Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, Washington Section ... · Title: Ice Age Floods National...
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Palouse Falls 2 Dry Falls 3 Beacon Rock 4 White Bluffs Touchet beds 5 Seep Lakes 6 Ginkgo Petrified Forest 7 Basalt columns 8 Ripple marks 9 Cape Disappointment 10 Grand Coulee Dam 24 Vineyards in eastern Washington 23 Wheat harvest and wind turbine 22 Native Americans fishing at Celilo Falls (now inundated by Lake Celilo) 21 Petroglyphs at Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park 20 Geologists collecting rock samples above Lake Roosevelt 19 Basalt columns in the Channeled Scablands (left) compared with basalt columns on Mars (right) 18 Bull elk 14 Wildflowers above Palouse Falls 15 White pelican at Hanford Reach 16 Sockeye salmon 17 Bird watching 12 Boating and fishing on the Yakima River 11 Hiking below Dry Falls 13 Palouse River Canyon 1 C o l u m b i a R i v e r During the last ice age, between 12 and 17,000 years ago, glaciers covered much of northern Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The ice was miles thick in places. Portions of the glaciers repeatedly blocked large river drainages, forming ice dams. Lakes formed behind the ice dams, growing to small inland seas rivaling the size of the Great Lakes. The largest of these glacial lakes was Glacial Lake Missoula in what is now Montana. The lake was approximately 2,500 feet deep in places and extended over 3,000 square miles. It held as much water as about half of Lake Michigan. When the ice dam burst, all of the water suddenly drained in a matter of days, surging over Idaho, eastern Washington, and Oregon. The vast amount of water moving over a very short period of time carved the deeply scoured terrain that forms much of the dramatic landscape we see today. In the aftermath of the initial flood, the process of river blockage, ice-dam lake formation, and catastrophic release occurred repeatedly. Evidence suggests that there could have been as many as 100 separate floods at intervals of about every 50 years. The features it created are colossal. The water plucked giant columns out of the basalt, created smoothed mesas and giant potholes, and formed ripple marks between 15 and 30 feet tall. Collectively, this landscape is called the Channeled Scablands. The floods left behind many other distinctive features, such as, buttes, coulees, and flood bars. “Our Shared Geoheritage” “Geoheritage is the collection of natural wonders, landforms, and resources that have formed over eons and come to this generation to manage, use, and conserve effectively. Geoheritage locations are valued for many reasons including: scientific, economic, ecological, education, cultural, aesthetic, artistic, and recreational purposes.” – American Geosciences Institute The recently designated Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, which traverses parts of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, is a prime example of our shared geoheritage. Sites along the Ice Age Floods trail highlight multiple geoheritage values and offer an excellent opportunity to connect the public to the natural environment. Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail In 2009, Congress established the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, the first ever national geologic trail. Still in the development stage, the National Park Service is coordinating the planning and development of the trail with public and private landowners, local and tribal governments, the Ice Age Floods Institute, and other interested parties. The trail will consist of an existing network of highways, roads, and footpaths which will offer interpretive opportunities to bring the story of the ice-age floods to visitors. The Floods C o l u m b i a R i v e r Recreation Ecology Science & Research Economy Culture Seattle Olympia Portland Tri Cities Yakima Ellensburg Walla Walla Spokane Missoula Coeur d’Alene Astoria Wenatchee Lewiston Eugene Pendleton ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! P a c i f i c O c e a n C o r d i l l e r a n I c e S h e e t C o r d i l l e r a n I c e S h e e t P u g e t L o b e O k a n o g a n L o b e R i v e r L o b e C o l u m b i a P u r c e l l T r e n c h L o b e F l a t h ea d L o b e Map Symbols Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, primary route Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, secondary route Area affected by ice-age floods Select ice-age floods site with associated geoheritage values economy geologic features ecology culture recreation science & research e fe c Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Fort Spokane Visitor Center Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center Bridgeport State Park Steamboat Rock State Park Sun Lakes– Dry Falls State Park Lincoln Rock State Park Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park \ Wanapum Recreational Area Yakima Sportsman State Park Palouse Falls State Park The REACH Hanford Reach Interpretive Center Maryhill State Park Columbia Hills Historical State Park Beacon Rock State Park Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Potholes State Park Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Fort Spokane Visitor Center Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center Bridgeport State Park Steamboat Rock State Park Sun Lakes– Dry Falls State Park Lincoln Rock State Park Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park \ Wanapum Recreational Area Yakima Sportsman State Park Palouse Falls State Park The REACH Hanford Reach Interpretive Center Maryhill State Park Columbia Hills Historical State Park Beacon Rock State Park Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Potholes State Park C h a n n e l e d S c a b l a n d s G l a c i a l L a k e M i s s o u l a Historical research of the floods has contributed to our understanding of catastrophic processes. Ongoing research has helped us understand the sources of ice-age flood waters, the effects vast amounts of water had on surface topography, and the