Hines Park Floodplain EarthCache
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This is my first Earth Cache. I hope you enjoy it and that you
learn a bit about floodplains. This cache is going to take you to
an area of Hines Park where I can illustrate the features of a
floodplain.
A floodplain
A floodplain is nearly flat land adjacent to a stream or river that
experiences occasional or periodic flooding. It includes the flood
way, which is the stream or river itself and the immediate bank
area that carry flood flows, or the actual current of the stream or
river, and the flood fringe, which are areas covered by the flood,
but do not experience a strong current.
Physical Geography
Flood plains are made by a meander eroding sideways as it goes
downstream. Also when a river breaks its banks and floods it leaves
behind layers of rock and mud. These build up to create the floor
of the flood plain. Floodplains generally contain unconsolidated
sediments, often extending below the bed of the stream. These are
accumulations of sand, gravel, loam, silt, and/or clay, and are
often important aquifers, the water being drawn from them being
pre-filtered compared to the water in the stream.
Ecology
Floodplains can support particularly rich ecosystems, both in
quantity and diversity. They are a category of riparian zones or
systems. A floodplain can contain 100 to 1000 times as many species
as a river. Wetting of the floodplain dirt causing a surge of
nutrients in the soil. those left over from the last flood, and
those that result from the rapid decomposition of organic matter
that has accumulated since then. Microscopic organisms thrive and
larger species enter a rapid breeding cycle. Opportunistic feeders
(particularly birds) move in to take advantage. The production of
nutrients peaks and falls away quickly; however the surge of new
growth endures for some time. This makes floodplains particularly
valuable for agriculture.
Markedly different species grow in floodplains than grow outside of
floodplains. For instance, riparian trees (that grow in
floodplains) tend to be very tolerant of root disturbance and tend
to be very quick-growing, compared to non-riparian trees.
In order to get credit for this Earth Cache you will need to
accomplish a couple easy things.
First go to:
N42 20.484
W83 20.178
This will take you to the edge of the river. Please estimate the
distance from the surface of the water to where you are standing,
in other words how much the Rouge River will have to rise before it
breaks it's banks.
Now go to:
N42 20.498
W083 20.186
This should put you on a collection of sediment that has washed up
from flooding. I want you to describe the make up of the sediment
and estimate it's depth.
Now go to:
N42 20.518
W083 20.172
This will take you to a high point between two riparian ponds where
the surge of wildlife can take place. I want you to describe the
ponds at the time of your visit and get a picture of you and/or
your GPSr on the high point between the two. Be sure to include
notes on any wildlife you may spot in the area.
Lastly I want you to go to:
N42 20.804
W083 22.309
These coordinates will take you to a bridge that will provide you
with a view up and down the river. This area provides a good
illustration of the effects that the swelling river has on it's
ever growing banks. I want you to tell me what erosion is doing to
the areas up and downstream from this bridge. There are both
natural and man made or placed materials being affected. Try to
explain both to me.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
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