Aldridge Creek meets the mighty Tennessee River EarthCache
Hidden : 8/4/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


Aldridge Creek meets the mighty Tennessee River


Paleolithic hunters who followed large game south during the last glacial period were probably the first humans in the Tennessee valley. The banks on this part of the river are low which made for easy crossing. Before the river was dammed by the T.V.A. the average dept of water here was about 4ft. Both up stream and down you will find high bluffs which created a natural funnel here for large game migrating south.


The coordinates for this Earth Cache will carry you to what is known as a confluence. Which describes the meeting of point two or more bodies of water. The Tennessee River, has over the years carved its way through the southern part of the U.S. and at this location the river flow has carved its way through the soil with several changes in its location. If you take a close look at a topographic map you can see where the river has changed its flow at least 2 times in its history. Each of the creeks and rivers of the Tennessee water shed all add to the flow of the river, all adding to its ability to carve and change the landscape, even in this day and age.
Below you will see geological descriptions of a confluence and a river. Aldridge Creek is just one of 100’s of tributaries that flow into the Tennessee River. Along this creek though is a great greenway that stretches from Mountain Gap Road to Ditto Landing. Geocaches, Birdwatchers, cyclists, joggers, track team members, dog-walkers, amateur botanists and nature lovers of all kinds come to the greenway. So if you have the time be sure to take a nice walk.
Now back to the river. The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles (1049 km) long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names. Here at Ditto you can find several seating locations to just sit back and enjoy the river and all it has to offer. Some other History on The Site of Ditto's Landing and Town of Whitesburg In 1807 pioneer James Ditto began operating a ferry with landings on both sides of the Tennessee River. Early settlers landed here in order to reach their lands in Madison County.
James White, Salt King of Abingdon, Va., established a thriving port at this location, incorporated as Whitesburg on Dec. 23, 1824. Throughout the 19th century this port remained an important cotton shipping center. With the advent of railroads water transportation declined and the town soon disappeared. Its post office closed in 1905.
Confluence
Confluence, in geography, describes the meeting of two or more bodies of water. It usually refers to the point where a tributary joins a more major river. A notable confluence is the merging of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. This merging point is the beginning of the Ohio River, thus forming a confluence in Pittsburgh. Then the Ohio meets the Mississippi for another notable confluence. The confluence of the Ohio and Big Sandy Rivers is not as big, but by definition is the same as the confluences described above. River
A large natural stream of water (larger than a creek). A river is a large natural waterway. It is a specific term in the vernacular for large streams, stream being the umbrella term used in the scientific community for all flowing natural waterways. In the vernacular, stream may be used to refer to smaller streams, as may creek, run, fork, etc.
A River starts at a point called its source, and enters a sea or lake at its mouth. Along its length it may be joined by smaller rivers called tributaries. A river and its tributaries are contained within a drainage basin called the watershed. The point at which two or more rivers join, is called the confluence.

Requirements for logging the cache:
1. Upload a picture of you and GPSr and the rivers behind you.
2. Email through our profile, the answers to the following questions: All requirments must be done within 1 week of logging find, or your log will be deleated.
A. Calculate the flow rate in "Feet Per Second" for EACH of the two bodies of water , the Tennessee AND Aldridge Creek . This may be done by measuring a distance along each of the rivers banks, floating an object from your starting point to the ending point, and recording the time it takes the object to float the distance. Once the "Distance" and "Time" are determined, calculate the "Feet Per Second" for EACH River.
B. Name two of the four states in part or in whole within the Tennessee River drainage basin.
C. Which is the closest Lock and Dam facilities to this part of the Tennessee River?
D. Estimate within +/- 100 yards, the width of the Tennessee River in yards, from the Waypoint to the nearest bank on the far side of the river.
E. Estimate within +/- 20 yards, the width of Aldridge Creek in yards, from the Waypoint to the nearest bank.




Additional Hints (No hints available.)



Attributes

No attributes available

Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all 9 bookmark lists...