WISCONSIN GEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY Quaternary Geology of Calumet and Manitowoc Counties, Wisconsin Bulletin 108 n 2017 David M. Mickelson Betty J. Socha Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Kenneth R. Bradbury, Director and State Geologist WGNHS staff Research associates William G. Batten, geologist Jean M. Bahr, University of John A. Luczaj, University of Eric C. Carson, geologist Wisconsin–Madison Wisconsin–Green Bay Peter M. Chase, geotechnician Mark A. Borchardt, USDA– J. Brian Mahoney, University of Agricultural Research Station Wisconsin–Eau Claire Linda G. Deith, editor Philip E. Brown, University of Shaun Marcott, University of Madeline B. Gotkowitz, hydrogeologist Wisconsin–Madison Wisconsin–Madison Brad T. Gottschalk, archivist Charles W. Byers, University of Joseph A. Mason, University Grace E. Graham, hydrogeologist Wisconsin–Madison (emeritus) of Wisconsin–Madison David J. Hart, hydrogeologist William F. Cannon, U.S. Geological Survey Daniel J. Masterpole, Chippewa Irene D. Lippelt, Michael Cardiff, University of Co. Land Conservation Dept. water resources specialist Wisconsin–Madison David M. Mickelson, University of Sushmita S. Lotlikar, William S. Cordua, University Wisconsin–Madison (emeritus) administrative manager of Wisconsin–River Falls Donald G. Mikulic, Stephen M. Mauel, GIS specialist Robert H. Dott, Jr., University of Illinois State Geological Survey M. Carol McCartney, outreach manager Wisconsin–Madison (emeritus) William N. Mode, University Michael J. Parsen, hydrogeologist Daniel T. Feinstein, of Wisconsin–Oshkosh Jill E. Pongetti, office manager U.S. Geological Survey Maureen A. Muldoon, University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh J. Elmo Rawling III, geologist Michael N. Fienen, U.S. Geological Survey Beth L. Parker, University of Guelph Caroline M.R. Rose, GIS specialist Timothy J. Grundl, University of Robert E. Pearson, Kathy Campbell Roushar, GIS specialist Wisconsin–Milwaukee Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation Peter R. Schoephoester, assistant director Nelson R. Ham, St. Norbert College Kenneth W. Potter, University Aaron N. Smetana, system administrator Paul R. Hanson, of Wisconsin–Madison Esther K. Stewart, geologist University of Nebraska–Lincoln Todd W. Rayne, Hamilton College Jay Zambito, geologist Karen G. Havholm, University Daniel D. Reid, and approximately 15 graduate and of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation undergraduate student workers Randy J. Hunt, U.S. Geological Survey Randall J. Schaetzl, John L. Isbell, University of Michigan State University Emeritus staff Wisconsin–Milwaukee Allan F. Schneider, University of John W. Attig, geologist Mark D. Johnson, Wisconsin–Parkside (emeritus) Bruce A. Brown, geologist University of Gothenburg Madeline E. Schreiber, Virginia Tech Thomas J. Evans, geologist Joanne L. Kluessendorf, Susan K. Swanson, Beloit College Weis Earth Science Museum Ronald G. Hennings, hydrogeologist Kent M. Syverson, University George J. Kraft, Central Wisconsin of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Frederick W. Madison, soil scientist Groundwater Center Lucas Zoet, University of Stanley A. Nichols, biologist Evan R. Larson, University of Wisconsin–Madison Deborah L. Patterson, GIS specialist Wisconsin–Platteville Roger M. Peters, subsurface geologist James M. Robertson, geologist The Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey also maintains collaborative relationships with a number of local, state, regional, and federal agencies and organizations regarding educational outreach and a broad range of natural resource issues. Bulletin 108 n 2017 Quaternary Geology of Calumet and Manitowoc Counties, Wisconsin David M. Mickelson PROFESSOR EMERITUS, DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MADISON Betty J. Socha SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER/ HYDROGEOLOGIST, SCS ENGINEERS, MADISON, WISCONSIN Suggested citation: Mickelson, D.M., and Socha, B.J., 2017, Quaternary geology of Calumet and Manitowoc Counties, Wisconsin: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin 108, 60 p., 2 pls. Research supported by the U.S. Geological Survey, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, under USGS StateMap awards 1434HQ96AG01527 and 1434HQ97AG01815 (Manitowoc County) and USGS EdMap awards 1434HQ96AG01555 and 1434HQ97AG01732 (Calumet County). The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government. Published by and available from: Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey 3817 Mineral Point Road n Madison, Wisconsin 53705-5100 608.263.7389 n www.WisconsinGeologicalSurvey.org Kenneth R. Bradbury, Director and State Geologist ISSN: 0375-8265 ISBN: 978-0-88169-995-1 Cover photos Front: Brillion esker, © William Mode Back: Brillion esker sediment, © William Mode Contents Abstract . 