QUATERNARY GEOLOGY of the FOSSTON 30' X 60' QUADRANGLE, NORTHWEST MINNESOTA # # Geological Survey in St

Prepared and Published with the Support of MISCELLANEOUS MAP SERIES THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AS PART OF THE 2006 STATE GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM ELEMENT (STATEMAP) MAP M-177 MINNESOTA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM Quaternary Geology, Fosston Quadrangle Harvey Thorleifson, Director

��

�� INTRODUCTION Qlg Loam, pebbly (shown only on cross section)—Unsorted; unbedded; contains MAP SYMBOLS inclusions of sand and gravel; commonly contains cobbles and boulders; as This plate presents a lithostratigraphic interpretation of the surface and subsurface geology Geologic contacts �� much as 70 feet (21 meters) thick, but generally 15 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) �� of the Fosston 30' x 60' quadrangle (Fig. 1). Lithostratigraphic units are defined by sediment thick; where overlain by the Upper Red Lake Falls Formation, this unit was Approximate—Judged to be within 0.25 mile (0.4 kilometer) �� type (lithology) and stratigraphic position. The lithostratigraphic map shows areas of surface deposited by glacial ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape and subsequently of the true boundary along most of its length. exposure of these units and the cross section shows their interpreted spacial relationship at eroded by glacial ice (west end of the cross section); where not overlain by Inferred—Judged to be between 0.25 mile (0.4 kilometer) and �� depth. �� the Upper Red Lake Falls Formation, this unit was deposited on an ice-cored, 0.5 mile (0.8 kilometer) from the true boundary along most �� The basic data used for the lithologic interpretation of the map area, except for the Red Lake glaciated landscape or stagnant ice; water-saturated sediment flowed in response of its length. �� Indian Reservation, consists of: 1. Interpretation of aerial photography; 2. Field observations; 3. to gravity and was modified by the presence of standing and flowing water; Speculated—Judged likely to be more than 0.5 mile (0.8 �� Interpretation of sample data contained in a regional database, QBASE (Minnesota Geological glacier-eroded glacial sediment. kilometer) from the true boundary. �� Survey, 2007b); and 4. General soil maps (Agricultural Experiment Station, 1980; U.S. Department �� Qlw Loam, pebbly—Unsorted; unbedded; contains abundant cobbles and boulders; as Beach ridge—Established from aerial photographs; line indicates �� of Agriculture, 1997a, b, c, 2003, 2004, 2005). �� much as 50 feet (15 meters) thick, but generally 15 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) the crest of the ridge; interpreted to be beach ridges or off The basic data used for the stratigraphic interpretation of the map area, except for the Red �� thick; unit has a flat to undulating surface commonly with a veneer of sand and shore bars deposited along the margin of Glacial Lake Agassiz; �� Lake Indian Reservation, consists of: 1. Interpretation of sample data contained in a regional gravel; generally less than 6 feet (2 meters) of relief; deposited by glacial ice �� discernible on topographic maps and on the ground. �� database, QBASE (Minnesota Geological Survey, 2007b); 2. Previous work in the Red River valley on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; eroded by running water; water-eroded, �� Channel scour—Established from aerial photographs; a line marks �� (Harris, 1973, 1975, 1987, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2006a, b; Harris and others, 1974, 1996; Moran low-relief glacial sediment. �� the scour, the arrow indicates probable direction of water �� and others, 1976; Arndt, 1977; Harris and Luther, 1991; Thorleifson and others, 2005); and 3. �� Qlo Sand and gravel—Moderately sorted; crossbedded to flatbedded; as much as flow; interpreted to be anastomosing stream channels eroded �� Interpretation of water-well data contained in the Minnesota Geological Survey's County Well �� 50 feet (15 meters) thick; sand where stippled; uncollapsed glacial outwash during episodes of overland flow; generally not apparent on � �� Index (Minnesota Geological Survey, 2007a). The geology presented on the Red Lake Indian associated with the lower Red Lake Falls formation. topographic maps or on the ground. �� Reservation is based on interpretation of aerial photography, a general soil map (Agricultural Qlc Sand and gravel—Moderately sorted; disturbed crossbedded to flatbedded; Esker—Established from aerial photographs; line indicates the �� Experiment Station, 1980), and regional geology. as much as 50 feet (15 meters) thick; sand where stippled; collapsed