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This is a very short summary of our 2024 Year-in-Review report prepared for you, our members, who provide most of our support and much of the reason for the various materials, activities and events we provide. You can read the entire detailed report on our website.
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In 1996, we started with 11 members. At the end of 2024, we have 587 members in 20 US states, Canada and Germany. While we have nearly six hundred members, most of the work is done by a small number of people. All of your institute and chapter leaders are volunteers. We are always looking for people willing to work with us to help develop and conduct chapter programs. If you think you might be interested, please contact your chapter president or board members. All help is appreciated, both small and large.
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Prepared January 4, 2025, by Gary Ford, IAFI President
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Our eleven local chapter’s lectures, field trips and hikes are possibly the most effective way we fulfill our mission to inform and educate the public about the Ice Age Floods and their long-lasting impact. IAFI projects at the Institute board level generally benefit more than one chapter or do work that all chapters might not be able to do by themselves.
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In 2024 we had 37 in-person lectures attended by over 1425 people with many more viewers on YouTube. In addition, our chapters conducted 22 field trips with 735 attendees and 7 hikes with 106 attendees. IAFI also shares resources and knowledge in collaborations and partnerships with over 30 other professional organizations, universities and state/federal agencies to present up-to-date information to our members and communities.
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IAFI is a non-profit organization supported by membership dues, donations, and profit from store sales. Our funds are used for new and existing educational and informative materials and programs related to the Floods story, insurance, contract labor and to cover unplanned expenses. We appreciate your continued support, friendship and membership.
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Celebrating Ice Age Floods Institute's 30th Anniversary
The annual IAFI Membership Meeting is coming to the Columbia Gorge this May 2-3, 2025, and all our members and their guests are cordially invited to come experience some of the best and most interesting features the Gorge has to offer. There'll be opportunities to explore storied Gorge wildflowers and native plants, geology and winery field trips, whitewater rafting, a membership meeting/dinner and a presentation by the ever-entertaining Nick Zenter.
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Friday, May 2nd Activities
Friday, May 2nd, will be action packed with activities during the day. Choose between a guided Spring Wildflower Walk, a Journey Through Terroir field trip, an Unveiling the Gorge field trip, or opportunities (available every day) for full-day or half-day adventure whitewater raft trips on the Klickitat or White Salmon Rivers with Wet Planet Rafting, a local world-class rafting company. Spaces on the Friday activities will be limited, but if there is sufficient waitlist interest they may be repeated on Sunday, May 4, extending the celebration to a full 3 days. The evening will feature our members meeting and dinner, followed by an entertaining and informative presentation by the inimitable Nick Zenter exploring and geolocating J Harlan Bretz's field notes.
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Spaces are limited so Reserve Today ($10 members/guests, $25 general public) for your chance to experience an unforgettable magical adventure on the Rowena Plateau. Read more...
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Spring Wildflower Walk - On Friday, May 2nd, prepare to be captivated as Barbara Robinson, a renowned native plants expert, leads you on a spectacular Wildflower Walk through Tom McCall Preserve on the Rowena Plateau. Located in the transition zone between the moist, heavily-forested west side of the Cascades and the drier bunch grass prairies of the east, the easy Plateau Trail immerses you in a vibrant tapestry of springtime wildflowers that cover grasslands full of arrowleaf balsamroot, lupine, bachelor's button, and other spectacular wildflowers blooming at your feet. You’ll meander through breathtaking panoramas of the Columbia River Gorge unfolding before you, imagining the raw power of nature that created the enigmatic mound-and-swale topography and kolk pond landforms sculpted by ancient forces of volcanic eruptions and Ice Age floods that flowed 200 feet above your head. You'll meet Barbara at the Rowena Crest parking circle at 11:00 AM, Friday. May 2nd (Google Maps link).
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Embark on a Journey Through Terroir - Experience the magic of the Columbia Gorge Wine Region with renowned soil scientist and vineyard consultant, Alan Busacca. This exclusive bus tour takes you deep into the heart of this unique region, where dramatic landscapes and diverse microclimates create wines of extraordinary character. You'll visit stunning vineyards, sample award-winning wines, and uncover the fascinating science behind their unique flavors. Learn how volcanic soils, extreme rainfall gradients, and powerful winds all contribute to the distinctive taste of each wine. From lush, forested hillsides to sun-drenched high-desert slopes, this is your chance to experience the incredible diversity of this "World of Wine in Forty Miles." and taste the sensory adventure of the Columbia Gorge firsthand.
