Simply stated, a spring is a spot where
ground water, or the aquifer, meets the ground surface thus
allowing for water flow. Springs may be intermittent in flow called
ephemeral, or continuous in flow called perennial, as this spring
is.
The source of this springs water is the
same underground aquifer that supplies area wells. Because the
source is the same for both, the health and quality of the aquifer
may be monitored at the spring.
Springs are typically classified by the
amount of water that flows from them. Magnitude 8 springs flow or
discharge from as little as >1 pint/minute. Magnitude 1 springs
have a flow or discharge rate of over 100 cu. ft./second. This
spring probably would be classified as a magnitude: 5 and have a
flow rate of 10 to 100 gal/min.
In the scenic hills just to the north of
the sleepy little Wisconsin town of Knapp, Mother Nature has hidden
some special treasures. These gems are the many small springs where
sparkling ground water, seemingly by magic, bubbles and gurgles to
the surface through cracks in the limestone strata and flows into
tiny streams.
Springs are a special and almost magical
place for many that visit them. Often wildlife may be observed near
the waters. The immediate area and just down stream from the spring
is often times choked full of bright green watercress, even in the
dead of winter. And, just yards away from where the spring emerges
tiny brook trout may be seen darting back and forth in the crystal
clear waters of the stream created.
Springs are special as there is no way
for us to create a new one. Those we have must be protected and
guarded for the resource and natural wonders that they are. The
very condition and quality of our precious ground water is on
display at these springs.
This particular spring is un-named. It
is a contributing spring branch to the north fork of Wilson Creek,
a native trout habitat. The lands it is located on are Wisconsin
DNR managed public hunting and fishing
grounds.
A special “Thanks” to Mr. Marty Engles,
Wisconsin DNR Area Chief Fisheries Biologist, for information about
this spring and approval of the subsequent Earth
Cache.
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To claim this Earth Cache you must do
the following: |
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1. Take a photo of yourself, and your
GPSr with the spring in the
background.
2. With a thermometer take readings of
the ambient air temperature the
day.you are there and a reading of the
water temperature as close to the spring as
practical.
3. Post your photo on the cache page and
email me with your temperature
results. |
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Special equipment you will need, beside
your GPSr to claim this
cache: |
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1. A digital
camera
2. A rugged digital thermometer on a
tether
3. A pen and
paper |
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Failure to comply with these
requirements will result in your log being
deleted.
* * NO EXCEPTIONS *
* |
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Please DO NOT drink from the spring
as the water purity has NOT been
verified. |
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Note: Wisconsin Geocache Placement
Notification form #2500-118 ® 6/06 has been submitted to Marty
Engel, Property Manager and Area Chief Fisheries Biologist. Contact
at Baldwin Area DNR Service Center, 890 Spruce St. Baldwin, WI
54002. (715)
684-2914 |