Pleasant Run Gaging Station EarthCache
Hidden : 7/8/2008
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


Park at
39 46 480 N
86 03.840 W
These coords are for parking on the side on the street. Please walk on and stay on sidewalk to reach the posted coords.

Gaging Station
This earthcache is designed to show the different ways the USGS measures stream and river levels at USGS 03353120 PLEASANT RUN AT ARLINGTON AVE.

Hydrologists monitor streams, wells, lakes, canals, reservoirs and or other water bodies, use gaging stations. There are several types of gages used by the USGS. All of these gages at least measure the stage of the stream (height of the water above a datum).

Staff Gage
Basically like a giant ruler mounted on a fixed point along the stream (i.e. bridge support or pier). Stage height is read manually by looking at the gage.

Wire Weight Gage
Permanently mounted on the side of a bridge or other overhead structure to measure the distance from a point of known elevation on the bridge to the water surface. A wire weight gage has a weight, a reel of wire, and a manual crank. This number is compared to datum height to calculate the stage of the stream.

Vertical Pipe Gage
This type of gage is mounted above a pipe that penetrates the bottom of the stream. Water flows into the pipe through holes or tubes in the side of the pipe or through the sediment and fills it to the same level as the water in the stream. Pressure sensors or a float/wire system is used to determine the height of the water. Some of these gages record the height of the water in a memory - which is then manually downloaded to a laptop.

Gage House
A permanent house that holds stream gaging equipment - typically a gage of some type, a computer, and a satellite uplink. A stilling well or a vertical pipe is beneath the gage house. These gages can collect information such as water height, discharge, water chemistry and water temperature

LOCAL GEOLOGY: The area surrounding the Pleasant Run is residential. The immediate area around the gaging station are wooded areas and there is a golf course. The topography in the area is relativly flat with some slight inclines away from the river. The water runoff from the neighborhood when it rains flows into Pleasant Run creek causing it to rise. Depending on the water level some of the flood waters will flow to downtown Indianapolis into the Whie river. This gaging station is vital because the water flow directly impacts the White river which travels through the city of Indianapolis. In times of heavy flooding these gaging stations along the creeks and rivers surrounding the city are early warning of potential flooding of low lying areas along the Pleasant Run and the White river downstream.
(visit link)

What you need to do in order to get credit for this cache.

1. What type of gage is used at this location?
2. A photo of you and your GPSr at the sign on the bridge south east corner.
3. What does the sign say between you and the gage? Its the one with the arrow.
4. What was the river height in Ft. the day you visited?See link on page above.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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