SOME RIVERS OF CONNECTICUT.^ 



Outline. — Introduction. — Topography of Connecticut : The upland plateau, its origin, 

 date, elevation, valleys sunk beneath its surface. — Lowland on the Triassic area. 

 — Later oscillations. — Resume of the topography. — Early drainage. — Re-adjusted 

 streams. — Revived streams. — Unconformable rivers, consequent or superim- 

 posed. — Pleistocene changes; the Farmington, Quinnipiac, Scantic. — Aban- 

 doned gaps. 



bitroduction. In order to study intelligently the history of a 

 river, one must first become acquainted with the present physi- 

 cal geography of the region in which the river lies, and know 

 the stages of its development. Therefore, before classifying the 

 rivers of Connecticut, I shall consider the topography of the 

 state, and in a few paragraphs outline the successive cycles in 

 the history of its growth. The scope of this article will not per- 

 mit a discussion or even a full statement of the evidence on 

 which these conclusions are based. They have been stated at 

 considerable length by Professor W. M. Davis, ^ and the reader 

 is referred to his papers for the complete discussion. His con- 

 clusions in respect to the physical geography are accepted here 

 without question, and form the basis for the discussion on the 

 rivers of the state. 



Topography of Co?mecticut. Connecticut can be said to con- 

 sist of two great areas quite distinct in topography and geologic 

 structure.3 On the east and on the west are the crystalline 

 uplands which rise from sea level along the Sound to 1,700 and 

 1,800 feet in the northwestern part of the state, and to 600 

 and 700 feet in the northeastern. These uplands consist chiefly 



' The author desires to express his obligation to Professor W. M. Davis for aid in 

 the preparation of this article. It was first written under his direction and with the 

 help of his suggestions when the author was in the graduate school of Harvard Uni- 

 versity. Prof. Davis is not responsible, however, for the statement of the views herein 

 advanced, although in general it is believed that he is in accord with them. 



^ Amer. Jour. Sci. 3d sen, vol. xxxvii, 1889, p. 423. Bull. Geol. Soc. Amer., vol. 

 'i, P- 545- 



371 



