This earthcache is designed to show the how today’s rivers
are regulated. The above co ordinance will take you to a USGS
Gage Station. USGS is the United States Geological Survey.
These gauging stations are used for water resources, specifically
the Clinton River in this case. The station here is continuously
measuring the depth and the amount of flow of the river.
It is very important to monitor, and control the river’s flow
for several reasons. We can start with the control of flooding or
at least the warning of flooding. Since the rivers flow is
regulated by damming, these gauging stations relay the information
to do this regulating. Another important reason for this gauging
and regulating of the river is to limit erosion of the river banks.
Though erosion will always take place it can be held to a minimal.
Ground water also depends on these regulated flows. Ground waters
include some small lakes, marshes and wetlands.
The Clinton River begins North West of here in Clarkston’s
Independence Park. There are many small creeks and even a couple of
lakes that help to feed this river. As the river continues on from
this point it will eventually flow into Lake St. Clair.
As you visit this cache imagine just a few years back this bridge
was closed as it was feared to get washed away. In fact the flood
actually had rose to the point of cresting this bridge for a short
time.
To view in real time the flow and height of this river click
here. This is also where you will find some of the information
you will need to log this cache.
To log this cache you will need to complete the following. All that
should be posted with your log will be a photo. All answer should
be e-mailed to us and not post in your log.
1. At the posted co-ords you will find a guardrail and a bridge
sign (yellow and black striped). Standing safely behind the
guardrail take and post a photo of yourself/team and the bridge
sign.
2. Just a few feet from the posted co-ords, to the east, you will
see the gauging station. On the gauging station next to the door
there is a measuring stick attached. E-mail me with the highest
marking available.
3. Go to the
USGS website and look at the water level and the water flow
charts. E-mail us the flow rate and the water lever the river was
at the time of your visit. This site being a real time it should be
easy to see the time frame that you were here.
This cache was a fun way to work with my good friends DeRock
& The Psychic Cacher. We have put together two of the same type
of cache on either side of the state, visit Deane & Linda's
here:
Grand Rapids Gage Station. I would like to thank them for this
opportunity!
Be sure to e-mail me within 7 days of logging the cache to
get credit for your work. If the rules of finding an Earthcache and
e-mailing the owner is not followed your log will be deleted
without notice!