Wave-O-Saurus at floodstage courtesy kayakphoto.com
The Dinosaur Footprint Park and Wave-O-Saurus are to thank The Trustees of Reservations for allowing us to enjoy these wonderful gifts of nature.
Driving North up historic Rt. 5 following the Connecticut River in the northern end of the town of Holyoke, Massachusetts is an 8 acre preservation site on the banks of the Connecticut River saved by the Trustees of Reservations. At this site 190 million year old dinosaurs now live in harmony with modern day surfers. To paleontology enthusiasts it is known as the Dinosaur Footprint Reservation hosting hundreds of preserved dinosaur tracks on the western bank of the Connecticut River, but to the beach going surfers, it is known as the home of the infamous surfing play hole called, Wave-O-Saurus. Here at this reservation one has the opportunity to walk amongst the dinosaurs that lived in the Pioneer Valley over 190 million years ago during the early Jurassic Period. With the expansion of Rt 5 back in the 1980s for the newly built Highway Rt. 91 a new attraction was revealed to the public. A large flat surface of grey sandstone was exposed that continues under the highway containing Eubrontes Trackways and Grallator Trackways. Paleontologists who have studied the site were to conclude from this location the hypothesis that dinosaurs of this age may have travelled in herds as many of the Eubrontes Trackways all go in the same direction underneath the highway. The eubrontes tracks may have been from the known dinosaur of Dilophosaurus and the grallator tracks at the site may be from the dinosaur Coelophysis. Though no known skeletons have been found to link a specific dinosaur to the actual trackmakers this is the current accepted interpretation by scientists.
Sandstone surface containing Eubrontes Trackways going under Rt 5
One of the many Eubrontes tracks on the upper exposure near Rt. 5
One of the Eubrontes trackways heading under Rt. 5
Typical ripple beds with footprints exposed on the reservation by upper layer.
Gracie sniffing out dinosaur tracks on the upper layer.
Before the construction on Rt. 5 there has long been an exposure down by the edge of the water with many ridgebacks of grey sandstone jutting up out of the water. On these sandstone exposures similar dinosaur footprints are seen like those up by the edge of Rt. 5. Here in the summertime it is a great swimming location and beach area to relax, work on a tan, and enjoy the water on a hot summer day. Picnics are frequent on the tilted sandstone slabs of this prehistoric beach and the views of Mt. Tom and the Connecticut River are spectacular. Everywhere you walk on the sandstone you will see dinosaur footprints preserved in the ancient rock. Some have been chiseled around to see easier while others let your eyes discover the in situ trackways in their natural state. Just a few feet out into the water of the Connecticut River, one will see a series of tilted grey sandstone outcroppings. At drought stage they are completely connected to the beach area and on most normal days a pathway of water cuts between the uplifted layers. However every now and then the right conditions come together in the early spring when a new dinosaur comes alive. This dinosaur is referred by the surfing community as the Wave-O-Saurus. Wave-O-Saurus is a rare phenomenom that occurs when the water current reaches flood stage at close to 80000-100000cfs during the spring snow run off into the Connecticut River. At this high water stage those grey sandstone outcrops in the water are completely submerged by the river and a unique trough or play hole is formed that creates the perfect conditions for surfers to come out with their surfboards and kayaks in full force to ride this freak wave known as Wave-O-Saurus. So if you are passing through the Pioneer Valley near Holyoke, MA in the early springtime take a short detour to visit two of nature's wonderful gifts: The Dinosaur Tracks and Wave-O-Saurus. Spend some time walking where the dinosaurs roamed, have a picnic, and test out your surfing skills if up for the challenge.
The tilted sandstone ledges along CT River
Eubrontes footprint from lower banks along CT River
Exposed surfaces in background where Wave-O-Saurus forms at floodstage
Wave-O-Saurus as we saw it in March 2011.
Nice Grallator from the beach exposure
Dianne talking tracks to local Holyoke surfers who were checking the conditions of Wave-O-Saurus
Youtube.com Videos of Wave-O-Saurus
Note: All photos are copyrighted by John McCauley 2011 and one by kayakphotos.com. Please do not use without permission. Thank You.
