Waupan (Water That Heals) EarthCache
Hidden : 1/22/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Parking near the posted coordinates. Gravel parking area leads to the fountain at the spring.

What is a Spring?

A spring is formed when the side of a hill or some other excavation crosses flowing ground water which is at or below the water table. A spring results from an aquifer filled to the point that the water overflows onto the surface. The springs may range in size from small seeps that flow occasionally after a large rainfall to huge pools pouring forth hundreds of millions of gallons daily.

How Does a Spring Form?

Springs form in rock. Some of the largest springs are formed in limestone and dolomite. Both dolomite and limestone fracture or crack relatively easily. Rainwater seeps through the ground undergoing a chemical change forming a weak carbonic acid which then enters these cracks and dissolves the rock. When the water reaches a horizontal crack or a layer of non-dissolving rock such as sandstone or shale, it begins to move sideways, forming an underground stream. Eventually this can form a large opening, or cave and may take tens to hundreds of thousands of years to complete.

How Much Water Flows?

The amount of water that flows from springs depends on many things. The size of the caverns in the rock, the water pressure of the aquifer, the size of the spring basin, and the amount of rainfall. Human activities also influence the amount of water that comes from a spring. Groundwater withdrawals in an area can reduce the pressure and water levels in an aquifer, decreasing the flow from the spring.

Is the Water Hot or Cold?

The temperature of the water depends on the temperature of the rocks it is passing through, and how long it travels before surfacing. For example, the temperature of an Ozark spring comes from its passing through rock at an average temperature of 56 F. But on the other hand, thermal springs, such as in the bubbling mud springs in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, occur in regions of recent volcanic activity and are fed by water heated by contact with hot rocks far below the surface.

Legends

According to the local Kaskaskia tribes, these waters had healing powers that could cure a multitude of ailments including gout, consumption, or lumbago, and would leave a payment of flint, bone, or pottery in thanks for their health. Today, recent visitors often leave coins after taking a drink of the Waupun - The Water That Heals.

Magnificent Muggle

The landowner is a wonderful gentleman by the name of Paul. He says that he gets as much pleasure out of folks visiting his little spring as we do visiting it. He also would enjoy talking to any geocachers who want to know anything about the spring and surrounding area, or Fayette County in general! If you have time for a chat, Paul will meet you there, contact me and I'll email you his phone number, he'd love it. When you do visit, he only asks that you CITO.

Logging Requirements

In order to log this cache, determine the following and email me the answer. DO NOT post your answer in your log.

1.Determine the flow rate of the spring in the SI unit (cubic meters per second)

In addition, DO Post in your log:

2. The temperature of the spring water at the time of your visit

3. Post a picture of you with your gpsr near the fountain.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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