Ancient Footprints Revealed by 2025 Floods

Floodwaters in Northwest Travis County, Texas, have revealed a series of dinosaur footprints dating back approximately 115 million years. The tracks were uncovered after heavy rains and subsequent floods in July 2025 swept away layers of sediment, brush, and soil that had concealed the prehistoric remains for millions of years.

The discovery occurred in the Big Sandy Creek area, where the floodwaters exposed pitted limestone formations near a dried riverbed. A group of volunteers first identified the prints, which were located on private property. At the request of the landowner, the exact coordinates of the site remain undisclosed.

Paleontological Findings and Identification

Paleontologists from the University of Texas at Austin have confirmed the presence of at least 15 individual footprints. According to Matthew Brown, a paleontologist at UT Austin, the prints measure approximately 18 to 20 inches in length and date back between 110 and 115 million years.

The tracks are attributed to a meat-eating dinosaur similar to the Acrocanthosaurus, a bipedal carnivore that reached lengths of roughly 35 feet and roamed North America during the Early Cretaceous period. Each of the discovered prints features three claws.

In addition to the carnivorous tracks, researchers identified other prints nearby that may belong to a Paluxysaurus. This large herbivorous sauropod is the official state dinosaur of Texas.

Environmental Context and Preservation

Experts believe the footprints were preserved in fine sediment that gradually hardened into stone over millions of years. While Texas is known as a significant location for fossil discoveries, these specific tracks remained hidden beneath mud and sediment until the unusual weather conditions of 2025 caused the exposure.

The floods that led to the discovery were severe; in Travis County, the early July 2025 floods resulted in 135 deaths.

Documentation and Conservation Efforts

Following the report of the find, Matthew Brown and fellow UT Austin paleontologist Kenneth Bader visited the site to assess the tracks and provide guidance to officials on how to protect the area during ongoing flood cleanup operations.

The research team intends to return to the site to perform more comprehensive documentation. This process will involve the use of 3D imaging and detailed mapping to better understand the nature of the site.

A primary objective for the paleontologists is to determine the behavioral patterns of the dinosaurs involved. Specifically, they aim to discover whether the dinosaurs were moving together as a group or if the tracks were made by individuals crossing the region independently at different times.

The clarity and size of the prints are considered highly significant by the scientific community. Researchers suggest that the find provides key insights into the movement and behavior of these predators, as well as their interaction with the Early Cretaceous environment.