glacial crest of a sinuous ridge, located in collapsed glacial sediment; �� Quaternary sediments were deposited in the map area by glacial ice, rivers, the wind, and �� outwash associated with the lower Red Lake Falls formation. �� interpreted to mark the location of a stream channel (commonly �� gravity. Figure 1 shows the location of the map area and regional glacial and lacustrine events �� Qot Sand and silt—Moderately to poorly sorted; crossbedded to flatbedded; as much sand and gravel) that formed on top of, in, or under glacial �� influencing the area. The two ice margins shown on the lithostratigraphic map and Figure 1 �� as 10 feet (3 meters) thick overlying glacial sediment; overlying sand and gravel ice; apparent on topographic maps, generally apparent on the �� mark stable positions of glacial ice that deposited the Upper Red Lake Falls Formation (ice where stippled; uncollapsed glacial outwash associated with the lower Red Lake ground. �� margin 1 or Perley moraine) and the Lower Red Lake Falls Formation (ice margin 2 or Comstock �� Falls formation. �� Sharp scarp—Established from aerial photographs; line indicates �� moraine). They do not necessarily mark glacial maximums. �� the crest of the scarp and the hachures point downslope; easily �� Cross section A–A' shows the generalized, schematic relationship of lithostratigraphic units Upper Goose River group (Figs. 1, 3; Tables 1, 2)—Deposited by glacier ice as a result �� discernible on topographic maps and on the ground. �� in the subsurface of the map area based on available well control. Minor surface map units of a readvance of the generally retreating Late Wisconsinan glacier in the Red �� Palimpsest channel—Established from aerial photographs; lines �� do not appear on the cross section. Stratigraphic data from four previously drilled test holes, River lowland. indicate the crests of the scarps; half-circles indicate the �� N-1914, N-1915, McIntosh, and N-1920, were used to construct the cross section (Minnesota St. Hilaire Formation—Pebbly clay-loam; unbedded; unsorted; columnar structure or �� downslope direction; half-circles are omitted within very �� Geological Survey, 2007b). The locations of the test borings are shown on the surficial map weak vertical jointing is common in dry outcrops along the Red Lake River narrow channels; interpreted to be a buried meltwater channel; �� and in Figure 2. These four borings, ranging in depth from 75 to 155 feet (23 to 47 meters), in the Red Lake Falls area of Red Lake County; shale pebbles are common; �� provided the only borehole stratigraphic control available; therefore, the cross section is highly contains lignite fragments; gray to very dark gray; calcareous; not present on generally apparent on topographic maps, may not be apparent on the ground. �� generalized and units do not correspond with the map. the surface in the map area; glacial sediment (Harris, 1973, 1975, 1995, 1999, �� 2003, 2006a, b; Harris and others, 1974, 1996; Moran and others, 1976; Arndt, Ice margin—Position established from aerial photographs, �� Stratigraphic units were correlated between the control borings using available water wells �� topographic cross section, and analysis of sediment samples; �� along the path of the cross section. Water wells within 1.0 mile (1.5 kilometers) of the cross 1977; Thorleifson and others, 2005). �� hachures point toward the glacier; interpreted to be the �� section are displayed in areas where there were abundant water wells. Water wells within 1.5 Qsg Clay-loam, pebbly (shown only on cross section)—Unbedded; unsorted; contains miles (2.5 kilometers) of the cross section are displayed in areas where there were fewer water inclusions of sand and gravel; contains cobbles and boulders; as much as 70 feet approximate position of a glacial margin; may mark a glacial �� wells. Because of the low density of water wells along the path of the cross section, both (21 meters) thick, but generally 3 to 30 feet (1 to 9 meters) thick; deposited by maximum or recessional position; not generally discernible �� located and unlocated water wells were used. Located water wells have had their reported glacial ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; eroded by subsequent glacial on topographic maps or on the ground. �� Other lineation—Established from aerial photographs; line �� location verified; unlocated water wells have not. Water wells are displayed on the cross section events; glacier-eroded glacial sediment. as vertical bars extending from their reported surface elevation to their reported total depth. marks the long dimension of the feature; located in glacial �� Crow Wing River group (Figs. 1, 3; Tables 1, 2)—Older, northeastern-source glacial