USGS Visual Identifier

GEOLEX

Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Hunt, C.B., 1954, Pleistocene and Recent deposits in the Denver
   area, Colorado, IN Contributions to general geology, 1951-54:
   U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin, 996-C, p. C91-C140
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Named
  Denver basin
  Alluvium

Summary:
Named for Piney Creek, eastern tributary to Cherry Creek in NW1/4 NW1/4 sec 25, T5S, R66W, Arapahoe Co, CO in the Denver basin. Is 7 ft thick at type. Usually more than 8 ft thick. Is well stratified. Individual beds are usually several inches thick. Made up mostly of calcareous well-stratified silt. Contains many thin layers of silty sand and some gravel. A few pebbles and cobbles. Layers of coarse cobbly gravel in silt matrix present in Lakewood Gulch. Layers of clean sand uncommon. Yields abundant bison bones. Charcoal and stone artifacts have been found. Charcoal had an age of 1,150 +/-150 B.P. (800 +/-150 A.D.). Is a Recent deposit. Probably equivalent to Tsegi formation of northeast AZ and Calamity formation of west TX. Geologic map. Shown as older than protohistoric or historic alluvium and younger than alluvium and gravel on rock-cut terraces.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Scott, G.R., 1962, Geology of the Littleton quadrangle, Jefferson,
   Douglas, and Arapahoe Counties, Colorado, IN Contributions
   to general geology, 1960: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin,
   1121-L, p. L1-L53
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Littleton quad, Arapahoe, Douglas, and Jefferson Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Silt
Sand
Clay

Summary:
Is upper Recent [Holocene] formation mapped in east-central Jefferson, west Arapahoe, and northwest Douglas Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quadrangle. Older than "post-Piney Creek alluvium" map unit (upper Recent); younger than "eolian sand" map unit (lower Recent). Terrace of Piney Creek is well preserved along most streams; along South Platte River and Deer Creek it is more than one-half mile wide; along small intermittent streams it commonly is less than 10 ft wide. Map unit described as brownish-gray dark-brown or pale-brown well-stratified humic silt, sand, and clay. Well-defined layers of silt and clay range from 1-10 inches thick. Clay and silt are concentrated in upper part and layers of stones as large as 4 inches in diameter are most common in lower part. In sandhills area east of South Platte River, unit is composed entirely of sand. Fossil BISON BISON is abundant; ODOCOILEUS HEMIONUS, mule deer, is less common. Thickness ranges from 4-15 ft; averages about 9 ft.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Scott, G.R., 1963, Quaternary geology and geomorphic history of
   the Kassler quadrangle, Colorado, IN Geology of the Kassler
   quadrangle, Jefferson and Douglas Counties, Colorado: U.S.
   Geological Survey Professional Paper, 421-A, p. A1-A70, (incl.
   geologic map, scale 1:24,000)
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Kassler quad, Douglas and Jefferson Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Silt
Sand
Clay

Summary:
Is upper Recent [Holocene] formation mapped in northwestern Douglas and southeastern Jefferson Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad. Shown on Explanation to be younger than eolian sand unit (Recent); same age as bog clay and landslides units; older than post-Piney Creek alluvium. Unconformably overlies most older deposits. Unit is described (p.42-43) as gray, brownish-gray, olive-gray, grayish-orange, and pale yellowish-brown humic silt, sand, and clay; soil of late Recent age in upper part. Deposited in arroyos previously cut in most deposits in area and was deposited as straths or alluvial fans on older straths of Louviers, Broadway, and pre-Piney Creek alluvium. Broadest deposits are in valleys of South Platte River and Plum Creek; valleys of Willow, Little Willow, Indian, Jarre, and Rainbow Creeks contain sizable deposits. Thickness ranges between 4-25 ft, averaging 10 ft. Measured sections. Vertebrate fossils are abundant with BISON BISON being most abundant. Invertebrate fossils are generally scarce. Is probably about 2,800 years old based on radiocarbon age of charcoal from a correlative of Tsegi alluvium in La Sal Mountains, UT.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Sheridan, D.M., Reed, J.C., Jr. and Bryant, Bruce, 1972, Geologic
   map of the Evergreen quadrangle, Jefferson County, Colorado:
   U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series
   Map, I-786-A, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Evergreen quad, Jefferson Co, CO)
  Denver basin
  Silt
Sand
Gravel