1 Sediments and lithostratigraphy . 34 . 2 Introduction Hayton Formation . 34 Map and cross-section reliability . 2 Holy Hill Formation . 34 Summary of geologic history . 3 Kewaunee Formation . 39 Ozaukee Member The Paleozoic Era: An overview . 3 (Lake Michigan Lobe) . 39 Overview of Quaternary history . 8 Branch River Member Understanding plates 1 and 2 . 9 (Green Bay Lobe) . 39 Chilton Member Landform distribution (Green Bay Lobe) . 39 and genesis . 12 Valders Member (Lake Michigan Lobe) . 41 Fox River lowland . 12 Two Creeks Forest Bed . 41 Niagara Escarpment . 13 Glenmore Member Streamlined landscape (Green Bay Lobe) . 41 (Holy Hill Formation). 13 Two Rivers Member The Kettle Moraine . 15 (Lake Michigan Lobe) . 46 Palimpsest landscape beneath the Chilton and Glacial history . 47 Valders Members . 16 Summary of glacial events . 47 Streamlined landscape . 17 Hummocky topography . 17 In retrospect . 52 Outwash plains . 18 Glossary . 53 Eskers . 20 Lake Michigan Lobe References cited. 55 moraines south and west of the Twin Rivers lowland . 24 Acknowledgments . 60 Manitowoc River–Twin Rivers lowland and Point Beach . 25 Two Rivers moraine . 31 Quaternary Geology of Calumet and Manitowoc Counties, Wisconsin Figures 18. Topographic map of the 34. Photo of Two Creeks Forest Bed Brillion esker . 20 along Lake Michigan . 44 1. Geologic time scale. .3 19. Photo of Chilton diamicton 35. Photo of rooted stump in Two 2. Bedrock geology. 4 sandwiched between layers of Creeks Forest Bed exposed in 3. Sketch of geologic units gravel at edge of Brillion esker . 21 bluff along Lake Michigan. 44 beneath Calumet and 20. The broad bottom of the Manitowoc Counties . 4 Manitowoc River valley, Focus boxes 4. Bedrock elevation map . 5 an underfit stream . 22 1. Fox River lowland and 5. Place names in Calumet and 21. Topographic map showing glacial Lake Oshkosh . 13 Manitowoc Counties . .6 the three shallow channels 2. Manitowoc River and 6. Reconstructed preglacial through which water from glacial glacial Lake Oshkosh . 22 Lake Oshkosh flowed into the stream pattern and 3. Former levels of Lake Michigan . 25 present-day drainage . 7 Manitowoc River outlet . 23 4. Engineering properties 7. 22. Detailed interpretation of river Shaded-relief map showing of till units . 37 location of the Niagara and lake terraces in the West 5. Escarpment in eastern Wisconsin 7 Twin River and the Manitowoc Unresolved River valleys . 27 stratigraphic questions . 40 8. Map showing glacial lobes 6. at maximum extent of the 23. Topographic map of delta at History of stratigraphic Wisconsin Glaciation . 8 the mouth of the West Twin River interpretations of reddish clayey built during the Glenwood stage till in northeastern Wisconsin . 42 9. Photo of striations on of Lake Michigan . 28 7. horizontal bedrock surface More about the at Valders Quarry . 9 24. Topographic map of dunes at Two Creeks Forest Bed . 43 Fischer Creek Conservation Area 29 8. 10. Extent of glaciers and large Paleoglaciology: lakes at six times in the past . 10 25. Topographic map of Reconstructing ice surfaces . 48 Point Beach State Park . 30 9. 11. Shaded-relief map showing Tundra environments . 50 physiographic regions . 12 26. East–west cross section from Molash Swamp to Lake Michigan Tables 12. Topographic map of shore at Point Beach State Park . 30 streamlined topography in 1. Quaternary lithostratigraphic southern Calumet County. 14 27. Photo of swale and beach ridges units of Calumet and taken from entrance road to Manitowoc Counties . .8 13. Topographic map showing Point Beach State Park . 31 St. Anna moraine in southern 2. Summary of magnetic Calumet County . 15 28. Topographic map of Nipissing susceptibility, grain size, and stage dunes and beach ridges carbonate content of till in 14. Topographic map showing west of Two Rivers . 32 each stratigraphic unit . 35 northern Kettle Moraine and many kettle lakes formed when 29. Cross section of Nipissing stage 3. Engineering properties of till buried ice blocks melted out . 16 deposits at Woodland Dunes units in Manitowoc County . 37 Nature Preserve . 32 15. Photo from Fricke gravel 4. Compressibility and pit showing a kettle hole in 30. Air photo of low-relief preconsolidation values for collapsed Holy Hill Formation hummocky topography of Kewaunee tills in eastern gravel filled with Valders till the Two Rivers moraine . 33 Wisconsin . 38 and some laminated silty lake 31. Triangular diagrams showing sediment. 17 percent sand, silt, and clay of Plates (available separately) 16. Topographic map of till in each stratigraphic unit. 36 1. Quaternary geology of Calumet hummocky sand and gravel in 32. Map showing known Two Creeks and Manitowoc