4/4/21: Large Mosasaur vertebra N. Sulphur River TX

[John S.]

Got a little luck on Easter/Birthday. Finally found a good sized Mos vert. I’m assuming it’s a Tylo?

 

ozan form

80-85 mya

[FossilDAWG]

"Good sized"?  That thing is HUGE!

 

Don

[Nimravis]

Great find- I will love to head down there to go collecting.

[FossilDAWG]

How long will the area still be accessible for collecting?  Are they already working on the dam?

 

Don

[JohnJ]

What a beauty!  Congrats!

[Norki]

Nice. That's gotta be near the upper size limit of those things.

[John S.]

1 hour ago, Norki said:

Nice. That's gotta be near the upper size limit of those things.

I’m not sure but I’ve heard stories of much bigger

[John S.]

2 hours ago, FossilDAWG said:

How long will the area still be accessible for collecting?  Are they already working on the dam?

 

Don

I think they have started to talk to property owners so maybe 2-5 years? No idea 

[frankh8147]

Oh wow, that's just amazing! Congrats!!

[bthemoose]

Really nice find. Congrats and happy birthday!

[hokietech96]

Awesome find!!

[sharko69]

That’s a smoker for

sure!

[Clint08]

Awesome!

[Titan]

Timeline on construction here:

https://lakeralphhall.com/

@FossilDAWG

 

 

[FossilDAWG]

48 minutes ago, Titan said:

Timeline on construction here:

https://lakeralphhall.com/

@FossilDAWG

 

 

Thanks for that.  I wonder if there will actually be any fossils at the relocated Ladonia Fossil Park?  It seems to me that most of the productive stretch of river will be lost.

 

Don

[Titan]

@FossilDAWG

I agree. I have doubts it'll be productive unless perhaps it really cuts down sharply from the spillway.

[Creek - Don]

7 hours ago, FossilDAWG said:

Thanks for that.  I wonder if there will actually be any fossils at the relocated Ladonia Fossil Park?  It seems to me that most of the productive stretch of river will be lost.

 

Don

Not really.  I found lots of  mosasaur verts and lots of other fossils from hwy 3775 bridge down to hwy 24 bridge.  That's about 20 to 25 miles west to east. 

Edited April 6, 2021 by Creek - Don

[DPS Ammonite]

What will change is the lack of high water flows which will uncover new material. Erosion will slow way down and more people will be collecting in a smaller area. The channel cross section increased tenfold  since straightening which liberated lots of fossils. The River below the dam is probably going to grow trees on the bank covering up more fossils.

 

https://lakeralphhall.com/benefits/environmental-improvements

 

[hemipristis]

[ClearLake]

Wow, that is very nice!  Way to go!!

[PrehistoricWonders]

Insane vert! Great find!