GLACIAL WATERS FROM ONEIDA TO LITTLE FALLS 



INTRODUCTION 



This writing is in continuation of the article published in the 

 20th annual report of the New York state geologist [20th report, 

 1900, p. 112-30], and describes the succession and the work of 

 waters held by the glacier in the valleys of Oneida, Oriskany and 

 Sauquoit creeks and the Mohawk river. The phenomena were 

 earlier in time than those described in the 21st annual report 

 [21st report, 1901, p. 33-47]. 



The district is entirely beyond the territory invaded by Lake 

 Warren [see p. rlO-13 and pi. 1], though the earlier phenomena 

 were contemporaneous with 1he Warren waters in the western 

 part of the State. 



The later glacial waters in these valleys found ultimate escape 

 down the Mohawk valley, but in their flow past the ice front 

 they cut channels or benches across the ridges between the 

 valleys. The territory including these features is all mapped 

 in the Oneida, Oriskany, Utica and Little Falls sheets of the 

 New York State topographic map and is partly shown in plate 2. 



The earliest waters in the valleys which we are to discuss 

 were forced by the glacier into southward overflow across the 

 divide to Susquehanna drainage. These primitive glacial lakes 

 will be described first. 



GLACIAL. LAKES 



Cowaselon lake 



This glacial lake preceded the creek of that name in the 

 valley west of West Stockbridge hill, covering the site of 

 Merrillsville under 400 feet of water. In its higher phase, it 

 was a part of the lake next to be described, as its waters were 

 confluent with those in the Oneida valley. Oneida creek heads 

 west of the Cowaselon valley and curves around past the head 

 of the latter, so that the col or divide at the head of Cowaselon 

 valley does not lead to southern drainage but into Oneida 

 drainage. The highest altitude of the Cowaselon water was 

 therefore the same as the higher Oneida waters, about 1170 feet. 

 With the earlier falling of the Oneida waters the Cowaselon 

 lake might have had the altitude of its own col, 1120 feet. The 



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