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Unveiling the Gorge Field Trip - The walls of the Columbia Gorge expose layer upon layer of similar appearing Columbia River Basalt. But exposed within those walls are features that tell unusual stories of geologic events, cultural history and inspire imaginative tales. On this field trip we’ll stop and discuss many of those features and their stories as we do a 50-mile bus loop through some of the most spectacular scenic vistas the Gorge has to offer. Maars, lahars, pillows, petroglyphs, even an exotic side trip, plus much more will expand your vision and tickle your imagination. Lunch at a scenic overlook (order a box lunch or bring your own) May 2nd, 10:00 AM, limited to 33 seats.
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Whitewater Rafting Excitement Awaits! For the adventurous spirit, experience the thrill of whitewater rafting on the iconic Wild & Scenic White Salmon or Klickitat Rivers. Enjoy half-day or full-day trips with experienced guides who ensure a safe and exciting journey for all skill levels. Navigate thrilling Class II-IV rapids, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Glide through crystal-clear waters fed by the glaciers of Mt. Adams, surrounded by thick pine forests, steep canyons, and majestic basalt cliffs.Escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the true wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. Not IAFI sponsored or led event.
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Trips available daily through Wet Planet Rafting (White Salmon 1/2-day $86, Klickitat full-day $125)
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Membership Gathering, Dinner and Special Presentation - The evening will begin with a guided native plants tour guided by Barbara Robinson around the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center grounds and an opportunity to visit the museum's displays. Then we'll gather in the auditorium for the membership meeting, followed by a buffet pasta dinner at 5:30 in the Discovery Center's Basalt Rock Cafe. Reserve your meal now. Afterward, at 7:00) we'll return to the auditorium for the high point of the evening, the main presentation of the evening by the amazing Nick Zenter about his recent collaboration work to document and share the field notes and journal revelations of J Harlan Bretz. Reserve today! ($10 members/guests, $25 general public)
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Saturday, May 3rd Activity
Ice Age Floods Gorge Geology
Explore evidence of the Ice Age Floods in the Columbia Gorge with guidance from USGS geologists Jim O'Connor and Richard Waitt. This field trip will examine the geology of the Columbia River Gorge, especially the effects of the Ice Age Missoula floods, examining key sites and discussing the latest research. Learn more about the Missoula Floods, explore dramatic flood landforms, and enjoy beautiful vistas, lunch at the Deschutes River Park (order a box lunch or bring your own), and a no-host afternoon recap at Maryhill Winery. May 3rd, 9:00 AM. Seats Limited Book your seat today! ($45 members/guests, $60 general public)
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Sunday, May 4th Activities?
Friday's field trips may be repeated on Sunday IF they're filled early AND there's enough waitlist interest.
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There's much more to see/do in the Gorge to keep you fascinated and engaged.
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There’s so much more to see and do that we can’t even begin to list it all.
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Note: The Columbia Gorge in May can be warm/cool, dry/wet, calm/windy, and some tours will involve roadside off/on the bus stops and short walks, so dress appropriately and wear comfortable walking shoes.
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Justin Radford, Program Manager for the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, has just returned from his temporary assignment as Acting Park Manager at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area with a great article about the area.
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Traveling east along Lake Roosevelt from the Grand Coulee brings you closer to an area steeped in geological and historical intrigue. This journey not only unveils the legacy of ancient Glacial Lake Columbia but also leads to one of the most captivating sections of the Channeled Scablands: the Telford Tract. A critical player in the narrative of Ice Age floods, the Telford Tract offers a striking example of the power and scope of these ancient cataclysmic events.
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The Role of Glacial Lake Columbia
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The current Lake Roosevelt occupies much of the previous western Glacial Lake Columbia area, a massive lake formed when glacial ice blocked the Columbia River’s southwestward flow. The lake’s height and timing had a dramatic influence on the routes taken by the incoming Glacial Lake Missoula floodwaters. A portion of these immense floods, among the largest known in Earth's history, surged south through the Telford region, carving canyons, depositing sediments, and shaping the land into what we now call the Channeled Scablands.
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J Harlen Bretz, the geologist who first described the scablands in detail, outlined these pathways or “tracts” in his seminal 1928 paper, The Channeled Scabland of Eastern Washington. Among the four major scabland tracts Bretz identified, the Telford-Crab Creek Tract is particularly significant for its geological features and historical context:
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“The Telford-Crab Creek scabland tract…heads in the vicinity of Telford station…as wide as the Cheney-Palouse River tract…convergence of all these (and of all but one of the Cheney-Palouse River divergences) occurs in a wide shallow structural sag (Quincy Basin) in the western part of the plateau. In this basin is the largest single area of gravel left by the glacial waters…There is continuous scabland northward from all channel heads of this tract across the plateau divide to the limits reached by the ice sheet.”
