MAPPING SARATOGA SPRINGS SURFICIAL GEOLGY: GLACIAL LAKES, RIVERS, AND A BURIED VALLEY

The upper Hudson valley has most recently been influenced by the Laurentide Ice Sheet and the subsequent drainage of various stages of Glacial Lake Albany. As part of an upper-level field techniques course at Skidmore College, the surface and subsurface geologic record of the Saratoga Springs 7.5 minute USGS quadrangle were investigated. The resulting maps were then used to create a model of glacial processes that sculpted the region. We collected and compiled 44 sediment samples, 20 bedrock attitude measurements, and 71 water well logs. Using ArcGIS, the surficial geology, drift thickness, and bedrock elevation were mapped. The surface geology was investigated by traveling across the area using a hand auger for the surface sediments as well as a Brunton compass to characterize exposed bedrock. The quadrangle was dominated by fine to medium sand. Diamicton is distributed throughout the area and is associated with streamlined features in the northwest portion of the map. Sedimentary bedrock and metamorphic bedrock are exposed mostly to the north. Drift thickness was determined from water well logs and ranges from 0m in the northern area of the map to greater than 50m thick across the central portion. A bedrock elevation map was generated by subtracting the drift thickness from the surface elevation. The bedrock elevation ranges from 40-200 m AMSL with the highest elevation to the north. The map suggests a buried channel extending from northwest toward the east. The nature of the sediment suggest a dominantly glaciolacustrine environment with influences from glaciofluvial inputs.