intervals at which these floods occurred. Current research on these landscapes is now being conducted by NASA. The channeled scablands closely resemble the surface of Mars, and offer a much closer locality for hands-on study. By studying the catastrophic effects of the water on the basalt landscape of Earth, scientists can correlate these to similar features on Mars. Places to go: The economy of the channeled scablands and the Pacific Northwest is supported by features created by the floods. The voluminous Columbia River discharges an average of 264,900 cubic feet per second. Industry in the dryland regions of eastern Washington depends on this lifeline for transportation, energy, agriculture, earth materials, and irrigation. Places to go: The unique landscape left by the floods has been used by Native Americans for centuries. Historic campsites, petroglyphs, stone and bone tools, and other relics found along the paths of the floods, help us to better understand these ancestral peoples whose descendants still populate the region. The terrain left by the floods also influences how present-day Washingtonians use this region. Cultural exhibits at many of the selected sites have more information on the lives and livelihoods of those who call this territory their home. Places to go: The shrub steppe ecology found in eastern Washington supports many types of species only found in this type of environment. Flood-scoured basalt formations provide unique habitat for wildlife. The Hanford Reach region on the Columbia River provides habitat for a number of different species including migratory birds, native mammals, and spawning salmon. Places to go: The ice-age floods left behind prime landscapes for recreation. State Parks, wildlife refuges, and other protected land ensures continued availability for public use and wildlife habitat. Visitors can take in the stunning views while hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, boating, bird watching, or wildlife viewing. Places to go: Geologic Features The catastrophic force of the flood waters (see“The Floods” at right) left behind or exposed many different geologic features which can be seen along the trail. Some of these features include: • Bedrock features: colonnades, arches, entablatures • Erosional landforms: scablands, coulees, cataracts • Depositional landforms: gravel bars, rhythmites, ripple marks • Glacial features: erratics, moraines, kames, eskers, drumlins • Wind deposits: dunes, loess hills • Fossils: petrified wood, mammoth bones Geologic features can be seen at sites all along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, including: Data Sources: Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail routes adapted from Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan Master Trail Map. Glacial ice and ice-age flood affected areas modified from Silkwood, J.T. (1998), Glacial Lake Missoula and the channeled scabland : a digital portrait of landforms of the last ice age, Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, and western Montana, United States Forest Service, Northern Region, Minerals & Geology, Geology Program Digital Mapping. Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 15, 16) Daniel Coe, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources; 4, 23) Dave Norman, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources; 5, 6, 7, 9) Washington Geologic Survey Photo Collection; 8, 20) J. Whitmer, Washington Geologic Survey Photo Collection; 11) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, http://bit.ly/2e33bpY; 12) George Gentry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 14) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, http://bit.ly/2dLKlF5; 17) Dave Menke, United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Digital Library; 18) David Weiss, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/University of Arizona; 19) Michael Polenz, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources; 21) Sean Linehan, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Historic Fisheries Collection; 22) Joe Smillie, Washington State Department of Natural Resources; 24) United States Bureau of Reclamation, http://on.doi.gov/2dtiVli G l a c i a l L a k e M i s s o u l a Steamboat Rock State Park Beacon Rock State Park Sun Lakes–Dry Falls State Park Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Beacon Rock State Park Sun Lakes–Dry Falls State Park Palouse Falls State Park Palouse Falls State Park Potholes State Park Lincoln Rock State Park Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge Yakima Sportsman State Park Bridgeport State Park The REACH-Hanford Reach Interpretive Center Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center Columbia Hills Historical State Park Fort Spokane Visitor Center Grand Coulee Dam Maryhill State Park
Transcript of Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, Washington Section ... · Title: Ice Age Floods National...
Palouse Falls 2 Dry Falls 3 Beacon Rock 4
White Bluffs Touchet beds 5 Seep Lakes 6 Ginkgo Petrified Forest 7
Basalt columns 8 Ripple marks 9 Cape Disappointment 10
Grand Coulee Dam 24
Vineyards in easternWashington 23
Wheat harvest andwind turbine 22Native Americans fishing at Celilo
Falls (now inundated by Lake Celilo) 21
Petroglyphs at Ginkgo Petrified ForestState Park 20
Geologists collecting rock samplesabove Lake Roosevelt 19
Basalt columns in the Channeled Scablands (left)compared with basalt columns on Mars (right) 18
Bull elk 14
Wildflowers abovePalouse Falls 15
White pelican atHanford Reach 16
Sockeye salmon 17
Bird watching 12
Boating and fishing onthe Yakima River 11
Hiking below Dry Falls 13
Palouse River Canyon 1
C o l u m b i a R i v e r
During the last ice age, between 12 and 17,000 years ago, glaciers covered much of northern Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The ice was miles thick in places. Portions of the glaciers
repeatedly blocked large river drainages, forming ice dams. Lakes formed behind the ice dams, growing to small inland seas rivaling the size of the Great Lakes.
