Located in one of the few remaining headwater swamps in eastern
Arkansas, this location is the Point of Origin for two very
different things.
The most obvious is the historical point where the survey of
Louisiana Purchase starts. The marker at the end of the boardwalk
is due north of the confluence between the Arkansas River and the
Mississippi and due west of the Mississippi's confluence with the
St. Francis River.
From this point extend the 5th principal meridian and the
Baseline for the surveying of all land that makes up all or part of
the thirteen states carved out of the Purchase.
Less obviously it is also a point of origin for Little Cypress
Creek.
Unlike a backwater swamp which fills and drains due to the
flooding of a major stream, a headwater swamp is a collection point
for normal watershed rainfall which then drains into creeks and
streams. Because of this, although the water levels in a headwater
swamp vary, they are not as subject to the more drastic cycles of
flooding and drying that backwater swamps are.
When the 1815 Survey crews began working their way across the
country the entire eastern part of Arkansas was described by one
explorer as "areas swamp and briars alternating with areas of
briars and swamp" but after almost 200 years of draining and
cultivation this tiny 38 acre park is almost all that remains.
As you stroll along the boardwalk take note of the diversity of
life around you and read the informational plaques spaced along the
railing (there will be a quiz!). Many of the plants such as the
Bald Cypress and animals such as the bird-voiced treefrog can only
survive in the near perpetual damp of swamplands.
To get credit for this cache you must e-mail the answers to the
following questions:
1: At the end of the boardwalk facing the marker estimate the
depth of the water below you and then look at the tannin stains on
the granite marker. How deep does the water get here?
2: What species has been spotted here that is considered endangered
but is growing in numbers?
3: What bush "plays a surprising and complex role" in the ecology
of the swamp?
4: Who "owned" this land in 1795?
Finally take a picture of yourself and your GPSr with the
granite marker in the background and post it with your log. If you
have privacy concerns you can use photo editing software to smudge
out your face, face away from the camera, or even take a picture
where only part of your body shows, but enough of you must be in
the picture so that people that already know who you are can say
"Yep, that's Bob."
The photo should be included with your log detailing your visit,
but the answers to the questions should be sent as a message.
Developed by a Silver Earthcache Master
