Catastrophic flash floods in central Texas in early July 2025 not only caused widespread devastation but also revealed a remarkable window into the region's prehistoric past. Along Big Sandy Creek in Travis County, near Austin, volunteers discovered ancient dinosaur footprints estimated to be between 110 and 115 million years old. The tracks, measuring approximately 45 to 50 centimeters (18 to 20 inches) in length, were found in a crisscross pattern. Paleontologists, including Matthew Brown from the University of Texas at Austin, have identified them as likely belonging to carnivorous dinosaurs, specifically species similar to the Acrocanthosaurus. This formidable bipedal carnivore roamed the area during the Early Cretaceous period and could reach lengths of up to 35 feet. The powerful floodwaters washed away accumulated soil and debris, exposing these previously hidden imprints in the Glen Rose Formation limestone. Brown noted that such discoveries are often a consequence of extreme weather events, stating that "cataclysmic events that often preserve fossils in the first place and then also are exposing them."
Some of these tracks had been previously documented but were obscured by vegetation, while others are entirely new discoveries brought to light by the flood's force. In addition to the carnivorous tracks, several larger, rounder imprints suggest the presence of herbivorous dinosaurs, possibly the Paluxysaurus, Texas's official state dinosaur. The coexistence of both predator and prey tracks in close proximity offers valuable insights into the ancient ecosystem, hinting at the dynamics of life and potential interactions between these species. The July 2025 floods were among the deadliest in Texas history, resulting in at least 135 fatalities. Amidst the recovery efforts, the preservation of these significant paleontological finds is a priority. Local officials are collaborating with scientists to protect the site, which is on private land and remains off-limits to the public at the landowner's request. Plans are underway to map and 3D-scan the prints to further scientific understanding of the creatures that left them. This discovery serves as a profound reminder of the deep history embedded within the landscape, brought to light by the very forces that reshaped the present.