The largest of these glacial lakes was Glacial Lake Missoula in what is now Montana. The lake was approximately 2,500 feet deep in places and extended over
3,000 square miles. It held as much water as about half of Lake Michigan. When the ice dam burst, all of the water suddenly drained in a matter of days, surging over Idaho, eastern
Washington, and Oregon. The vast amount of water moving over a very short period of time carved the deeply scoured terrain that forms much of the dramatic landscape we see today.
In the aftermath of the initial flood, the process of river blockage, ice-dam lake formation, and catastrophic release occurred repeatedly. Evidence suggests that there could have been as many as 100
separate floods at intervals of about every 50 years.
The features it created are colossal. The water plucked giant columns out of the basalt, created smoothed mesas and giant potholes, and formed ripple marks between 15 and 30 feet tall. Collectively, this landscape is called the Channeled
Scablands. The floods left behind many other distinctive features, such as, buttes, coulees, and flood bars.
“OurSharedGeoheritage”“Geoheritage is the collection of natural wonders, landforms, and resources that have formed over eons and come to this generation to manage, use, and conserve effectively. Geoheritage locations are valued for many reasons including: scientific, economic, ecological, education, cultural, aesthetic, artistic, and recreational purposes.” – American Geosciences Institute
The recently designated Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, which traverses parts of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, is a prime example of our shared geoheritage. Sites along the Ice Age Floods trail highlight multiple geoheritage values and offer an excellent opportunity to connect the public to the natural environment.
Ice Age FloodsNationalGeologic TrailIn 2009, Congress established the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, the first ever national geologic trail. Still in the development stage, the National Park Service is coordinating the planning and development of the trail with public and private landowners, local and tribal governments, the Ice Age Floods Institute, and other interested parties. The trail will consist of an existing network of highways, roads, and footpaths which will offer interpretive opportunities to bring the story of the ice-age floods to visitors.
The Floods
C o l u m b i a R i v e r
Recreation Ecology
Science & Research
EconomyCulture
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Olympia
Portland
Tri Ci t ies
Yakima
El lensburg
Wal la Wal la
Spokane
Missoula
Coeur d’Alene
Astor ia
Wenatchee
Lewiston
Eugene
Pendleton
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Map SymbolsIce Age Floods NationalGeologic Trail, primary routeIce Age Floods NationalGeologic Trail, secondary routeArea affected by ice-age floods
Select ice-age floods sitewith associated geoheritage values
economy
geologicfeaturesecology
culture
recreation
science& research
economyeconomyeconomyeconomyeconomyeconomy
geologicgeologicgeologicgeologicfeaturesfeaturesfeaturesfeaturesfeaturesfeaturesfeaturesfeaturesecologyecologyecologyecology
cultureculturecultureculturecultureculturecultureculture
recreationrecreationrecreationrecreation
sciencesciencesciencescience& research& research& research& research
Turnbul l Nat ionalWi ld l i fe Refuge
Fort SpokaneVis i tor Center
Grand Coulee DamVis i tor Center
Br idgeportState Park
Steamboat RockState Park
Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsState Park
Lincoln RockState Park
GinkgoPetr i f ied ForestState Park \Wanapum Recreat ional AreaYakima
SportsmanState Park
Palouse Fal lsState Park
The REACHHanford Reach
Interpret ive Center
Maryhi l lState Park
Columbia Hi l lsHistor ica l
State ParkBeacon RockState Park
Lewis and ClarkInterpret ive Center
PotholesState Park
Turnbul l Nat ionalWi ld l i fe Refuge
Fort SpokaneVis i tor Center
Grand Coulee DamVis i tor Center
Br idgeportState Park
Steamboat RockState Park
Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsState Park
Lincoln RockState Park
GinkgoPetr i f ied ForestState Park \Wanapum Recreat ional AreaYakima
SportsmanState Park
Palouse Fal lsState Park
The REACHHanford Reach
Interpret ive Center
Maryhi l lState Park
Columbia Hi l lsHistor ica l
State ParkBeacon RockState Park
Lewis and ClarkInterpret ive Center
PotholesState Park
Fort SpokaneVis i tor Center
Vis i tor Center For t SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor Center
Vis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor Center
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Wanapum Recreat ional AreaPalouse Fal lsState Park
Turnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ional
Wanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaWanapum Recreat ional AreaPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Spokane!!!!
Wild l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe Refuge
Steamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockState Park
Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsState Park
Turnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalTurnbul l Nat ionalWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe Refuge
Steamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
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State ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park State ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Tri Ci t ies!!
In terpret ive CenterInterpret ive CenterInterpret ive CenterInterpret ive CenterInterpret ive CenterInterpret ive CenterInterpret ive CenterInterpret ive Center
Yakima!
State ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
El lensburg
GinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoGinkgoPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied ForestPetr i f ied Forest
Palouse Fal lsState ParkPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsPalouse Fal lsState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Wi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe RefugeWi ld l i fe Refuge
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Fort SpokaneVis i tor CenterFor t SpokaneFort SpokaneFort SpokaneVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor Center
Vis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor CenterVis i tor Center
Steamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockState ParkSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockSteamboat RockState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Br idgeportState ParkBr idgeportBr idgeportBr idgeportBr idgeportBr idgeportState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsState Park
Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsState Park
Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Sun Lakes–Dry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsDry Fa l lsState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Wenatchee!!
State ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
PotholesState ParkState ParkState ParkState ParkState Park
Gl a c i a l L
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Historical research of the floods has contributed to our understanding of catastrophic processes. Ongoing research has helped us understand the sources of ice-age flood waters, the effects vast amounts of water had on surface topography, and the intervals at which these floods occurred.Current research on these landscapes is now being conducted by NASA. The channeled scablands closely resemble the surface of Mars, and offer a much closer locality for hands-on study. By studying the catastrophic effects of the water on the basalt landscape of Earth, scientists can correlate these to similar features on Mars.
Places to go:
The economy of the channeled scablands and the Pacific Northwest is supported by features created by the floods. The voluminous Columbia River discharges an average of 264,900 cubic feet per second. Industry in the dryland regions of eastern Washington depends on this lifeline for transportation, energy, agriculture, earth materials, and irrigation.
Places to go:
The unique landscape left by the floods has been used by Native Americans for centuries. Historic campsites, petroglyphs, stone and bone tools, and other relics found along the paths of the floods, help us to better understand these ancestral peoples whose descendants still populate the region. The terrain left by the floods also influences how present-day Washingtonians use this region. Cultural exhibits at many of the selected sites have more information on the lives and livelihoods of those who call this territory their home.
Places to go:
The shrub steppe ecology found in eastern Washington supports many types of species only found in this type of environment. Flood-scoured basalt formations provide unique habitat for wildlife. The Hanford Reach region on the Columbia River provides habitat for a number of different species including migratory birds, native mammals, and spawning salmon.
Places to go:
The ice-age floods left behind prime landscapes for recreation. State Parks, wildlife refuges, and other protected land ensures continued availability for public use and wildlife habitat. Visitors can take in the stunning views while hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, rock climbing, boating, bird watching, or wildlife viewing.
Places to go:
Geologic FeaturesThe catastrophic force of the flood waters (see“The Floods” at right) left behind or exposed many different geologic features which can be seen along the trail. Some of these features include:
• Bedrock features: colonnades, arches, entablatures • Erosional landforms: scablands, coulees, cataracts • Depositional landforms: gravel bars, rhythmites, ripple marks • Glacial features: erratics, moraines, kames, eskers, drumlins • Wind deposits: dunes, loess hills • Fossils: petrified wood, mammoth bones
Geologic features can be seen at sites all along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, including:
Data Sources: Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail routes adapted from Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Long-Range Interpretive Plan Master Trail Map. Glacial ice and ice-age flood affected areas modified from Silkwood, J.T. (1998), Glacial Lake Missoula and the channeled scabland : a digital portrait of landforms of the last ice age, Washington, Oregon, northern Idaho, and western Montana, United States Forest Service, Northern Region, Minerals & Geology, Geology Program Digital Mapping.
Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 10, 13, 15, 16) Daniel Coe, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources; 4, 23) Dave Norman, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources; 5, 6, 7, 9) Washington Geologic Survey Photo Collection; 8, 20) J. Whitmer, Washington Geologic Survey Photo Collection; 11) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, http://bit.ly/2e33bpY; 12) George Gentry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 14) Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, http://bit.ly/2dLKlF5; 17) Dave Menke, United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Digital Library; 18) David Weiss, National Aeronautics and Space Administration/University of Arizona; 19) Michael Polenz, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources; 21) Sean Linehan, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Historic Fisheries Collection; 22) Joe Smillie, Washington State Department of Natural Resources; 24) United States Bureau of Reclamation, http://on.doi.gov/2dtiVli
Gl a c i a l L
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Steamboat Rock State Park
Beacon Rock State Park
Sun Lakes–Dry Falls State Park
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Beacon Rock State Park
Sun Lakes–Dry Falls State Park
Palouse Falls State Park
Palouse Falls State Park
Potholes State Park
Lincoln Rock State Park
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
Yakima Sportsman State Park
Bridgeport State Park The REACH-Hanford Reach Interpretive Center
Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park
Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center
Columbia Hills Historical State Park
Fort Spokane Visitor Center
Grand Coulee Dam Maryhill State Park
