152 CONSTRUCTION SOURCES OF GRAVEL, MINTZER 
ter. In a few areas the Mindel drift is spread out like an apron formation in valleys 
some distance away from the limits of the Mindel glaciation. This glacial formation is 
preserved in strips along the borders of the broad valleys of the Alpine foothills. 
The mosaic and stereo photo study revealed a pattern of an Alpine outwash plain 
not unlike those found in continental glaciated regions of the U.S.A., such as occur in 
Indiana and Ohio. The outwash plain studied was observed within finger valleys and 
  
  
Fig.6. In Germany on the glaciated plain one finds a number of similar 
features to those observed in Ohio, U.S.A. The view seen here was taken 
looking West along Route 18, West of Mindelheim. This is a typical view 
of an outwash plain. 
was easily distinguished by its topographic position relative to hills and streams paral- 
leling its borders. In identifying the plain, certain features were observed. The drainage, 
that is, the absence of streams draining the plain itself, was a significant indication of 
porous soils. The major streams of the region parallel the plains. Locally internal drain- 
age was clogged in isolated small basin-like depressions. Usually marks left by running 
water across a tilted plain should develop a drainage pattern, but the runoff water 
seemed to have been infiltrated into the porous surface soils without the usual vicious 
eroding effects. 
The face of the plain where it was bordered by streams was notched in the usual 
V-fashion. These gullies were short, having steep gradients. Very little headward 
erosion appeared to mark the landscape. The photo gray tones were dark where areas 
were forested and light with wheat fields. See Fig. 6. In addition the small depressions, 
infiltrations basins, were dark, indicating some ponded moisture. The soil color was 
light-toned throughout the area studied, a fact which is typical of most outwash gravels. 
As construction needs were being met in the Mindelheim plain, quarries had been opened 
here and there. See Fig. 7. These features dotted the plain and naturally brought to this 
observer's attention the high quality gravels available in an alpine glaciated outwash 
plain. The predominate feature of gray tone observed was the mottled appearance. In 
  
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