Fossil tracks found after Texas floods

Cleanup after floods in Central Texas reveals fossilized dinosaur tracks on private land near Sandy Creek.

Floods uncover dinosaur tracks in Sandy Creek area

LEANDER, Texas — Just over a month after severe flooding swept through Central Texas, cleanup in the Sandy Creek area uncovered fossilized dinosaur tracks on private property. Vegetation that once hid the tracks was stripped away by floodwaters, allowing paleontologists to inspect the site and begin the documentation process.

Paleontologists from the University of Texas at Austin were called to examine the footprints. Matthew Brown said natural disasters often reveal fossils that would otherwise stay buried, and the tracks are believed to belong to an Acrocanthosaurus dating back more than 115 million years. While Brown notes the print resembles a Tyrannosaurus Rex, the two species lived about 40 million years apart. Researchers plan to create 3D replicas using drones and laser surface scanners to study the site without further disturbing it.

Natural disasters can act as unplanned gateways to the past, surfacing fossils in places people are actively cleaning up after damage. The find also spotlights the tension between private property and scientific access, especially when a community is still rebuilding. As researchers collect data, communities may push for clear safeguards and funding to preserve such sites for education and research.

The story shows how science thrives on local curiosity and collaboration. If communities and universities partner, these discoveries can fuel learning, tourism, and better protection of vulnerable areas while the landscape heals.

Highlights

The past has a way of showing up when the present is busy rebuilding.