Lansing’s Gauging Station EarthCache

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 Grand 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 Grand River is the longest river in Michigan at about 260 miles. It begins in the wetlands and small lakes of north eastern Hillsdale County. The river is fed also by 8 other rivers that connect along the way. The Grand River watershed includes 9 counties before running into Lake Michigan.

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.

Go onto the river walkway where can see the flow and the level for yourself. You can also observe the river’s work at eroding the banks at different levels the river has cut its way through this area. The posted co-ords here on the walkway is directly in front of the station.
1. While here on the walkway take and post a photo of yourself or your team and post it to your log. It would be best to have either the gauging station or the bridge as your background.
2. 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.