Summary:
Is upper Holocene formation mapped in west-central Jefferson Co, CO (Denver basin). Map unit described as dark-gray humic silt and sand, commonly with gravel near base. Underlies upland meadows, where it commonly is cut by narrow gullies. Also caps terraces as much as 20 ft above modern streams.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Scott, G.R., 1972, Geologic map of the Morrison quadrangle,
   Jefferson County, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous
   Investigations Series Map, I-790-A, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Morrison quad, Jefferson Co, CO)
  Denver basin
  Silt
Sand

Summary:
Is upper Holocene alluvium mapped in Jefferson Co, CO (Denver basin). Map unit described as dark-gray to reddish-brown humic clayey silt and sand containing layers of pebbles, generally in lower part. Widespread occurrence in quad. Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad. Underlain by older gravelly alluvium or bedrock. Grades upslope into colluvium. Correlates with Holocene young landslide and talus map units and uppermost part of upper Holocene to Pleistocene landslide and colluvium units. Contains upper Holocene weak Brown soil in upper part. Thickness 5-20 ft in this quadrangle. Terrace is 10-20 ft above modern streams. Generally not covered by seasonal floods.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Maberry, J.O. and Lindvall, R.M., 1972, Geologic map of the
   Parker quadrangle, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, Colorado:
   U.S. Geological Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series
   Map, I-770-A, 1 sheet, scale
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Parker quad, Arapahoe and Douglas Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Sand
Silt
Clay
Gravel

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped in southwestern Arapahoe and northern Douglas Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; conformably underlies post-Piney Creek alluvium (Holocene); overlies eolian sand unit (Pleistocene and Holocene) that was deposited by wind from Cherry Creek valley. Unit described as moderate-yellowish-brown to grayish-brown poorly sorted silt, clay, sand, and interbedded gravel. Humic material common in upper 1-2 ft; locally lower part is all gravel. Main occurrence is in central part of quad along a northwest trend paralleling Parker Road. Is also exposed along most creeks within quad. Commonly 5-15 ft thick, locally up to 30 ft thick; thickest in middle of valley it fills.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Bryant, B.H., Miller, R.D. and Scott, G.R., 1973, Geologic map
   of the Indian Hills quadrangle, Jefferson County, Colorado:
   U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-1073, 1
   sheet, scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Indian Hills quad, Jefferson Co, CO)
  Denver basin
  Sand
Silt
Clay
Gravel

Summary:
Is upper Holocene formation mapped in central Jefferson Co, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quadrangle. Older than fan and post-Piney Creek alluviums; younger than pre-Piney Creek alluvium and colluvium (early Holocene). Map unit described as dark-brownish-gray to dark-brown mixture of humus-rich silt, sand, and clay containing layers of silt, clay, and gravel 1-18 inches thick. In mountains unit contains angular to rounded pebbles and cobbles of Precambrian rock. Grades into colluvium at sides and heads of valleys. Soil, enriched in calcium carbonate and containing hard, slightly clayey but plastic B horizon, is weakly developed. Alluvium ranges in thickness from less than 5 ft along small arroyos to about 12 ft along major drainages.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Bryant, B.H., 1974, Reconnaissance geologic map of the Conifer
   quadrangle, Jefferson County, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey
   Miscellaneous Field Studies Map, MF-597, 1 sheet, scale
   1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Conifer quad, Douglas and Jefferson Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Silt
Sand
Gravel

Summary:
Is upper Holocene formation mapped in west-central Jefferson Co, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad. Shown on Correlation of Map Units to unconformably overlie Pleistocene older alluvium unit and to be older than upper Holocene post-Piney Creek alluvium unit. Correlates with lower part of upper Holocene colluvium unit. Unit is described as dark-gray humic silt, sand, and gravel. Unit is cut by narrow gullies along many drainages. Grades to colluvium at heads of valleys. No thickness given.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Machette, M.N., 1977, Geologic map of the Lafayette quadrangle,
   Adams, Boulder, and Jefferson Counties, Colorado: U.S.
   Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-1392, 1 sheet,
   scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Lafayette quad, Adams Boulder, and Jefferson Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Sand
Silt
Clay

