Letchworth Gorge in New York has three waterfalls along the Genesee River, which flows north to Lake Ontario at Rochester. The video argues that its inner channels were carved during the final, waning stages of a catastrophic flood—not during initial erosion—and that floodwater first stripped soil before following bedrock fractures and faults. It says the canyon was brim-full at flood peak and that the gorge and Finger Lakes were cut in the same event or sequence. It reads V-shaped channels as slow erosion and vertical or overhanging walls as catastrophic erosion.
Video argues Letchworth inner channel formed in a waning megaflood
Key facts
- Letchworth Gorge has three waterfalls along the Genesee River, which flows north into Lake Ontario at Rochester.
- The video argues that Letchworth's inner channels were cut during the final stages of a waning megaflood, rather than during the gorge's initial erosion.
- The video interprets V-shaped channels as slow erosion and vertical or overhanging walls as catastrophic erosion.
- The video says floodwater first stripped away soil, described as reaching 200 feet thick near Palouse Falls, and then followed fractures and faults in bedrock.
- The video argues that Letchworth Canyon was filled to the brim at the flood's peak.
- The video argues that the cutting of Letchworth Canyon and the formation of the Finger Lakes were part of the same event or sequence.
Sources
Letchworth State Park - Park and Waterfall Guide (New York)nyfalls.com
Most people come to Letchworth State Park to see the 3 popular waterfalls: Lower, Middle and Upper Genesee Falls, which can all be easily found by travelling ...
10 Best waterfall trails in Letchworth State Parkalltrails.com
#1 - Lower Falls via Portage Bridge · #2 - Inspiration Point and Lower Falls via Gorge Trail · #3 - Lower Falls and Gorge Trail · #4 - Letchworth Gorge and Hemlock ...
The Waterfalls of Letchworth State Park - Alexandersmapalexandersmap.com
The three waterfalls in the southern section of the park are the Upper Falls, Middle Falls and Lower Falls. The Lower Falls are further away … ...
Letchworth State Parken.wikipedia.org
The park prominently features three large waterfalls – the Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls – on the Genesee River, which flows within a deep gorge that winds ...
Letchworth State Park - Hiking, Waterfall and Camping Guidemakingmyownlane.com
The three main waterfalls, Upper Falls, Middle Falls and Lower Falls, and the 600-foot deep Genesee River Gorge are awe-inspiring.
Buffalo District's Mount Morris Dam offers flood of benefits ...army.mil
"The reservoir in the river gorge holds water and significantly reduces risk damages during catastrophic flooding events in downstream areas, ...
Letchworth State Parknyheritage.org
The flooding of 1972 caused the Genesee River to rise high above its usual height and flow with abnormal ferocity. It barely held the flood at bay, protecting ...
Letchworth Gorge | The New York State Museumnysm.nysed.gov
Since 1954, with completion of the Mount Morris dam (a major flood control project), the bottom of the gorge is periodically flooded.
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