-i-avel 

 and sand about 25 rods wide, rising 6 to 10 feet. In the west half of tins 

 section G and in section 36, Sundal, the old Pembina trail lies on it. 



About 2 miles west of the upper beach, a ^econdary Herman l)eaeh, of 

 similar material and contour, ])robably 20 feet lower, was observed a few 

 rods east of the stake at the middle of the noi"th side of section 14, Strand, 

 having a height of (i to <S feet above its base, with a smaller ridge of sand 

 and gravel, 3 feet high aliove its base, close west of this stake. Again, a 

 half mile farther west, in the northeast corner of section 15, Strand, another 

 Herman beach, probably 10 feet below the last, was noted, having a height 

 of 4 or 5 feet above its base. 



Traveling northwestward along- the Pembina trail, tlie ujjper beach 

 ridge was not distinctly observed after lea^dng section 36, Sundal, until it 

 is again occupied by the trail in section 9 of this township. The interven- 

 ing 3 miles are flat and nearly level. Probably the beach, less noticeable 

 than usual, lies within a half mile or 1 mile east of the trail here. In the 

 eastern part of section 9 this beach is about 25 rods wide, rising 5 feet 

 from its east side, and descending 10 feet to its western base, which was 

 the margin of Lake Agassiz. 



Thence the upper beach extends nearly due north tlirough the east 

 edge of section 4, Sundal, and section 33, Garfield. In the east edge of 

 the southeast quarter of section 28 and the west edge of the northwest 

 quarter of section 27, Garfield, it is a typical ridge of gravel and sand, 

 with its crest 1,166 to 1,173 feet above the sea. Tliere is a gradual descent 

 toward the west. The depression on the east is a sixth to a fourth of a 

 mile wide, sinking 6 to 10 feet below the beach. Fartlier eastward the 

 land is moderately undulating till, rising 20 to 30 feet above the beach and 

 bearing frequent groves of small poplars, bur oak, and canoe birch. 



Water in the Sand Hill River at the ford of the old Pembina trail, in 

 the west part of section 28, Garfield, ordinary low stage, July 2(j, 1881, 

 1,071 feet. 



