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A Geologic History of the Brazos River

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A Geologic History of the Brazos River BAYLORGEOLOGICA L STUDIES A Geologic History of the Brazos River LAWRENCEWAR D EPFS thinking is more important than elaborate FRANK PH.D. PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY BAYLOR UNIVERSITY 1929-1934 Objectives of Geological Training at Baylor The training of a geologist in a university covers but a few years; his education continues throughout his active life. The purposes of train­ ing geologists at Baylor University are to provide a sound basis of understanding and to foster a truly geological point of view, both of which are essential for continued professional growth. The staff considers geology to be unique among sciences since it is primarily a science. All geologic research in­ cluding that done in laboratories must be firmly supported by field observations. The student is encouraged to develop an inquiring ob­ jective attitude and to examine critically all geological concepts and principles. The development of a mature and professional attitude toward geology and geological research is a principal concern of the department, THE BAYLOR UNIVERSITY PRESS TEXAS BAYLOR GEOLOGICAL STUDIES BULLETIN No. 24 A Geologic History of the River Lawrence Ward Epps BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Department of Geology Waco, Texas 1973 Studies EDITORIAL STAFF Jean M. Spencer, M.S., Editor environmental and medical geology O. T. Ph.D., Advisor, Cartographic Editor urban geology and what have you R. L. Bronaugh, M.A., Business Manager archaeology, geomorphology, vertebrate paleontology James W. Dixon, Jr., Ph.D. stratigraphy, paleontology, structure Gustavo A. Morales, Ph.D. invertebrate paleontology, micropaleontology, stratigraphy, oceanography Jerry N. Namy, Ph.D. mineralogy, petrology Ellwood E. Baldwin, M.S. urban and engineering geology STUDENT EDITORIAL STAFF Elizabeth R. Davis, Associate Editor Herman J. Ledbetter, Jr., Cartographer The Baylor Geological Studies Bulletin is published Spring and Fall, by the Department of Geology at Baylor University. The Bulletin is specifical­ ly dedicated to the dissemination of geologic knowledge for the benefit of the people of Texas. The publication is designed to present the results of both pure and applied research which will ultimately be important in the economic and cultural growth of the State. Additional copies of this bulletin can be obtained from the Department of Geology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76703. $1.05 postpaid. CONTENTS Page Abstract Introduction 7 Location 7 Purpose and problem 7 Method 7 Previous work ........... 7 Acknowledgements .......... 8 Evidence of river history, present river ....... 8 Introduction 8 Meander geometry .......... 8 Hydraulic geometry . Evidence of river history, ancestral Brazos ...... 12 Introduction 12 Modern flood plain and channel characteristics 12 Terraces or abandoned flood plains ....... 19 Composition of terrace gravel . 30 Introduction 30 Statistical interpretation . 31 River Competence 33 Introduction 33 Forces acting on a bed particle . 34 Incipient motion study and the Brazos River . 34, Implications of the Brazos River history 36 Introduction 36 Early origin 36 Depositional events .......... 36 Multiple terraces and eustatic changes of sea level .... 37 Multiple terraces and paleoclimates 38 Conclusions Suggestions for future research 40 References ............ 41 Appendix A 42 Appendix B . 43 Appendix C 43 Index 44 ILLUSTRATIONS FIGURE 1. Index map of Brazos River drainage basin 2. At a station relations ...... 3. Downstream relations ...... 4. Brazos River drainage basin ..... 5. Brazos flood dart points ..... 6. Bar point stratification 7. Point bar zonation ....... 8. Upper point bar sedimentary structure 9. Upper point bar deposits reflecting changing flow regime 10. Point bar Point bar basal deposits 12. Oyster Creek meander belt ..... 13. New Brazos River delta, 1960 14. High flow sediment load, 1965 15. New Brazos River delta, 1969 16. Model core sequence for Brazos delta 17. Bedload 18. Brazos River longitudinal profile .... 19. Brazos valley profiles . 20. Brazos basin profiles ...... 21. Logs of first terrace alluvial sequences 22. Second terrace alluvium ...... 23. Second terrace longitudinal profile .... 24. Third terrace alluvium 25. Uvalde Gravel 26. Cobbel composition ....... 