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No More Floods! Mystery Cache

Hidden : 10/7/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is an educational puzzle cache that will hopefully be one of the easiest puzzles ever for you to solve. The cache is not at the listed coordinates: all you have to do for the correct coordinates is answer two simple questions, and the answers are plainly stated on this cache page without having to read very far. A solution checker is provided below to confirm your coordinates.

The cache is at N43 03.AAA W88 02.BBB

AAA = Add 61 to how many MILLIONS of gallons of water the floodwater detention basin holds (the answer is 3 digits long).
BBB = Add 93 to how many ACRES the floodwater basins cover (the answer is 3 digits long).

THE STORY
If you're unfamiliar with the area, flooding in Milwaukee County in 1997, 1998, and 2000 caused about $96 million of damage to homes and businesses. A flood management plan was developed to protect against flooding in the Milwaukee and Wauwatosa areas. After six years in the making, the massive water detention basins were completed in 2011.

SOME FACTS (the first several give you the answers you need)
- This $95 million project captures and stores potential floodwater in two interconnected floodwater detention basins covering 65 acres.
- A large, underground tunnel that's 17 feet in diameter and about a half-mile long carries excess water from Underwood Creek into the basin.
- The basins hold approximately 315 million gallons of water and may only be needed for storage a few times a year.
- The basins are not intended to hold water for any length of time should they fill in a flood. As soon as floodwaters on the streams recede, the water in the basins would be released slowly into the Menomonee River.
- During extreme storms, the basins could fill in about four hours. If completely filled, it would take approximately four days to drain into the river.
- To create the interconnected floodwater basins, a new 200' long bridge was built on Swan Boulevard that crosses over the basins.
- An extensive habitat restoration plan was implemented that emphasizes replanting trees, shrubs and plants with native species.
- The basins are also intended to relieve flooding further downstream in Valley Park in Milwaukee, also known as Piggsville.
- The flood management plan called not only for the water detention basins but also for lowering the floodplain in nearby Hart Park and surrounding it with levees. More than 72 homes & businesses were purchased and demolished for the project, and Hart Park was nearly doubled in size.
- Still yet to come is a makeover of Underwood Creek to the northwest, with the removal of nearly one mile of concrete from the creek channel from Mayfair Road to the Menomonee River at Hansen Golf Course.

We personally witnessed the so-called "100-year flood" occurring three times in four years prior to this project, and love the way this flood control project has turned out. It not only alleviates the flooding problem of the past, but is also aesthetically pleasing and surrounded by nice walking paths that encircle the basins. Enjoy your walk along the path!

Solution Checker:


This cache placed by a member of:
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The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Michael Sieger of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. If placing a cache on DNR-managed land, please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at https://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/forms/2500/2500-118.pdf

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Zntargvp Vg'f nyzbfg n greenva yriry bs 1

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)