Consequently, wells that are located off the path of the cross section may appear either above sediment and thinly veneered glacial sediment; interpreted to �� sediment. Thought to be early Wisconsinan in age. be disintegration trenches, streamlined bedforms associated �� or below the surface elevation shown on the cross section. �� Marcoux Formation—Pebble-loam; sandy; unbedded; unsorted; massive; abundant The stratigraphic nomenclature used here was developed in the Red River valley of western with the movement of glacial ice, or lineations of unknown pebbles, cobbles, and boulders; light gray to grayish-brown; very hard in �� Minnesota and eastern North Dakota by various mapping studies (Harris, 1973, 1975, 1987a, b, origin; generally difficult to discern on topographic maps and �� outcrop; calcareous; average texture (51-31-18); average coarse-grained sand �� 1995, 1999, 2003, 2006a, b; Harris and others, 1974; Harris and Luther, 1991; Thorleifson and on the ground. �� lithology (74-21-05); glacial sediment (Harris, 1973, 1975, 1995, 1999, 2003, �� others, 2005). Informal nomenclature has been developed, refined, and formalized for some 2006a, b; Harris and others, 1974, 1996; Moran and others, 1976; Thorleifson �� of the stratigraphic units. For other stratigraphic units, the nomenclature is still being refined �� and others, 2005). �� and has yet to be formalized. Formation names are used for lithologically distinct, mappable �� units of unsorted, pebbly loam, commonly called glacial till. Formal formation names (such as Qm Loam, pebbly—Sandy, unbedded; unsorted; includes inclusions of sand and gravel; the Wiley Formation) are used where the units have been named in accordance with the Code contains abundant cobbles and boulders; as much as 100 feet (30 meters) thick, �� but generally 15 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) thick; unit has an undulating to rolling �� of Stratigraphic Nomenclature. Informal formation names (such as the Upper Red Lake Falls �� formation) are used for stratigraphic units that are recognized in the region, but have not yet surface with 10 to 33 feet (3 to 10 meters) of relief; deposited by glacial ice on �� an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; collapsed medium-relief glacial sediment. REFERENCES �� been formalized. Informal group names (such as the Goose River group) are used to associate �� Qmr Loam, pebbly—Sandy, unbedded; unsorted; includes inclusions of sand and gravel; Agricultural Experiment Station, 1980, Minnesota soil atlas—Bemidji sheet: �� formal and informal formations that have similar lithologic characteristics, and consequently, �� are interpreted as having been deposited by glacial ice flowing from the same source area. Table contains abundant cobbles and boulders; as much as 100 feet (30 meters) thick, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station �� but generally 15 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) thick; unit has a flat to undulating Miscellaneous Report 168, 74 p., scale 1:250,000. �� 1 lists formal and informal stratigraphic units recognized in the Red River valley of Minnesota �� and North Dakota, their interpreted age, and sediment type. Table 2 shows a summary of surface commonly with a veneer of sand and gravel; generally less than 6 feet (2 Arndt, B.M., 1977, Stratigraphy of offshore sediment Lake Agassiz–North distinguishing characteristics of recognized glacial units in the Fosston map area. meters) of relief; deposited by glacial ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; Dakota: North Dakota Geological Survey, Report of Investigation 60, �� eroded by running water; water-eroded glacial sediment. 58 p. �� DESCRIPTION OF MAP UNITS Qmp Loam, pebbly—Sandy, unbedded; unsorted; includes inclusions of sand and Ashworth, A.C., 1980, Environmental implications of a beetle assemblage �� gravel; contains abundant cobbles and boulders; glacial sediment covering, but U.S. Department of Agriculture textural classification terms are used to describe sediment from the Gervais Formation (Early Wisconsinan?), Minnesota: Quaternary �� not obscuring, preexisting topography; buried meltwater channels and broad Research, v. 13, p. 200-212. �� texture. �� areas of collapsed subglacial drainage are the most common features present; Bluemle, J.P., 1973, Part I—Geology of Nelson and Walsh Counties, North �� QUATERNARY draped (palimpsest) features are visible on aerial photographs through the �� Dakota: North Dakota Geological Survey Bulletin 57, pt. I, p. 70, 4 �� collapsed glacial sediment; deposited on an ice-cored landscape; collapsed �� The geologic period covering the last 1.6 million years, including glacial and post-glacial pls., scale 