506 JS. D. Dana—The overflows of the flooded Connecticut. 
Distance south Height above Height above 
of the Divide. flood-leve mean sea-level. 
Seve oo 84 miles. 115 feet. 275 feet. 
prmisburys. i. y ees _ = 
Farmington Station.22 “ ees 254“ 
Plainville 26 sas > cua” 
Southington ___-___- 304 * 16. * ang 
The facts show that the flood had a height over the South- 
wick divide of at least 270 feet; that this level was kept up 
as far south as Tarifville and Simsbury by the inflow of the 
flooded Farmington; that south of Simsbury the decline in 
height was very gradual; and that even at Plainville, where the 
flat valley spreads to a great width, the terrace was made to a 
height but little lower than the plain at the divide. At Tarif- 
ville, the Farmington is reached and here the waters from 
Westfield joined those of that river. 
The high level at Tarifville and Simsbury is very remarkable, 
considering the open cut through the Divide Range by which 
the stream now enters the Connecticut valley, and the fact that 
the terrace-plain east of the range is full 50 feet lower than 
that west. But the cut is not 100 yards wide; and, besides, 1t 
may have been filled with drift from the glacier (as was the 
Niagara channel), and the removal of the obstruction have not 
begun until the flood had reached its height. — : 
eaching Plainville, the waters left the present Farmington 
River area, to enter the Quinnipiac; for there was nothing to 
. prevent, all being one plain below; and a Farmington valley 
terrace 49 feet high continues southward as the terrace of the 
Quinnipiac. Thence they went down the Quinnipiac Valley to 
ew Haven Bay. 
Where the Quinnipiac River, ten miles from its source, below 
Southington, commences to bend out of the valley, 
waters joined Mill River—no impediment existing there in hills 
or ridges; and the upper terrace of the Quinnipiac continuing 
on down Mill River. 
Thus the flooded Farmington, swollen still farther by waters 
from the Westfield overflow, occupied ( Sa 
Valley from the Southwick divide to the Sound; and the flooc 
discharged into New Haven Bay by two of its streams, Quinn 
piae and Mill Rivers. 
It is a misfortune to the State of Connecticut that the Farm- 
ington River did not take advantage of the opportunity a 
orded to dig a channel deep enough to ensure its permane? 
flow to New Haven; since, with such a river, the 
have made one of the best harbors on the New England coa 
Station at about 210 feet above mean sea-level. The terrace corso 
is on the east side of the i Vv oy ee rage 
