Old Delta Sediments
Diverted into this valley by lava flows,
Bear River deposited a huge, mostly red
clay, delta here where it entered a vast
inland sea that covered much of Utah.
Some 14,500 years ago, its shoreline here
suddenly went down about 80 feet following an
enormous discharge into Snake River. From then
on, it gradually receded to become Salt Lake.
Bear River then had to cut through and erode
its old delta, forming steep sides and gullies
you see here today.
