England's Largest Lake EarthCache
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This is the main hydrological point of a huge area known as Martin Mere. A mere is a vast marsh, and this used to be the largest lake in England. That is, until it was drained.
Martin Mere was originally formed at the end of the last Ice Age, when water filled a depression in the glacial drift. Since then its size has varied as water levels have risen and fallen. Active management of the mere began in 1694 when Thomas Fleetwood cut a channel to drain the mere to the sea. Further attempts were made to drain the mere in the 1780s, but effective drainage was achieved in the mid-19th century with the introduction of steam pumping. Farms and market gardens were established on the rich soils of the reclaimed land.
Crossens Pumping Station is constantly pumping the water away from the land, down the large drainage channels. If the pumps stop, then this whole, vast area (as far as Croston, Burscough and Formby) will get placed underwater in next to no time.
TO LOG THE CACHE :
Photographic the large erratic boulder that was dug out when the pumping station was built.
Estimate either the width, height, or weight of the boulder.
Where was the erratic boulder originally from?
Look downstream of the pumping station to gauge sea level. Look upstream of the pumping station to gauge the drained level. Photograph an area that would be underwater if it wasn't for the pumps.
When was the pumping station built?
Photograph some of the mechanics of the pumping station.
PLEASE UPLOAD ALL PHOTOS TO YOUR LOG.
PLEASE SEND ALL ANSWERS TO ME.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LOG WITHOUT GETTING CONFIRMATION FROM ME FIRST (though I may delete logs without photos).
There's more about this area here :
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