Resaca RDLPSP EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Located in Resace De La Palma State Park. Assessible by hike, bike, or tram then short walk when trams are operating.
An entrance fee is required.
Park operating hours are from 0800 to 1700 seven day a week.
PLEASE REFER TO THE ATTACHED AERIAL PHOTO SHOWING THE OLD RIVER MEANDERINGS.
The Rio Grande River deposited sediments for centuries during period of flooding from its source in Colorado. The sediment eventually altered the flow of the river before it entered the Gulf Of Mexico.
The Rio Grande was once a powerful and might river;
It once snaked across its delta, changing course from year to year due to seasonal flooding. Former river channels or resacas were created long ago, and are still invaluable to both humans and wildlife.
Now surrounded by urban development, many resacas are flooded artificially for municipal and agricultural water storage.
River deltas have sustained humans and wildlife for thousands of years. Flooding along he Rio Grande created rich delta soils which once supported a tapestry of diferent subtropical habitats ad wldlife communities.
Some 11,500 years ago at the end of the last ice age, the climate was cooler and wetter than today. The Rio Grande delta was much larger and the coastline extended 15 miles further into the Gulf of Mexico.
As the climate gradually became warmer and drier the Rio Grande carried less sediment to the coast and the delta decreased in size.
Today demand for water from the Rio Grande almost exceeds capacity and sometimes only a trickle of water reaches the Gulf Of Mexico. How do you think this will affect our lives in the future?
The old river channel has great significance to the development of the flora and fauna that now exists in and along those old river channels.
There are nine soil types identified here. The most prominant is Laredo silt clay a darkish-brown calcareous clay about 13 inches thick which supports a variety of flora and fauna including many rare species.
To claim this cache visit the park and the coords provided.
Answer the question and email to the cache owner.
DO NOT POST THE ANSWERS IN YOUR LOG!
1. What other term is used for resaca in many parts of the world?
2. What is the year given on the lower left part of the panel?
3. Walk to the overlook deck a few feet away to view this geological feature and identify the specis of duck depicted on the right side of the panel?
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)