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped in southeastern Boulder, northeastern Jefferson, and northwestern Adams Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; shown on Correlation of Map Units to be older than post-Piney Creek alluvium and equivalent in part to colluvium, eolian sand, and undifferentiated alluvium map units; unconformably overlies Broadway Alluvium (Holocene, Pinedale age). Unit described as gray to light-gray-brown well-stratified locally cross-bedded sand, silt, and clay in channel and over bank deposits. Forms low terrace in channels cut in Broadway and, less commonly, Louviers Alluviums. Terrace, when present, is 1.8-2.4 m above modern flood plain. Mainly exposed along courses of Coal, Rock, Big Dry, and Walnut Creeks. Weakly developed zonal soil in upper part of alluvium with very weak veinlets of calcium carbonate. Soil profile shown. Thickness 2-3 m.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Maberry, J.O. and Lindvall, R.M., 1977, Geologic map of the
   Highlands Ranch quadrangle, Arapahoe and Douglas Counties,
   Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map,
   GQ-1413, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Highlands Ranch quad, Arapahoe and Douglas Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Clay
Silt
Sand
Gravel

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped in southwestern Arapahoe and northern Douglas Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; conformably overlies Broadway Alluvium (Pleistocene); conformably underlies post-Piney Creek alluvium; shown on Correlation of Map Units to be equivalent to middle part of colluvium, eolian sand, and loess units. Unit described as light-gray to light-brown clay, silt, sand, and gravel; humic material common in upper part. Unit is transitional into colluvium on hillsides. Occupies creek-valley floors throughout quad; in some places forms low terraces adjacent to modern stream channels. Commonly 5-15 ft thick.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Lindvall, R.M., 1978, Geologic map of the Fort Logan quadrangle,
   Jefferson, Denver, and Arapahoe Counties, Colorado: U.S.
   Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-1427, 1 sheet,
   scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Fort Logan quad, Arapahoe, Denver, and Jefferson Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Gravel
Sand
Silt
Clay

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped in western Arapahoe, western Denver, and eastern Jefferson Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; conformably overlies eolian sand unit (Pleistocene and Holocene); unconformably underlies post-Piney Creek alluvium (Holocene). Correlates in part with Pleistocene and Holocene colluvium unit. Unit described as brown, light-brown, light-gray to dark-gray interbedded sand, silt, and clay. Humic material is common in upper 1-2 ft; interbedded gravel in lower part. Generally well stratified; upper part of alluvium is generally finer grained than lower part. Occupies bottoms of almost every valley except Bear Creek and South Platte River. Engineering properties discussed. Commonly 5-10 ft thick.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Lindvall, R.M., 1979, Geologic Map of the Arvada quadrangle,
   Adams, Denver, and Jefferson Counties, Colorado: U.S. Geological
   Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-1453, 1 sheet, scale
   1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Arvada quad, Adams, Denver, and Jefferson Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Sand
Silt
Clay
Gravel

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped in southwestern Adams, northwestern Denver, and northeastern Jefferson Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; conformably overlies eolian sand unit (Pleistocene and Holocene); unconformably underlies post-Piney Creek alluvium (Holocene). Correlates in part with Pleistocene and Holocene colluvium unit. Unit is described as brown, light-brown, light- to dark-gray interbedded sand, silt, and clay. Humic material common in upper 1-2 ft; interbedded gravel in lower part. Generally well stratified; upper part of alluvium generally finer grained than lower part. Occupies bottoms of almost every valley except Clear Creek and South Platte River. Engineering properties discussed. Is commonly 5-10 ft thick.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Shroba, R.R., 1980, Geologic map and physical properties of the
   surficial and bedrock units of the Englewood quadrangle,
   Denver, Arapahoe, and Adams Counties, Colorado: U.S. Geological
   Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-1524, 1 sheet, scale
   1:24,000, Supersedes U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report
   OF-77-862.
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Englewood quad, Adams, Arapahoe, and Denver Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Sand
Silt
Clay

