Monocacy Hill Watershed EarthCache

This is a 1.5-2 mile hike from the parking area, down the blue trail and back (shortest way). Other routes are possible if you want a longer hike.

What is a Watershed?

A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place.
Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state, and national boundaries. In the continental US, there are 2,110 watersheds; including Hawaii Alaska, and Puerto Rico, there are 2,267 watersheds.
Source: http://water.epa.gov/type/watersheds/whatis.cfm (Environmental Protection Agency website)

According to Berks Conservancy “It’s the land that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river, or lake. The landscape is made up of many interconnected watersheds. Within each watershed, all water runs to the lowest point - a stream, river, or lake. On its way, water travels over the surface and across farm fields, forestlands, suburban lawns, and city streets, or it seeps into the soil and travels as ground water. Large watersheds, like the Schuylkill River Watershed, are made up of many smaller watersheds such as the Tulpehocken Creek, Maiden Creek, Manatawny Creek, Wyomissing Creek, Hay Creek, and Angelica Creek to name a few.” http://www.berks-conservancy.org/WaterResources/YourWatershed/tabid/85/Default.aspx

What are the threats to the Watersheds in Berks County?

The rainwater or snowmelt that runs across the land is called “stormwater.” When stormwater flows occur, they can pick up the litter, dirt/soil, gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers, and pet waste that we leave behind on the land and transport these materials directly into storm drains.  The storm drains that carry the polluted water will empty directly into local rivers; they do not filter or clean the water before it drains into a nearby stream.   Berks County’s streams and rivers have a high number of sediment and nutrients that are found in the water that originate from our activities on the land. Source: Berks County Conservation District http://berkscd.com/watersheds/

This Earthcache will take you hiking directly through Monocacy Hill’s watershed, down to the basin and lowest point where all the water drains.  This watershed is part of one of the three major watersheds in Berks County and it drains into the Schuylkill River.

                                                                 

Maps of the trails are available at Bulletin Board at the main entrance.  Please respect all park rules.  Hours are Dusk to Dawn.

Expect mud at times and some rocky, uneven terrain. No wheelchair or stroller access. No bikes during spring

Note: PLEASE stay on the trail down by the posted coordinants.  The vegetation is sensitive and some rare plants are located in that area, per MHCA.

To log this cache as a find, please answer the 3 following questions:

1. Describe the area around ground zero..what do you see?

2. How deep do you estimate the pool to be?

3. Name 3 ways to protect watersheds

This cache is placed with permission from the Monocacy Hill Conservation Association.
For more info on the Hill go to www.monocacyhill.org