1:126,000. �� glacial sediment draped over preexisting landscape. epochs. Clayton, L., and Moran, S.R., 1982, Chronology of Late Wisconsinan Qmg Loam, pebbly (shown only on cross section)—Sandy, unbedded; unsorted; contains �� glaciation in Middle North America: Quaternary Science Reviews, v. �� HOLOCENE inclusions of sand and gravel; contains abundant cobbles and boulders; as �� 1, p. 55-82. �� much as 100 feet (30 meters) thick, but generally 15 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) The post-glacial period in which we now live (10,000 years ago to the present). Harris, K.L., 1973, Pleistocene stratigraphy of the Red Lake Falls area, thick; deposited by glacial ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; eroded by �� Minnesota: Grand Forks, N. Dak., University of North Dakota, M.S. �� subsequent glacial events; glacier-eroded glacial sediment. �� thesis, 117 p. �� River sediment—Sediment deposited in river channels and on river floodplains. �� Gervais Formation (Figs. 1, 3; Tables 1, 2)—Older, northern-source glacial deposits. ———1975, Pleistocene geology of the Grand Forks-Bemidji area, northwestern �� Walsh Formation—Sand, silt, clay, gravel, and organic debris; dark gray, generally dirty �� Thought to be early Wisconsinan in age. �� appearance; alluvium (Bluemle, 1973). Minnesota: Grand Forks, N. Dak., University of North Dakota, Ph.D. �� Gervais Formation—Pebbly clay-loam; silty; very slightly pebbly; unbedded; unsorted; Qw Sand, silt, clay, and disseminated organic debris—Obscurely bedded; dark dissertation, 142 p. �� massive; strongly jointed in dry outcrops along the Red Lake River in the Red �� colored; in many places associated with sand and gravel of older river-channel ———1987a, Quaternary geology of the Grand Forks-Red Lake Falls area, Lake Falls area of Red Lake County; light olive-gray to dark gray; abundant North Dakota and Minnesota: North Dakota Geological Survey Open- �� sediment; commonly more than 3 feet (1 meter) thick; modern alluvium and �� overbank sediment. wood chips, twigs, and logs; fragments of mollusk shells, insects, carbon flakes, File Report OF-87-1, 2 pls., 32 p., scale 1:270,000. and moss; calcareous; C14 dates: older than 39,900 B.P. (I-5317), and older ———1987b, Surface geology of the Sheyenne River map area: North Dakota �� Lake sediment—Deposited in poorly drained depressions in the landscape. than 46,900 B.P. (BIRM 522); glacial sediment (Harris, 1973, 1975, 1995, Geological Survey Atlas AS-15-A1, scale 1:250,000. �� Qhp Organic debris, clay, and silt—Obscurely bedded; minor amounts of clay and silt 1999, 2003, 2006a, b; Harris and others, 1974, 1996; Moran and others, 1976; ———project manager, 1995, Regional hydrogeologic assessment: Quaternary at depth; dark colored; generally more than 3 feet (1 meter) thick; thick recent Ashworth, 1980; Thorleifson and others, 2005). geology—southern Red River valley, Minnesota: Minnesota Geological bog sediment. Qgg Clay-loam, pebbly (shown only on cross section)—Silty, unbedded; unsorted; �� Survey Regional Hydrogeologic Assessment RHA-3, pt. A, 2 pls, scales slightly pebbly; at least 30 feet (9 meters) thick in exposures along the Red �� Qpt Organic debris, clay, and silt—Obscurely bedded; minor amounts of clay and silt at 1:200,000 and 1:750,000. �� depth; dark colored; generally less than 3 feet (1 meter) thick overlying glacial Lake River, but unit thickness is not known in the map area; deposited by glacial �� ———project manager, 1999, Regional hydrogeologic assessment: Quaternary �� sediment; stippled where overlying sand or sand and gravel; thin recent bog ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; eroded by subsequent glacial events; �� geology—Otter Tail area, west-central Minnesota: Minnesota Geological glacier-eroded glacial sediment. �� sediment. �� Survey Regional Hydrogeologic Assessment RHA-5, pt. A, 2 pls, scales Older glacial deposits (Figs. 1, 3; Table 1) 1:200,000 and 1:400,000. �� HOLOCENE AND OLDER �� Qog Older tills (shown only on cross section)—Glacial sediment present between the lowest ———project manager, 2003. Geologic atlas of Pope County, Minnesota: �� Qs Sand, silt, and clay—Unsorted; unbedded; commonly pebbly; shows steep slopes recognized units and the interpreted top of the bedrock surface. Sedimentary Minnesota Geological Survey County Atlas C-15, pt. A, 7 pls., scale �� and steeply sloping units; eroded by mass movement and slope wash; lithology �� character and thickness of the individual units is unknown; older glacier-eroded 1:100,000. �� reflects the up-slope material; colluvium is commonly present at the base of the glacial sediment. �� ———2006a, Quaternary geology of the Crookston 30 x 60 quadrangle, �� steep