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Exploring the Telford Tract Today
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The Telford Tract, adjacent to the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness the scars of Ice Age floods. Once a 900-acre homestead, the tract’s eroded flood channels and gravel deposits serve as a testament to the massive forces that shaped this region. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Telford Recreation Area invites visitors to explore this geological marvel. Hiking trails weave through remnants of these ancient waterways, offering a chance to immerse yourself in one of the major routes of the Missoula Floodwaters. Check out these resources to help plan your visit: BLM Telford Recreation Area and Washington Trails Association: Telford Recreation Area
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Beyond Telford: Exploring Upper Crab Creek
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For those looking to expand their journey through this region, the Telford Tract’s channels eventually connect to Crab Creek, another iconic feature shaped by glacial waters. The Upper Crab Creek Field Trip offers a deeper dive into this fascinating landscape, combining geological exploration with breathtaking scenery. In 2013 Karl Lillquist and Jack Powell created an Upper Crab Creek Field Trip guide for the Ellensburg Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute.
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A Landscape Worth Protecting
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The Telford Tract exemplifies the dynamic history of the Channeled Scablands and the profound environmental changes brought about by Ice Age floods. As part of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, this area’s preservation ensures that future generations can continue to learn from and appreciate its unique geological story. Whether you are a geology enthusiast, history buff, or outdoor adventurer, the Telford Tract promises an unforgettable experience. This landscape, shaped by forces beyond imagination, stands as a humbling reminder of nature’s power and its enduring impact on the Earth’s surface.
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Article by Justin Radford, Program Manager for the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
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Science in the News
To feed our members' interest in life-long learning, we share information about the Floods and other science topics. Use our online form to submit an article or question that others might appreciate.
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Yellowstone's Prismatic Pool
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New research indicates it likely won't blow today, but one region on Yellowstone's northeastern side is likely to host liquid magma in the long term, possibly fueling future eruptions hundreds of thousands of years from now.
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Yellowstone's melted magma lurks in four separate reservoirs within the crust of the caldera. The western reservoirs do not touch the deep mantle rocks that would heat them from below so they will likely start to cool and solidify. But to the northeast, mantle rocks are heating the magma trapped in the crust keeping them liquid and eruptable.
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Using measurements of earthquake waves and magnetotellurics (measurements of subterranean magma magnetic fields) researchers mapped four main hidden pockets of magma that together contain more liquid magma than was present during large, caldera-forming eruptions at Yellowstone in the past (2.8 MYA, 1.3 MYA and 640,000 years ago).
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These magma pockets rest as deep as about 6 or 7 miles below the surface, but only in the northeastern region of the caldera is the magma in touch with hot mantle rock that will keep the magma liquid in the long term. Despite the large volume of magma pooling below Yellowstone, the caldera isn't likely to erupt anytime soon. The magma sits in pore spaces in solid rock, much like water in a sponge. The estimated fraction of magma filled pores is 20% or less, but only when more than 40% of pore spaces are filled can the magma link up, get mobile and start erupting.
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But that could change over tens of thousands of years as mantle rock warms the northeastern magma pools. Exactly how long that will take, or if it will happen before the mantle rocks in the northeastern region of Yellowstone lose contact with its magma reservoir, remains unknown.
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Scientists say Axial, an undersea volcano off the coast of Oregon is probably going to erupt in 2025. The volcano, known as Axial, is a seamount 300 miles (480 kilometers) west of Cannon Beach, Oregon. The Axial seamount erupts regularly — it rumbled to life in 1998, 2011 and 2015, according to a blog by scientists monitoring the seamount — and it doesn't pose a threat to people. But because of the seamount's regular activity and its relative proximity to land, researchers made it the site of the world's first underwater volcano observatory, known as the New Millennium Observatory.
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Now, the monitors at Axial are showing that the surface of the seamount is inflating — a sign of moving magma that likely presages an eruption, William Chadwick, a geologist at Oregon State University who studies the volcano and its nearby hydrothermal vents, reported at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in December 2024. The volcano's surface has now risen to 95% of what it was before the 2015 eruption, Chadwick reported.
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The activity follows a period of quiet between 2015 to 2023, during which the seamount barely budged. The new rise began in the fall of 2023 and increased in January 2024, with the ground moving upward at a rate of about 10 inches (25 centimeters) per year as of mid-2024. This inflation was accompanied by swarms of hundreds of small earthquakes. Since then, the inflation rate has stabilized, Chadwick reported in his blog.
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"The rate of inflation at Axial has been steady for the last 6 months and the rate of seismicity has moderated," he wrote. "An eruption does not seem imminent, but it can't do this forever."
