Pheasant Branch Springs EarthCache
Hidden : 7/6/2009
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Pheasant Branch Springs

This is an Earthcache. There is NO container. See http://www.earthcache.org/ for further details.
There are (5) requirements listed below that you must complete in order to log this EarthCache.


Pheasant Branch Springs is located just north of Middleton in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy. This spring is the largest and coolest spring that I have seen! Park at N43 07.349 W089 29.461. Follow the path to an observation deck for the springs. If biking, please leave your bike at the gravel trail when you turn onto the mowed path to the deck. Please do not leave the observation deck or mowed trail.

A spring is a natural flow of groundwater coming through the surface of the earth. Springs occur when water is absorbed into the ground in the recharge area. The water then seeps down into an aquifer. An aquifer is a layer in the ground that is able to hold water.

There are two types of aquifers. The most common type and the type that is at Pheasant Branch Springs is an unconfined aquifer, which has an impermeable (water cannot go through it freely) layer under but not above it. Another type and less common aquifer is a confined aquifer, in which a water supply is sandwiched between two impermeable layers. These are sometimes called artesian aquifers because when a well is drilled into this layer, the pressure is so great that water may spurt to the surface without being pumped. This is also known as an artesian well.
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Here at Pheasant Branch Springs, the water in the unconfined aquifer can either over flow or seep out through a fault in the ground. This is what you see happening here.

This spring and many more could be lost if the spring’s recharge area is covered with concrete and asphalt. A recharge area is the area where water seeps into the ground and replenishes the aquifer. The diagram below shows the Pheasant Branch Spring recharge area.


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Logging Requirements of this EarthCache:

1. When logging, please upload a picture of you/and your group (include all Geocaching names) with your GPSr at the front of the observation deck so that you do not show the spring in your picture, but that you can prove that you were there!

Please do not post a picture of the spring itself. It will give away the answers and besides it is too cool to not let others see it for themselves!




Ge-O-Me at Pheasant Branch Spring


Then, E-mail to me the answers to these three questions. Please do not leave the observation deck! The springs and area around it are a sensitive area. (Please do not include the answers in your log or it will have to be deleted.)

2. What do you think is the approximate size of the spring open water area? (X’ x X’)

3. What type of ground surface (gravel, large rocks, sand, etc.) does the water come through?

4. What do you estimate is the water depth at this spring?

5. Find the kiosk above the spring on the gravel trail. This sign tells how many gallons of water flows from these springs each day. What is the answer?



Sources:

http://www.pheasantbranch.org/pdf/pb_brochure.pdf

http://www.epa.gov

The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to Jacob Fries of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained at:http://www.wi-geocaching.com/hiding

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