slopes; Holocene and older; sediment on steep slopes. �� Bedrock northwest Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map �� Qpc Sand and gravel—Moderately to poorly sorted; crossbedded to flatbedded; as much as �� M-173, 2 pls., scale 1:100,000. �� Pc Undifferentiated bedrock (shown only on cross section)—Bedrock in the map area 50 feet (15 meters) thick; sand where stippled; Holocene and older; uncollapsed ———project manager, 2006b, Regional hydrogeologic assessment: Quaternary �� consists predominantly of weathered Precambrian igneous and metamorphic �� channel sediment deposited by meltwater rivers. �� geology—west-central Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Regional �� rocks (Jirsa and others, 1994, 1999). �� Qcc Sand and gravel—Moderately to poorly sorted; crossbedded to flatbedded; as much Hydrogeologic Assessment RHA-6, pt. A, 2 pls., scale 1:200,000. �� as 50 feet (15 meters) thick; sand where stippled; Holocene and older; collapsed Harris, K.L., and Luther, M.L., 1991, Surface geology of the Goose River �� channel sediment deposited by meltwater rivers. �� map area: North Dakota Geological Survey Atlas AS-14-A1, scale �� 250,000. PLEISTOCENE Table 1. List of formal and informal stratigraphic units recognized in the Red River valley of Minnesota and North Harris, K.L., Moran, S.R., and Clayton, L., 1974, Late Quaternary stratigraphic The most recent glacial epoch (1,600,000 to 10,000 years ago). All of the surface sediments nomenclature, Red River valley, North Dakota and Minnesota: North Base from U.S. Geological Survey Fosston 1:100,000 GIS compilation by T.E. Wahl Dakota showing their interpreted age and sediment type. quadrangle, 1985. SCALE 1:100 000 Edited by Lori Robinson mapped in the study area are thought to be less than 15,000 years old. Units recognized in the Fosston map area are in bold; names Dakota Geological Survey Miscellaneous Series 52, 47 p. 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 MILES Universal Transverse Mercator Projection, grid zone 15 Lake sediment (Figs. 1, 3; Table 1)—Deposited in the Lake Agassiz basin, south of glacial in italics are included with the older glacial deposits (unit Harris, K.L., Reid, J.R., and Luther, M.L., eds., 1996, Quaternary geology of 1983 North American Datum �� 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 KILOMETERS ice that occupied the Red River lowland. Qog). the southern Lake Agassiz basin, North Dakota and Minnesota—Midwest �� Friends of the Pleistocene 43rd Annual Meeting: North Dakota Geological Wiley Formation—Clay and silt; generally thinly laminated (millimeters to centimeters); �� CONTOUR INTERVAL 10 METERS Group/Formation Sediment type Survey Miscellaneous Series 82, 165 p. olive-gray to dark gray clay; light brownish-gray to olive-brown silt; in outcrops along the Red Lake River, thickness ranges from 2 to 7 feet (0.6 to 2 meters); HOLOCENE Jirsa, M.A., Chandler, V.W., and Runkel, A.C., 1999, Bedrock geologic map Lake Agassiz offshore lake sediment (Harris, 1973, 1975, 2006a; Harris and Walsh Formation alluvium of northwestern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey Miscellaneous others, 1974, 1996; Moran and others, 1976; Arndt, 1977; Thorleifson and Oahe Formation wind-blown sand Map M-92, scale 1:200,000. �� Lake Agassiz group Jirsa, M.A., Runkel, A.C., and Chandler, V.W., 1994, Bedrock geologic map � QUADRANGLE others, 2005). lake sediment Sherack Formation

�� of northwestern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological Survey, Miscellaneous �� LOCATION �� Qsc Sand and silt with gravel ridges—Moderately to well sorted; disturbed bedding; �� Poplar River Formation buried river sediment as much as 18 feet (6 meters) thick; deposited along the shoreline of Glacial Map M-80, scale 1:250,000. �� West Fargo Member channel sediment Lake Agassiz, commonly on eroded till; beach ridges are shown as line symbols; Johnson, M.D., 2000, unpublished compilation of Minnesota ice margins: Harwood Member overbank sediment �� hummocky topography; occurs south of Lower Red Lake; collapsed Glacial St. Peter, Minn., Gustavus Adolphus College, Geology Department, p. �� PLEISTOCENE �� Lake Agassiz shoreline sediment. 