Summary:
Is upper Holocene formation mapped in southwestern Adams, southwestern Arapahoe, and eastern Denver Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; unconformably underlies post-Piney Creek alluvium (upper Holocene); unconformably overlies Broadway Alluvium (Pleistocene). Correlates in part with colluvium unit (Pleistocene and Holocene), eolian sand unit (upper Pleistocene to upper Holocene), and undifferentiated alluvium unit (upper Holocene). Unit described as light-gray to dark grayish-brown, humic, slightly calcareous, sandy silt and clay overlying noncalcareous, clean to silty pebbly sand interbedded with sandy silt along major streams and sandy clay to silty sand along intermittent streams. Forms terraces about 6-8 m above South Platte River, 3-5 m above Cherry Creek, and less than 3 m above Little Dry Creek. Includes thin deposits of post-Piney Creek alluvium along intermittent streams and small alluvial fans. Generally not subject to flooding along major streams but locally covered by periodic floods in tributary drainages. Table of physical properties. Thickness is 1.5-4.5 m along South Platte River and less than 4.5 m along Cherry Creek and Little Dry Creek.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Lindvall, R.M., 1980, Geologic map of the Commerce City quadrangle,
   Adams and Denver Counties, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey
   Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-1541, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Commerce City quad, Adams and Denver Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Gravel
Sand
Silt
Clay

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped in northern Denver and western Adams Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; conformably overlies eolian sand unit (Pleistocene and Holocene); unconformably underlies post-Piney Creek alluvium (Holocene). Correlates in part with Pleistocene and Holocene colluvium unit. Unit is described as brown, light-brown, light- to dark-gray interbedded sand, silt, and clay. Generally well stratified, humic material common in upper 1-2 ft; interbedded gravel in lower part. Upper part of unit is generally finer grained than lower part. Occurs in bottoms of almost every valley except those of Sand and Clear Creeks and South Platte River. Engineering properties discussed. Thickness is commonly 5-10 ft.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Lindvall, R.M., 1983, Geologic map of the Sable quadrangle,
   Adams and Denver Counties, Colorado: U.S. Geological Survey
   Geologic Quadrangle Map, GQ-1567, 1 sheet, scale 1:24,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:24k (Sable quad, Adams and Denver Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Gravel
Sand
Silt
Clay

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped in northeastern Denver and southwestern Adams Cos, CO (Denver basin). Is youngest formal unit mapped in quad; conformably overlies eolian sand unit (Pleistocene and Holocene); unconformably underlies post-Piney Creek alluvium (Holocene). Correlates in part with Pleistocene and Holocene colluvium and loess units. Unit is described as brown, light-brown, light- to dark-gray interbedded sand, silt, and clay. Generally well stratified; humic material common in upper 1-2 ft; interbedded gravel in lower part. Upper part of unit is generally finer grained than lower part. Occupies bottoms of most valley in quad. Engineering properties discussed. Thickness is commonly 5-10 ft.
Summary of Citation: Piney Creek

Publication:
Shroba, R.R. and Carrara, P.E., 1996, Surficial geologic map of
   the Rocky Flats environmental technology site and vicinity,
   Jefferson and Boulder Counties, Colorado: U.S. Geological
   Survey Miscellaneous Investigations Series Map, I-2526, 1
   sheet, scale 1:12,000
Usage in Publication:
Piney Creek Alluvium*

Modifications: Geologic Province: Dominant Lithology:
 Mapped 1:12k (Jefferson and Boulder Cos, CO)
  Denver basin
  Gravel
Sand
Silt

Summary:
Is Holocene formation mapped undivided with post-Piney Creek alluvium in northern Jefferson and southeastern Boulder Co, CO (Denver basin). Among youngest of map units; shown on Correlation of Map Units to be age equivalent with Holocene part of colluvium, landslide deposits, and Holocene artificial fill units; older than terrace alluvium unit (middle Pleistocene to early Holocene?). (Age assignments for surficial deposits are based chiefly on height above stream level, degree of post-depositional modification of original surface morphology, and degree of soil development.) Occurs along Rock, Walnut and Woman Creeks and their tributaries; underlies low terraces about 1-2 m above stream level. In western part of map area, unit described as clast-supported, slightly bouldery, pebble and cobble gravel containing dark-gray sand matrix; unit fines downstream. In eastern part of map area, unit commonly consists of slightly pebbly, grayish-brown, silty sand to sandy, clayey silt in upper part and poorly sorted, clast-supported, slightly cobbly, pebble gravel that contains light-yellowish-brown, clayey, silty sand matrix in lower part. Piney Creek Alluvium contains stage I carbonate veinlets and locally one or more buried soil A horizons, that are each about 10 cm thick. Locally contains remains of BISON BISON; bones of large vertebrate [not identified] found along Walnut Creek near eastern margin of map. Thickness 1-5 m; averages 3 m.