27. Gravel composition 28. Forces acting on a bedload particle .... .29. Pleistocene bone fragments A Geologic History of the Brazos River Lawrence Ward Epps ABSTRACT The Brazos River is a major Texas stream. Mean­ opment before incision of this area. Incision may have der scars in valley walls are much larger than those of been caused by the capture of the Clear Fork from the present river. Quantitative geomorphic analysis the Leon River in early Pleistocene. suggests that the larger meanders associated with Statistical analysis of gravel composition from the an ancestral stream having bankfull discharge to 9 channel, first terrace, and second terrace indicates sig­ times the present river and a bankfull width of ap­ nificant between levels which allows this proximately 2600 feet. criterion to be used as a correlating tool. The differ­ Deposits of lateral accretion are the dominant deposi- ences reflect changes in provenance as the Brazos basin tional units within the modern flood plain. Approxi­ evolved. mately 2 feet per thousand years is the maximum rate Large cobbles found in older alluvium suggest a of overbank sediment accumulation for the lower basin river of greater competence than the present river. The flood plain. Present average sediment load of the tractive force needed for movement of these cobbles Brazos indicates that the entire basin is being lowered would require a river both deeper and steeper than about 1 foot per thousand years. Comparison of mod­ the modern Brazos near Bryan, Texas. This supports ern point bar deposits to older alluvium within the the evidence from the meander scars. flood plain suggests that the Brazos River has changed The Brazos River may have been established as early regime since deposition of the older alluvium. This may as Eocene time, but definitely was established by Mio­ be related to the larger ancestral river. cene. Pliocene deposits of the Ogallala and Goliad Formations indicate widespread arid conditions before At least four levels of alluvial deposits are related Pleistocene time. This arid period was followed by to the Brazos River, but only three are well represented deposition of the Willis Formation which represents a throughout the basin. These terrace deposits range transitional unit between late Tertiary deposition and from 30 to more than 200 feet above the modern flood the multiple cycles of valley alluviation during Pleisto­ plain. Terrace ages are reflected by distinctive soil pro­ cene time. Streams that deposited the Willis Formation files found on the terraces. The most mature profiles had greater width-to-depth ratios and were steeper than are associated with the third terrace. streams that deposited the Brazos River terraces. The The Seymour Formation represents several periods Willis and Uvalde Formations formed a broad alluvial of valley alluviation ranging in age from Sangamon to blanket over much of the Cretaceous terrane during pre-Kansan. Slope orientation of the erosional surface earliest Pleistocene, which explains the lack of lime­ below the Seymour Formation suggests that the Double stone as a common component in gravel of the third Mountain Fork is a captured tributary of the Clear terrace in the lower basin. Fork. Eustatic sea level changes did not cause terrace de­ High gravel near Throckmorton correlates with the velopment. The primary cause of terrace development Ogallala Formation thus marking the earlier distribu­ was climatic changes associated with glacial stages. tion of this formation. Upland gravel near Lake Pos­ These climatic changes controlled river regime by in­ sum Kingdom is possibly related to flood plain devel­ fluences exerted on sediment supply and runoff. BAYLOR GEOLOGICAL STUDIES Fig. 1. Index map showing river basins in Texas and sections of Brazos River basin. GEOLOGIC HISTORY, BRAZOS RIVER 7 LOCATION PREVIOUS WORK The Brazos River basin, largest in the state of Texas, There have been few large-scale studies of the history covers about percent of the state. The drainage area of the Brazos River. References to Brazos deposits are totals 44,000 square miles, but about 9,000 square usually found as part of larger reports on paleontology, miles on the high plains are considered noncontributing county geologic surveys, and industrial mineral surveys. (Irelan and Mendieta, 1964, p. 7). From the Brazos (1901, p. 357), one of the first to publish about River headwaters on the High Plains of eastern New Brazos River deposits, included them in a discussion of Mexico to the river mouth at Freeport, Texas it flows major river deposits in central Texas. He recognized more than 1200 miles (about twice the airline distance the multilevel alluvium of the Brazos River and named between source and mouth) and drops 4600 feet. Di­ the "upland alluvium" in the Black and Grand Prairie vides separate the basin from that of the Colorado River subprovince the "Uvalde Formation," which he con­ on the southwest and the Trinity and Red Rivers on sidered Neogene in age. the northeast (fig. 1). Deussen (1924, p. 114) described the terraces of the lower Brazos River in some detail. He recognized six levels ranging from 30 to 310 feet above the river. His presentation included several valley profiles emphasiz­ PURPOSE AND PROBLEM ing paired terraces. Brazos deposits in central Texas are
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