1, scale 1:3,000,000. Lake Agassiz group �� lake sediment Lusardi, B.A., Hobbs, H.C., and Patterson, C.J., 2002, Surface geology of the Qnc Silt, clay, and sand—Moderately to well sorted; disturbed bedding; light gray Brenna Formation �� Faribault 30 x 60 minute quadrangle, south-central Minnesota: Minnesota �� where unoxidized and yellowish-gray to olive-brown where oxidized; as much Forest River group �� as 15 feet (5 meters) thick; deposited in shallow water; hummocky to rolling Geological Survey Miscellaneous Map M-130, scale 1:100,000. �� Huot Formation glacial sediment �� topography; collapsed Glacial Lake Agassiz nearshore sediment. Minnesota Geological Survey, 2007a, County Well Index–Fosston 30 x 60 �� Falconer Formation Qps Sand and silt with gravel ridges—Moderately to well sorted; plane bedded to Lake Agassiz group quadrangle: Minnesota Geological Survey, digital database. �� lake sediment �� crossbedded; as much as 18 feet (6 meters) thick; deposited along the shoreline Wiley Formation ———2007b, QBASE–Northwestern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological �� of Glacial Lake Agassiz, commonly on eroded till; beach ridges and offshore Red Lake River group Survey, digital database. �� bars are shown as line symbols; Glacial Lake Agassiz shoreline sediment. Red Lake Falls Formation Moran, S.R., Arndt, B.M., Bluemle, J.P., Camara, M., Clayton, L., Fenton, �� @ Qpn Silt, clay, and sand—Moderately to well sorted; flatbedded to crossbedded; light Upper Red Lake Falls formation glacial sediment M.W., Harris, K.L., Hobbs, H.C., Keatinge, R., Sackreiter, D.K., Salomon, �� @ �� @ �� gray where unoxidized and yellowish-gray to olive-brown where oxidized; as Lower Red Lake Falls formation N.L., and Teller, J., 1976, Quaternary stratigraphy and history of North �� @ �� much as 15 feet (5 meters) thick; deposited in shallow water; stippled where Lake Agassiz group Dakota, southern Manitoba, and northwestern Minnesota, in Mahaney, �� @ �� @ "Sheyenne Delta sediment" river/deltaic sediment �� @ @ thin over glacial sediment; Glacial Lake Agassiz nearshore sediment. W.C., ed., Quaternary stratigraphy of North America, Stroudsburg, Penn., @ @ Argusville Formation lake sediment Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross, p. 133-158. �� @ �� Red Lake River group (Figs. 1, 3; Tables 1, 2)—Deposited by glacier ice as a result of @ Goose River group �� @ @ a readvance of the generally retreating Late Wisconsinan glacier in the Red Patterson, C.J., project manager, 1999, Regional hydrogeologic assessment: @ Upper Goose River group @ @ River lowland. Quaternary geology—Upper Minnesota River basin: Minnesota Geological @ Barnesville till Survey Regional Hydrogeologic Assessment RHA-4, pt. A, 2 pls., scale �� @ Upper Red Lake Falls formation—Pebble-loam; unbedded; unsorted; conspicuous �� @ �� St. Hilaire Formation @ 1:200,000.

�� columnar jointing in dry outcrops along the Red Lake River; brownish-gray to @ Lower Goose River group Setterholm, D.R., project manager, 1995, Regional hydrogeologic assessment: @ olive-brown; calcareous; average texture (35-40-25); average coarse-grained @ Dahlen Formation Quaternary geology—southwestern Minnesota: Minnesota Geological �� @ @ sand lithology (54-33-13); deposited north and west of ice margin 1 (Perley Heiberg formation �� @ �� moraine; Fig. 1); glacial sediment (Harris, 1973, 1975, 1995, 2006a; Harris Survey Regional Hydrogeologic Assessment RHA-2, pt. A, 2 pls., scale @ @ Otter Tail River group @ and others, 1974, 1996; Moran and others, 1976; Arndt, 1977; Thorleifson and 1:200,000. @ �� Hawley formation

@ �� @ Thorleifson, H., Harris, K.L., Berg, J., Tipping, R., Malolepszy, Z, Lusardi, @ others, 2005). New York Mills formation @ @ B.A., Setterholm, D.R., and Anderson, F., 2005, Geologic mapping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quw Loam, pebbly—Unsorted; unbedded; commonly contains cobbles and boulders; as Villard formation �� @ @ @ @ @ �� and 3D model of deposits that host ground-water systems in the Fargo- @ @ @ �� much as 15 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) thick; unit has a flat to undulating surface James River group Moorhead region, Minnesota and North Dakota: Minnesota Geological �� commonly with a veneer of sand and gravel; generally less than 6 feet (2 meters) James River formation Survey, Report submitted to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of relief; deposited by glacial ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; eroded Lake Tewaukon group �� of Reclamation in fulfillment of Cooperative Agreement No. 04FG601925 �� by waves of Glacial Lake Agassiz; wave-eroded, low-relief glacial sediment. Gardar Formation Vertical exaggeration = 50x in support of the Red River Valley Water Supply Project, 155 p., 2 pls., Qup Loam, pebbly—Unsorted; unbedded; glacial sediment covering, but not obscuring, Buffalo River group scales 1:200,000 and 1:400,000. preexisting topography; buried meltwater channels and broad areas of collapsed Buffalo River formation glacial sediment # # # # # U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1997a, Soils survey of Beltrami County, # ## # subglacial drainage are the most common features present; may include