Potsdam Potholes

Posted by WiseAcre on Oct 23rd, 2008
2008
Oct 23

Any driver that gets remotely close to these potholes is going to need a new vehicle and their head examined. Yet no road crew will ever patch these holes. Why? Because you’d have to drive over a cliff to land anywhere close to them.

Pothole in sandstone riverbed

Glacial potholes are common in the north country. These where found in the river bed of the Raquette River below the dam at Hannawa Falls. If you want to see them in person I suggest parking at the Red Sandstone Trail’s southern starting point by the fire hall and following the trail to the ‘whitewater’. You’ll need to go down to the face of the dam and then follow the river downstream a little way. Caution is necessary. The dam can release water at anytime so stay on the high ground. It’s easy enough to see the high water marks so use a little common sense.

Pothole in sandstone

These holes where formed by rushing water swirling sand, gravel and stones. Over time the holes are carved deeper and deeper and the process is still happening. During spring runoff season the river swells and rushes downstream with unimaginable force.

Pothole with stone

I was surprised to find a ‘new’ pothole forming with the craving rock still in place. I can’t be the first person to find it and thank all that did for not removing the rock.

Stone in pothole

Did you notice the fleabane in the first photo. It was pretty unfocused but the photo was clear enought to see that it was growing out of a crack in nothing but bedrock. In both life and hardscape Nature has a way of inspiring awe. Except maybe in anyone who would take a scenic drive to see this landscape.

4 Responses

  1. bamapat Says:
    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:42 pm

    Great photos as always. I have hiked that trail and getting down to the water’s edge is tricky. As for potholes, amazing ain’t they. Love that the rock has been left there for all to see….good job.

    By the by, glad to see you’re back — you were missed — a little break is good for the soul — what? You don’t believe me — life is life!!!

    bamapat,
    There are only a couple places where river access is easy. The ‘whitewater’ trail by the Hannawa dam is one but it only goes to the dam face - then you have to scramble over loose rock and jump boulders to get downriver far enough to meet the trail near half way mark. The northern end of the trail has a canoe access - over the giant hydro pipe and that’s about it - no riverside trail there.

    The last ‘job’ did a job on me. Sitting at the computer was not an option. Too tired and sore to sit but the TV drove me back - better to suffer a sore back than rot the brain.

  2. mimmylynn Says:
    October 23rd, 2008 at 8:31 pm

    Nature is truly a marvel!

    mimmylynn,
    Whether you credit God or Nature we’ve been given a marvelous world to enjoy :)

  3. Ratty Says:
    October 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 pm

    The fleabane was one of the first things I noticed, even though I didn’t know what it was. It kind of stood out.

    Ratty,
    Think we should change rock - scissors - paper to rock - scissors - plant. Forget paper covering rock - plants suck life out of rocks.

  4. Benjamin Says:
    October 26th, 2008 at 9:14 pm

    I want one! How do I get it? :)

    Benjamin,
    I know a spot in a pasture where I could cut one out of the bedrock. The labor could add up but it’s the postage that would really erode your bank account.

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