118 J. D. Dana—Phenomena of the Champlain Period. 
bordering terrace and terrace fronts are a consequence of loss, 
on either side, of velocity in the transporting waters resulting — 
in deposition. a 
2.) Depressions from surface drainage-—Of the depressions 
which look as if referable to surface-drainage, two are of spe- 
cial interest. These are Hast Creek and West Creek, east and — 
terraces for nearly half a mile from the bay, and the latter of © 
the creeks admitted the ships of the early colonists for half 
that distance ;* but under city grading both creeks have disap- 
_ peared, and the channels are fast becoming obliterated. The ~ 
terraces, and certain features common to both soon to be stated, 
lead to the conclusion that they may have a long history, evel 
antedating the existence of the plain, and are only in some 
later modifications a result of surface-drainage. 
(3.) The low-lerrace area.—This area, as the larger map shows 
—by the heights given on it and a band of shading—extends — 
from the bay and West Creek valley northeastward over the 
lower half of the central square of New Haven and onward 
for a mile up the west side of Mill River, and also over a smal — 
region east of the southern part of this stream. In height the 
terrace is 15 to 20 feet below the normal upper terrace. VP 
glancing over this area on the map (Plate I) and _ noting its < 
relations to Mill River channel, it is manifest that it is simply 
the area of a low Mill River terrace ;.and the facts show that. 
its existence was determined by the velocity of the waters — 
during the flood ; that it lies where the depth of scour was t00 — 
great for the building up of the terrace-deposits to their NOT — 
mal height, or that of the New Haven plain elsewhere. Part 
of the evidence consists in the exceedingly coarse, la aly 
cobble-stone, character of the underlying gravel. 
The direc- : 
tion of the band of coarsest gravel indicates that Mill River fol- 
lowed a nearly straight course from Whitneyville to the head — 
of the Bay, this being one of the numberless examples of & 
straight cut made in rivers by the great flood. 
e low terrace is henee one of the phenomena manifesting — 
the power and influence of Mill River. 
(4.) The long depressions resembling fragments of former river 
channels.—These channel:like depressions are called the Bae EL 
Pond Meadows and Pine Marsh Creek. Their location is give? iL 5 
both maps, and their special features on the larger one, Plate * — 
As there seen, they stretch southward through the middle pare 
*The yessels came to anchor at what is now the corner of Congress Ave 
and Oak Street. 