exposures Crow Wing River group # # # # Minnesota: Natural Resources Conservation Service, 327 p. # # " of sand and gravel; draped (palimpsest) features are visible on aerial photographs Sebeka Formation �� # # # �� Table 2. Summary of distinguishing characteristics of recognized glacial units in the Fosston map area; values in percent (xt = crystalline rocks # # �� # # through the collapsed glacial sediment; deposited on an ice-cored landscape; Marcoux Formation ———1997b, Soils survey of Clearwater County area, Minnesota, part 1: � " # �� fragments, co = carbonate rock fragments, sh = shale fragments). # " �� # # " # " # collapsed glacial sediment draped over preexisting landscape. Sheyenne River group Natural Resources Conservation Service, 145 p. �� # # �� # Upper Red Lake Lower Red Lake St. Hilaire Marcoux Gervais �� # ## # � �� # " " # Sheyenne River formation ———1997c, Soils survey of Clearwater County area, Minnesota, part 2: �� # Falls Formation Falls Formation Formation Formation Formation Qug Loam, pebbly (shown only on cross section)—Unsorted; unbedded; contains �� ### # # # �� # # " # " ��

�� # # �� Browerville group Natural Resources Conservation Service, 239 p. �� # # inclusions of sand and gravel; commonly contains cobbles and boulders; as �� sand silt clay sand silt clay sand silt clay sand silt clay sand silt clay �� # �� # �� Browerville formation � # # �� much as 70 feet (21 meters) thick, but generally 15 to 30 feet (5 to 9 meters) ———2003, General soils map of Polk County Minnesota: Natural Resources " " " " " # 35 40 25 35 42 23 32 41 27 51 31 18 28 43 29 # �� # # �� # ## " " �� Gervais group �� texture thick; deposited by glacial ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; eroded by Conservation Service, 445 p. � ## � # # " # � # # " # �� loam loam clay loam loam clay loam �� # # Gervais Formation � ###### # � ### # ## " " " " " waves of Glacial Lake Agassiz; water-eroded glacial sediment. � #### # # # ———2004, Soils survey of Pennington County, Minnesota: Natural Resources � # # # # # # # " # # # �� # # # # # medium high medium medium high medium medium high medium high medium low medium high medium Old Otter Tail River group � # # # � ## # # Lower Red Lake Falls formation—Pebble-loam; unbedded; unsorted; massive; brownish-gray Conservation Service, 1163 p. � Figure 1. Occurrence of glacial sediment in western # # # # # # # ## " � " # # ### # ## # �� # ### # # # # # # # �� Old Hawley till � # # " # # # # ## "## # # ## coarse- � # ### # # # # xt co sh xt co sh xt co sh xt co sh xt co sh to olive-brown; calcareous; average texture (35-42-23); average coarse-grained # # # # " " ———2005, Soils survey of Red Lake County, Minnesota: Natural Resources �� Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. Named # # # ##"# # # " # # # # " � # # # # # # Figure 3. Event diagram showing a spacial " # # grained Old New York Mills till � # # # # # # # ## " #" # # # # # # " # ## # # # �� 54 33 13 56 41 3 45 30 25 74 21 5 45 52 3 " ## # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # sand lithology (56-41-03); deposited north of the Comstock moraine (Fig. 1); lithostratigraphic units in this report are associated with # # # ## # # # # # # # Conservation Service, 1371 p. # " # # " # # # �� sand " ###" # ## " " # # # # # # ## #### # ## ## �� and chronologic depiction of Glacial Lake Old Buffalo River group # # # # # ## # # �� # # # # # ## # # # " glacial sediment (Harris, 1973, 1975, 1995, 2006a; Harris and others, 1974, " # # ### # " # #" # # the Red River and Des Moines lobes only. Ice margin # # # # # # # # # # # # # #### composition high medium low high high low high medium medium very high medium low high high low # # # # # # # Agassiz and other glacial events in the Fosston # # # # # ## # # # ## ## # Old Buffalo River till # # # #### "# # # " # # # # # # # # #### # 1996; Moran and others, 1976; Arndt, 1977; Thorleifson and others, 2005). positions are included to show the extent of Des Moines # # # # # ## # # " "# # # " # " ## # ## ### # # " # # # region. Formation names are used on the left color, dry brownish-gray (2.5Y 6/2) brownish-gray (2.5Y 6/2) gray (5Y 5/1) to very dark light gray (5Y 6/1) to light gray (5Y 6/1) to # # # ## # # # # # # # # # Old Crow Wing River group # # ### # ### # # # �� # # # # # ## # # # ###### ### # # ## # " ## #" ### # # # # �� lobe ice and the location of minor moraines developed # # # # # # # # # # and wet ### # # # # ## # # # # # # # # #" # " # # # " # ### # ## side and the associated group names are shown to olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) to olive-brown (2.5Y 4/4) gray (10Y 3/2) grayish-brown (2.5Y 5/2) grayish-brown (2.5Y 5/2) # # " # # ## # # " # # ## # Old Sebeka