GC1C09E The Green Cascade (Earthcache) in New York, United States created by Andy Too

This cache has been archived.

geoawareCA: I am archiving this EarthCache listing as the owner is listed as "currently inactive". Part of the responsibility of the EarthCache owner is to review the answers submitted and monitor the logs. This cannot occur if the cache owner is inactive. Also, all requests for photographs should now be optional per the revised guidelines.

If the cache owner becomes active again and wishes to activate this EarthCache again, they may contact me directly though the link in my profile. I will review the listing and if it meets the current guidelines it may be unarchived at that time.

Thank you,

geoawareCA
EarthCache Reviewer

GC1C09E ▼

A cache by Andy Too Message this owner

Hidden : 5/6/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

The Upper Rapids area of the Niagara River is much more than they seem.

Construction of the new pathways is complete so I am re-enabling this cache. Please stay on the pathways at all times and do not attempt to get close to the water's edge as it is very dangerous

The above coordinates will take you to the southern side of Celinda Eliza Island , one of the Three Sister Islands. If you look east you are presented with the view of a green wall of water about eight feet high seeming to be flooding down upon you. Here the river is flowing over the side of the ancient St. David’s Valley, part of the inter-glacial drainage system that includes the buried St. David’s Gorge ( see also Earthcache GC11WJA ). If you visit during the time of high water diversion for power generation, or even when there is a strong westerly wind, much more of the rock is exposed and you can clearly see the glacial erosion features called “roches moutonnees” (sheep’s rocks).

The curious feature of this ancient valley edge is that there is relatively little erosion of the valley walls as evidenced by the straight path they take across the present river. This is the result of their being exposed relatively recently, geologically speaking. The area had been blanketed by a thick layer of sands and gravels that was deposited as the Niagara Falls Terminal Moraine. Until the present river had eroded back to and through the Hubbard Ridge some 4000 years ago the water level behind the falls was about 60 feet higher than today. As the gorge continued to erode and the water level dropped, the layers of moraine deposits were washed from the river bed, exposing the ancient valley edge. These deposits can be seen exposed today on Goat Island, which was itself exposed by the dropping water level. On the island the glacial layers are capped by a layer of fresh water sediments deposited during it’s time under water.

The ancient valley walls have produced another erosion feature, this time on the Canadian side of the river, the Dufferin Islands Embayment. Because there is a gradual downward incline of the rock layers in this area toward the south ( over 4 feet across the span of the river ), not only is the major water flow through the Canadian channel, but, as the water flows over the valley edge it is directed toward the shore. This has resulted in erosion into the moraine deposits there and even more of the ancient valley is exposed to the south.

In order to log this cache please post a photo of yourself with the green cascade as the background. Then use your GPS to estimate the height of the cascade above that of the brink of the present falls and E-mail me your estimate.( Note, Handicapped individuals may also log the cache by posting a photo taken on the bridge to Celinda Eliza Island looking south. The view is dry but the valley walls are visible.)

Parking for this cache is available (free) in the Three Sisters lot at N. 43 04.762, W 079 03.925. Other parking on the island is for a fee depending on the season.

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This cache has been archived.

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The Green Cascade EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

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