Spring Lake's Wetlands EC EarthCache
Spring Lake's Wetlands EC
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As an EarthCache, there is no 'container' to find. Instead, you learn something about the geology of this area. To receive 'credit' for this FIND, please send your answers to the following questions to my e-mail profile. Try to send the answers soon after you log so that I will not need to DELETE !
REQUIREMENTS:
!- How deep would you estimate the water to be at the listed coordinates?
2 How wide would you estimate this wetland to be at the listed coordinates?
3- Wetlands act as a water ______. Wetlands act as an hydrolic ______.
4- List TWO fur bearing animals that prefer wetland habitat? Did you see any of the listed fur bearing animals on your visit?
5- Did you observe any bird species in your visit to Spring Lake Wetlands Park?
6- Submit a pic of wildlife etc if you wish.
FTF Honors to: Tom Kat
Try Greater Petoskey Area Earthcache Challenge GC2HRCN
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Spring Lake Wetlands Park is 'people friendly' in so many ways - come and enjoy! (notice attributes!)
Notice the picture of the Great Blue Heron on the intro page of multi-cache GC1F12H taken on one of my visits to this beautiful 'nature friendly' place! You are standing on a boardwalk that extends over the wetlands.
Spring Lake & Spring Lake Wetlands are located at the headwaters of the Inland Waterway. Although Little Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan is less than a half mile from where you are standing, the water here at Spring Lake Wetlands flows 42 miles through interconnected lakes and rivers through Cheboygan River and into Lake Huron. The importance of this wetland, the Cheboygan River watershed that feeds it, the history of its use, and the species that live along it are very significant to all of Northern Michigan.
The orgin of the deep lakes and extensive wetlands of the Inland Waterway region can be traced back many thousands of years ago when huge blocks of ice were deposited during glacial retreat. As these ice blocks melted, they left behind the deep basins that now make up Crooked, Pickeral, Burt & Mullett Lakes.
WHAT are WETLANDS?
Wetlands, just the word conjures up many images:
a flight of ducks at sunset,
a dark and mysterious swamp,
delicate orchards blooming, and of course
a regal Great Blue Heron standing like a statue.
In addition to their beauty, wetlands are some of the most valuable ecological resources. Wetlands provide important functions that enhance our quality of life and that of future generations.
Wetlands are unique and varied ecosystems that are too wet to be considered upland, and too dry to be considered 'deep water' habitats.
The benefits that wetlands provide go beyond property boundaries. Some migratory bird species utilize wetland at every stop in there journey from their summer homes in he Artic to their winter homes in the tropics. Wetlands help protect downstream property owners from flooding and water quality damage.
POLLUTION CONTROL - Wetlands act as a water filter!
A major value of wetlands is the preservation of water quality. Wetlands function like living filters by removing polluting nutrients and sediments from surface and ground water. The filtering capasity of wetlands serve to protect vulnerable aquifers.
FLOOD STORAGE & water conveyance!
Wetlands act as an hydrolic sponge, temporarily storing flood waters and releasing them slowly, thus reducing flood peaks and protecting downstream property owners from flood damage. Spring Lake Wetlands, as you observe them today, act as a sponge to control storm water runoff.
ANIMAL & WILDLIFE
Many wildlife species spend their entire lives in wetlands, others utilize them intermittenly for feeding or rearing their young. Numerious bird species are dependent on wetlands for migratory resting places, breeding and feeding grounds, or cover from preditors. It is estimated that over one-third of all birds species in North America rely on wetlands for one or more of these purposes. They also serve as one of the prefered habitat for many fur bearing animals such as muskrat, beaver, otter, mink and raccoon.
Great weather temp/map: (visit link)
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