Formation # " # # # # #### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # �� # " # ## #### ####" ## # # #" # " "# #### Qlm Loam, pebbly—Unsorted; unbedded; commonly contains cobbles and boulders; by the receding glacial ice. Named ice margins are # # # # # # ##" # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ### on the right. " # # # # # # # ## # ## # # # # # Old Marcoux Formation # " # ##" # # ## # # # # " # ### # # # # # # # # # from Harris (1995, 1999), Setterholm (1995), Patterson ##### " # ## #" # # ## �� low medium high very high undulating to rolling surface with 10 to 33 feet (3 to 10 meters) of relief; deposited # # # " # " #" # #" # # ### #" # " �� # #### # # # ## # # ## CRETACEOUS # # # # # ### ## # # # " " # # ### # ## # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # ## # # # 0-19 20-39 40-59 60-79 by glacial ice on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape; collapsed medium-relief (1999), Johnson (2000), and Lusardi and others (2002); ## # # # ## # # �� # " ### # # # # # " ## # # # ## # ## # # # # " # # #"# # # ## # # # # ## # ## Montana Group �� # # # # # # # # # " # # # ### # "# # glacial sediment. modified from Clayton and Moran (1982). # # ## ## # ## # # # ## # ## # ## # # # # # # # # # # ## # # ## # # # # # �� Pierre Formation # " ## # ### # # # # " ### # # # # ## �� # # ## # # # " # # #### � �� # # # # ### # ## # # ## # # ## # ## # Qlh Loam, pebbly—Unsorted; unbedded; contains inclusions of sand and gravel; # " " # # "## #### # # #"# # # ### # " ### # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # ### # Colorado Group # # ###### # ## ## ## ### # Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the factual data on which " # #" # ## ## # # #### ####### # ### # # # ## ##### # # # ## # # # # # # # ## ## # # # # # # #### #### # ## # # commonly contains cobbles and boulders; hummocky surface with more than # # # " ### ## # # # ### # ## # ## " #### " ###### ### # # " # " # # ## # ## # # this map interpretation is based; however, the Minnesota Geological Survey does not warrant # # ## # # #" # # # ### # # # ## ### ##### Niobrara Formation marine shale �� # # ###### # # # # # # ### ## # ## ######## # ## # # # # # ## # # # # ### # # # # # # # 33 feet (10 meters) of relief; deposited on an ice-cored, glaciated landscape or �� # # # # ##### # # ## # ## ## # or guarantee that there are no errors. Users may wish to verify critical information; sources # # # # # # ## ### ## # # # # #### Carlile Formation # # # # ## ### ## ## ##### # # # # # ## # ##### # # ## # # # ## ## # # ### ## ### stagnant ice; water saturated sediment flowed in response to gravity and was include both the references listed here and information on file at the offices of the Minnesota # # #### #### # ## # # # # # # # ## # # # # # ## ### # ###### Greenhorn Formation # # # # # ## # # # ## # # # # # # ## # QUATERNARY GEOLOGY OF THE FOSSTON 30' X 60' QUADRANGLE, NORTHWEST MINNESOTA # # Geological Survey in St. Paul. In addition, effort has been made to ensure that the interpretation ## # # # # ## modified by the presence of standing and flowing water; collapsed high-relief # # # # Figure# 2. Location# of water wells# #(# ) and shallow test borings and stratigraphic borings (" ) used Bell Fouche/Skull Creek Formations glacial sediment. conforms to sound geologic and cartographic principles. No claim is made that the interpretation Dakota Group to construct the surficial geology map and cross section. sandstone shown is rigorously correct, however, and it should not be used to guide engineering-scale By Qlp Loam, pebbly—Unsorted; unbedded; glacial sediment covering, but not obscuring, Inyan Kara Formation decisions without site-specific verification. preexisting topography; buried meltwater channels and broad areas of collapsed ORDOVICIAN The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the author and should not subglacial drainage are the most common features present; may include exposures Red River Formation dolomitic limestone be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, Kenneth L. Harris of sand and gravel; draped (palimpsest) features are visible on aerial photographs Winnipeg group siltstone, sandstone, of the U.S. Government. This map is submitted for publication with the understanding that The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity through the collapsed glacial sediment; deposited on an ice-cored landscape; shale the U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for governmental use. educator and employer Supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, collapsed glacial sediment draped over preexisting landscape. PRECAMBRIAN igneous and 2007 under assistance Award No. 06HQAG0041. metamorphic rocks