GEOLOGY OF CHAIN O’ LAKES
The Chain O’
Lakes system was formed as part of the glacial scour process that
the formed the Great Lakes. The surface geology of the Chain
O’ Lakes, including Elk Lake and its surrounding area, was
formed 10,000 to 12,000 years ago by glacial activity, which was
dominated by medium-textured glacial till, composed of non-sorted
glacial debris, loam and silt loam texture with variable amounts of
cobbles and boulders. The Bedrock consists of Berea Sandstone,
Bedford Shale and Ellsworth Shale. Numerous advances and retreats
by the glaciers resulted in the locally complex pattern of erosion
and deposition. The drainage channels scoured by the glaciers
resulted in depressions oriented linearly from the northwest to the
southeast. Along the lakes, the geological composition is primarily
Lacustrine sand and gravel. This type of sand and gravel typically
occur as former beaches and near offshore deposits of the glacial
Great Lakes.
CHAIN O’ LAKES
WATERSHED
The Chain O’ Lakes Watershed
provides approximately 60% of the input of surface water input to
the Grand Traverse Bay. As such, “Watershed Management”
of this unique resource is vital. Watershed Management is an
iterative process of integrated decision-making regarding uses and
modifications of lands and waters within a watershed. This process
provides a chance for stakeholders to balance diverse goals and
uses for environmental resources, and to consider how their
cumulative actions may affect long-term sustainability of these
resources. The Guiding Principles of the process are Partnerships,
Geographic Focus, & Sound Management (strong science &
data).
As a form of ecosystem management,
watershed management encompasses the entire watershed system, from
uplands and headwaters, to floodplain wetlands and river channels.
It focuses on the processing of energy and materials (water,
sediments, nutrients, and toxics) downslope through this system. Of
principle concern is management of the basin's water budget, that
is the routing of precipitation through the pathways of
evaporation, infiltration, and overland flow. This routing of
groundwater and overland flow defines the delivery patterns to
particular streams, lakes, and wetlands; and largely shapes the
nature of these aquatic
systems.
To log this cache as a find,
please do the
following:
1. Take a picture
with yourself or GPS with Elk Lake in the background at the boat
launch. If you do not have a camera, include in an email to the
cache owner who funded the construction of the boat
launch.
2. How many lakes and
rivers comprise the “Chain
O’Lakes”?
3. How many square
miles is this watershed comprised
of?
EMAIL THE CACHE OWNER
YOUR ANSWERS. Answers to 2 and 3 above are on the Watershed Center
sign.
 This cache placed and
maintained by a member of NMG. Click here for more details. |
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