The Grand Meander EarthCache
tomsqrd: Time to close this one. Thanks for visiting the area.
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The cache requirements are located in two areas, both along the Walter Bean Trail. This is a hard-packed gravel trail with some gradual elevation changes.
The Grand River watershed is the largest in southern Ontario, covering 2,800 square kilometres and encompassing all, or part of, 10 counties or regional municipalities. This watershed is managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority on behalf of its 28 member municipalities. It is home to over 800,000 people, most of whom rely on the Grand River for all, or a portion of, their water supply.
The Grand flows 290 kilometres from its source near Dundalk in the north, to its mouth at Port Maitland on Lake Erie. It is a dendritic river system, meaning that it is shaped like a tree with a main trunk and tributary branches. Along its journey, the Grand is joined by major tributaries including the Conestogo, Speed, Eramosa and Nith Rivers, and many minor tributaries such as Laurel Creek and Schneider Creek in the Regional Municipality of Waterloo.
In terms of its ecology, history and cultural diversity, the Grand River watershed is one of the richest and most varied regions of Canada. Its attributes were nationally recognized in 1994 by its designation as a Canadian Heritage River. Throughout the course of the Grand River through Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge, there has been a trail created for long stretches which follows the river's course.
In the section of the Grand River that you will be exploring, you will get the chance to view a portion of the Grand River's floodplain, as well as a significant menader and the spot where an oxbow lake is forming. A meander is a bend in a river, also known as an oxbow loop. A stream or river flowing through a wide valley or flat plain (like the Grand River at this location) will tend to form a meandering stream course as it alternatively erodes and deposits sediments along its course. This is evident when viewing the river from the Kiwanas Park. The result is a snaking pattern as the stream meanders back and forth across its floodplain. When a meander gets cut off from the main stream body, an oxbow lake is formed.
When visiting the Kiwanas park, there is a no trespassing sign posted. This sign pertains to the water park that is fenced off. It does not pertain to the Walter Bean trail which is open year round for people to use. Please stay on the trail while in the Kiwanas Park.
To log this cache you must complete the following requirements:
1. Go to the posted coordinates at the Kaufman Flats and e-mail your answers to the following question. What two fish species surprisingly can be found in this section of the Grand River due to its meandering course through a large floodplain?
2. While still at the Kiwana's Park, go to this coordinate. N 43 30.234 W 080 28.596. From this location you will see a bench and a great view of a large meander in the Grand River. Take a picture of your group and GPS with this meander in the background. Post this picture with your log.
3. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: There could possibly be an oxbow lake forming in front of you. Which channel do you think will become the lake, the close channel or far channel? For help in determining this, visit the following website: (visit link)
Additional Hints
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