Geomorphic elements in the Five Springs area include floodplains, terraces, alluvial fans, pediments, landslide deposits, and clay dunes which unconformably overlie bedrock of Permian to Cretaceous age. These features are significant to this dissertation because their topographic position and lithologic constituents derived from recognizable stratigraphic units can be used to interpret the Quaternary history of the region;The highest surfaces and oldest Pleistocene sediments are associated with the 600,000 year B.P. North Kane Ash. Subsequent climatically-induced periods of aggradation and incision produced the remaining topographic components. The Bighorn River has been primarily responsible for causing various segments of local creeks to continually be out-of-phase with its regime, which indicates a lag-time in the adjustment of tributaries to Bighorn River processes. Climatic parameters associated with the Bighorn Mountains likewise affect tributaries, but are less important;Processes associated with a typical interglacial-glacial cycle include: (1) interglacial stability with Bighorn River alluviation, pedimentation, and eolian deposition; (2) late-interglacial to early-glacial incision; (3) alluvial fan extension and increased landsliding during glacial intervals; and (4) an early-interglacial return to more stable conditions. Frequent stream captures during interglacial times were caused by the out-of-phase relationships between the Bighorn River and local creeks;The most intense Pleistocene glacial climates in the northeastern Bighorn Basin are believed to have occurred ca. 600,000, 440,000, and 140,000 years B.P; an abnormally wet interglacial existed 100,000-90,000 years ago. The relationship between the Bighorn River and its tributaries suggests that the Pinedale cycle is not yet complete.