Bad Little Falls Park EarthCache
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This earthcache is in the beautiful downeast coastal community of Machias in a small community park which is next to US route 1. It will give you a look at the river that flows through Bad Little Falls Park.
Welcome to Machias, Maine and the Machias River earthcache. This cache could have been about the series of water falls caused by the fault but it is not; it could have been about the gorge that the river runs through at this location but it is not; or it could have been about the unique rock formation at this location but it is not. What this cache is all about is the color of the water in the river below. Machias is a corruption of the Native American name, "Mechises", which means "a bad run of water," or "bad little falls," an appropriate name for the river which runs through the town. The point I am trying to make is that this little park has a lot to offer the visitor.
Although you get a glimpse of the falls while driving along US Highway US 1 through Machias, the best viewing is by parking and stopping to take a closer look. There is access to a viewing platform and to the footbridge suspended above the torrential falls. This is known as Bad Little Falls Park and was once part of a larger dam used by the Machias Electric Company started in 1902.
The water in the river below frequently turns reddish-brown and foams, due to tannin from cedar trees and decaying vegetation in the peak bogs in the distant tributaries. The tannins also contain tannic aicd and humic acid, the stuff that makes tea brown. What are the effects on the water and soil? The effects of the substances in water ecology is that it shows that the water coloration is due to material that results from the decay of organic material and gives the peat and soil its brown color. At the present time most soil scientists hold a holistic view and at least recognize that humus influences soil fertility through its effect on the water-holding capacity of the soil. As far as the water go it not much good for industry due to the stains that are formed.
At the coordinates listed above you will be on a viewing platform above the river. Take some time to watch the water and look at the rock formations. To log this Earthcache: You must send an email to me through my profile with the following information: How wide is the river at it narrowest point and how deep would you estimate the water to be in the pool below. Remember the water is brown so you will have to look closely. Please begin your email with the name of the earthcache and make sure your log includes the number of people in your group. It also would be nice if you would post a photo so others would know what they have to look forward to at this earth cache.
If you enjoy this earthcache you may want to check the Maine Geological Survey located at (visit link)
They have developed a number of information sheets or field localities giving a great deal of information about geologic features. They also have a number of books and maps about Maine’s natural history/ geology that you might find interesting.
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