The Geography of the Region about Devil's Lake and the Dalles of the Wisconsin: With Some Notes on Its Surface GeologySalisbury, Rollin D.
Science
The Geography of the Region about Devil's Lake and the Dalles of the Wisconsin: With Some Notes on Its Surface Geology
Salisbury, Rollin D.
Physical geography; Wisconsin -- Description and travel
The fourth narrows is across the South range (i, Plate II). It is not
now occupied by a stream, though like the others it was cut by a stream,
which was afterwards shut out from it. Because of its depth, 600 feet,
and the ruggedness of its slopes, and because of its occupancy by the
lake, this pass is the center of interest for the whole region. So much
has already been said concerning it in other portions of this report
that further description is here omitted. The manner in which the pass
was robbed of its stream will be discussed later.
The history of these several narrows, up to the time of the glacial
period may now be summarized. Since remnants of Potsdam sandstone are
found in some of them, it is clear that they existed in pre-Cambrian
time,[6] and there is no reason to doubt that they are the work of the
streams of those ancient days, working as streams now work. Following
the pre-Cambrian period of erosion during which the notches were cut,
came the submergence of the region, and the gaps were filled with sand
and gravel, and finally the ridges themselves were buried. Uplift and a
second period of erosion followed, during which the quartzite ranges
were again exposed by the removal of the beds which overlay them, and
the narrows cleaned out and deepened, and again occupied by streams.
This condition of things lasted up to the time when the ice invaded the
region.
[6] It is not here asserted that these notches were as deep
as now, in pre-Cambrian time. It is, however, certain that
the quartzite was deeply eroded, previous to the deposition
of the Potsdam sandstone.
_Glens._--No enumeration of the special scenic features of this region
would be complete without mention of Parfrey's and Dorward's glens (a
and b, Plate XXXVII, and Plate XXV). Attention has already been
directed to them as illustrations of young valleys, and as places where
the Potsdam conglomerate is well shown, but they are attractive from the
scenic point of view. Their frequent mention in earlier parts of this
report makes further reference to them at this point unnecessary.
[Illustration: WISCONSIN GEOL. AND NAT. HIST. SURVEY. BULLETIN NO. V.,
PL. XXV.
In Dorward's Glen. The basal conglomerate of the Potsdam formation is
shown at the lower right-hand corner, and is overlain by sandstone.
(Photograph furnished by Mr. Wilfred Dorward).]
[Illustration: WISCONSIN GEOL. AND NAT. HIST. SURVEY. BULLETIN NO. V.,
PL. XXVI.
Natural bridge near Denzer.]
[Illustration: WISCONSIN GEOL. AND NAT. HIST. SURVEY. BULLETIN NO. V.,
PL. XXVII.
Navy Yard. Dalles of the Wisconsin.]
Pine Hollow (k, Plate II) is another attractive gorge on the south flank
of the greater quartzite range. The rock at this point is especially
well exposed. This gorge is beyond the drift-covered portion of the
range, and therefore dates from the pre-glacial time.
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