GLACIAL WATERS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK 



II 



The chronologic order of the glacial stream flow seems to have 

 been as follows, at least in its general sequence. The eastern chan- 

 nels were opened successively to the westward, that is from Little 

 Falls and Utica westward to Syracuse, thus permitting eastward 

 flow to the Mohawk valley. During the same time the waters in 

 the Erie basin were invading eastward thus allowing westward flow 

 toward the Mississippi [see titles 31,37]. The waning of the ice front 

 on the west finally permitted westward flow at Bataviaas low as 900 

 feet (Lake Hall), while the ice barrier at Syracuse was yet higher. 

 Later the ice front at Syracuse gave way and all the waters lying 

 east of Batavia and under 900 feet (Lake Vanuxem) were drained 

 eastward to the Mohawk, and the channels emphasized in this 

 writing were then cut. Subsequently a readvance of the glacier 

 in the vicinity of Syracuse and a recession north of Batavia let the 

 Erian waters (Lake Warren) into central New York. Finally 

 another and last recession of the ice at Syracuse permitted low 

 eastward flow and the Warren and hypo-Warren waters were 

 lowered to Lake Iroquois. 



The above is only an outline of the main events in the history 

 and is probably inadequate. At least this sequence of ice reces- 

 sion and readvance seem requisite in order to explain the facts as 

 known at present, but it is possible that the oscillations of the ice 

 front in New York were greater in number and the whole history 

 more complicated than is here outlined, and that important events 

 occurred which are not yet even suspected. Some of the puzzling 

 features which suggest complications will be noted later, specially 

 in description of the phenomena in the Split Rock and Syracuse 

 districts. 



DETAILED DESCRIPTION 



Batavia to Genesee valley 



The earliest and highest of this series of ice border drainage 

 channels heads northeast of Leroy on the Onondaga (Corniferous) 

 limestone, at 800 feet altitude. The map, plate 2, shows the 

 stronger or more definite scourways. The later and lower channels 

 head in faint scourways 4 to 6 miles northwest of Leroy, beginning 

 in drift but soon cutting down through the thin edge of the lime- 

 stone into the underlying Salina shales [pi. 6]. 



The higher channels east of Leroy swing southeast, up the 

 Genesee valley, while the later channels keep an eastward course. 

 This change in direction of the channels indicates that a lobation 