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He and his co-author Scott Nooner, a geophysicist at the University of North Carolina Wilmington suspect that the volcano will erupt before the end of 2025.
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The scientists are hopeful that their prediction is correct, because the well-monitored Axial is a promising location to work out the patterns a volcano experiences before eruption. The fact that the volcano has recently erupted several times over two decades – rather than once in centuries, like many volcanoes – makes discerning patterns easier. Researchers are also more comfortable offering tentative predictions for a volcano that doesn't threaten life or property, because there are no downsides to being wrong. Volcanologists can currently make accurate short-term predictions of eruptions, but according to the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, predictions are rarely reliable more than a few days in advance.
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January 16, Debacle That Swept the Columbia Plateau 100 years on, Lower Columbia
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January 29, New Interpretations of Old Strandlines, Missoula
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February 12, Google Earth & the Field Notes of Bretz & Pardee, Cheney-Spokane
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March 4, Terroir and the Floods, Puget Lobe
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April 15, Mapping the Pacific Northwest’s Glacial Legacy, Cheney-Spokane
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April 28, How Ice Age Floods Changed the Palouse River Course, Cheney-Spokane
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May 2-3, 2025 IAFI Membership Meeting – Gorge-ous Gathering, Columbia Gorge
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May 5, 1.5 Million Years of Climate Data from the Antarctic Drilling Project, Puget Lobe
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May 14, How Do They Know? Major Ice Age Floods Findings , Cheney-Spokane
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THANK YOU 2024 IAFI MEMBER SUPPORTERS
Every member at every membership level is vital to IAFI’s continued success. Your support helps us meet our mission of sharing the Ice Age Floods story with the public and continuing our work on the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Every gift counts, no matter the size. Thank you for making the IAFI what it is today and for helping shape it for the future
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2024 Sustaining Members
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Jay Beach Sue Billings Donald Chadbourne James Chase David Hatfield Mary R. Lewis Gary Marlow.
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Alex & Linda McGregor John Robert & Sharon E. Moody Kathleen Myers Tom Ring Jeff Schmelzer Craig Smithson Jan Strobeck
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Michael Teegarden Steven N. Trautwein Jim & Ann Warrington Trivelpiece Harriet Van Wyck Dean Wheelon Greg Whitehead Michael Zanol.
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Brian & Ann M. Ayers Victor R. Baker Jeff Becklund Nancy J. Biggerstaff Shari & Eric Bosler Van Brinkerhoff Bill & Sharon Burke David Carstens Cynde & Alan Chatham Catherine & Daniel Speth Clemens Lloyd & Lorrie DeKay Jill & Scott Eckberg Gary & Barbara Ford Richard & Judy Hademan-Frith Frith Scott Harrington Erika & Curtis Hennings Lorin&Janni Hills Douglas Huber.
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Pat Jamieson Bruce Jividen Jim Kite Garith & Oretta Krause George Last Patricia Long Jonathan Lord Ron & Denise Zembryki Mamajek Clark & Joyce Markell Glenn Marquardt Michael & Linda McCollum Andy McGregor Judy & Steve Meyer Jack & Anne Middleton P. Erik Mikkelsen Michael G. Millsap C. Victor & Susanne Yarbrough Miskowiec III
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Chris & Carla Chiotti Murray
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Nancy Nelson Andrew Evan Newell Laird & Shawna Parry John R. Peterson Dave & Mary Gregorakos Pinch Justin (family) Radford Cynthia Schraer Zev Siegl Nan & Art Zack Smith Norman & Cathryn Smyers Tony & Linda Talbot Eric Thorsen Robert Vallem Nira & Randall Moss Walters Steve & Kathryn Hamilton Wang Steve & Lynn Washington
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John & Mary Hartman Sue & Tom Ring Billings Richard Sample Don & Christine Barnes Charles Dotson Susan D. Freiberg Carol & Irv Jenkins Alex & Linda McGregor Judy & Steve Meyer Shell Oil Co.
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Eric Thorsen Harriet Van Wyck John & Sharon Moody Michael Teegarden Thomas Davis Gregg Herrington John Howell Eugene Kiver John Rainsberry Ed & Suzanne McKinley
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Sandra Bowman Susan Bracken Christine & Victor Widdis Davis-Goff Carl Johansen Kathleen Myers Ken Olsson Ray Redd Robert Vallem Joe Walsh
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Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit educational organization (EIN 91-1658221), founded in 1995 and recognized as an official authority on the Ice Age Floods, providing accurate, scientific-based advice to members and the public. We were instrumental in 2009 Federal legislation authorizing National Park Service designation of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail (IAFNGT).
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