This cache has been archived.

beta59: Mother nature has muggled this Earth Cache. So sorry to announce that this cache will be archived since the oxbow lake has dried up.

GC21R5V ▼

A cache by gjsikma Message this owner

Hidden : 12/5/2009

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Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Earth Caching

To learn something about our planet.
The treasure you find is the lesson you learn.
Leave nothing but footprints behind.
Do not pick any plants, remove any organisms, or disturb any wildlife.
Leave No Trace.

!!! Congratulations !!!
Phil & Verla from OZ
For FTF Honors!!!

This EarthCache explores the effects of hydrology in the formation of river meanders and oxbows in the Neosho River as it flows across the prairie floor. In particular, we will examine the creation of a unique double oxbow near Neosho Falls. It was a fun learning experience with my grand daughters from Iola.

River

A river is a large natural stream of water that is larger than a creek; a large natural waterway. It is a specific term in the vernacular for large streams, stream being the umbrella term used in the scientific community for all flowing natural waterways. In the vernacular, stream may be used to refer to smaller streams, as creek, run, fork, etc. A river starts at a point called its source, or headwaters, and enters a sea, lake, or a larger river at its mouth. Along its length it may be joined by smaller rivers called tributaries. A river and its tributaries are contained within a drainage basin called the watershed.

Our planet is lined with a blue veins and arteries. Looking from far enough above the surface of the earth it is reminiscent of the veins and arteries in our own bodies. The earth's arteries are a vast web of rivers and streams that channel water across the planet, always seeking lower elevations. A river is a large natural stream of water that is larger than a creek. It is a specific term in the geographical vernacular for large streams. Stream is the umbrella term used in the scientific community for all flowing natural waterways. Thus, stream may be used to refer to smaller streams, as creek, run, fork, etc.

Meandering Streams

Confined by narrow valleys, mountain streams can't move laterally. Typically, they can only move vertically, for the most part, and this takes away a degree of freedom in their ability to adjust to energy conditions in the stream system. Prairie streams, by contrast, lack the high level of energy of their mountain cousins. Prairie or lowland streams manage their energy more uniformly and efficiency through a process called meandering. Meandering is lateral movement that streams may take over the face of the landscape. It is the zigzagging or winding motion of the waterway.

Oxbow Lakes

An oxbow is a crescent-shaped lake lying alongside a winding river. The oxbow lake is created over time as erosion and deposits of soil change the river's course. You can see how an oxbow lake takes shape in the diagrams provided on the right.

(1) On the inside of the loop, the river travels more slowly leading to deposition of silt.

(2) Meanwhile water on the outside edges tends to flow faster, which erodes the banks making the meander even wider. Over time the loop of the meander widens until the neck vanishes altogether.

(3) Then the meander is removed from the river's current and the horseshoe shaped oxbow lake is formed. Without a current to move the water along, sediment builds up along the banks and fills in the lake.

As the oxbow lake separates from the flow of the river, the constant source of fresh water is also cut off from the lake. Over time, the vegetation of the lake changes the chemical composition of the water. In several cases, the pH level of the water may change and either become more acidic or it may take on a more alkaline characteristic.

On the flat topography of the Kansas prairie, the Neosho River slowly flows and meanders. In areas of low, gradual slope, the path of a river has a perpensity to wander back and forth creating meanders, or curves. Along each curve, the flow of the river is constantly eroding the outside bank of the meander, while at the same time depositing material on the inside. This is because the area of fastest flow in the river is forced to the outside bank on the curves and the slowest flow is on the inside. Faster water carries more sediment causing the erosion. The slower water is unable to carry as much sediment, so some sediment drops out of the water. The result is a steep bank on the outer edge of a meander and a gentle slope on the inner edge.

Over time, meanders get larger more pronounced as the outer edge is eroded away and the inner edge has material deposited on it. Given enough time, the meanders could get so curvy that they bend back and touch itself creating an oxbow lake. In the case of this particular topography, there is a nearly complete double oxbow. The first oxbow was created many years ago and since that time, the continued formation of another oxbow has developed.

In order to see an animation of a meandering river and the creation of an oxbow lake, click here and an animation will open in another window or tab of your browser.

The Neosho River

The Neosho Basin covers approximately 6,300 square miles and encompasses all or parts of 18 counties in southeastern Kansas. The major streams in the basin are the Neosho River, and its tributary the Cottonwood River and the Spring River in the southeast portion of the basin. The Neosho and Spring rivers join the Arkansas River in Oklahoma. There are three major reservoirs in the river system: Council Grove, Marion and John Redmond lakes.

The local economy is based primarily on agriculture and general manufacturing. The major crops grown in the basin include wheat, grain sorghum and soybeans. The production of beef cattle is another important part of the agricultural economy of the area. The production of oil and gas is a relatively small but important component of the economy. A significant amount of coal, lead and zinc mining occurred historically in the southeastern portion of the basin. Strip mining of coal is the only one of these mining activities, which continues today.

Neosho River Basin

The Neosho was first known to the white man as Le Grande, this name having been bestowed by the French. The year it received this title is a matter of conjecture. Pike, in the account of his journey to the Pawnee village in 1806, mentions the stream as a "grand fork of the White river." M. Carey and Son, in their General Atlas, published in 1817, call the stream the Grand. Stephen H. Long, in the account of his expedition of 1819-1820, adds other names to the list. He says: "A short ride brought us to the Neosho or Grand river, better known to the hunters by the singular designation of the Six Bulls" This is believed to be the first printed mention of the stream as the Neosho, which is an Osage word. An explorer who spent a number of years with Osage and other tribes along the southern border of Kansas, says that "Neosho is an Osage word, meaning 'Ne,' water; 'osho,' clear.

The Neosho is famed for its beauty, running through some of the choicest agricultural lands within the state, while its banks are lined with a wealth of native timber. The stream is formed by an east and west branch, the first named having its source in the southwest corner of Wabaunsee county, while the west branch starts at a point about fourteen or fifteen miles west of Council Grove. These two branches unite a little north-west of Council Grove, and flow in a general southeast direction, entering Oklahoma at a point a little southwest of the village of Mill Rose, and emptying into the Arkansas near Fort Gibson.

The Neosho is 404 miles long, of which about 300 miles are within Kansas, and has an approximate drainage area of 5,100 square miles within the state. It has a drainage area of 12,660 square miles, and flow at its mouth varies from 133,000 cubic feet per second to as little as 35 cubic feet. In Kansas, irrigation and flood-control installations along the river include dams and reservoirs at Council Grove and below Neosho Rapids. The crossing of the river at Council Grove was a starting point for the Santa Fe Trail.

Neosho Double Oxbow Topographic Map

The topographic map to the right shows the area that surrounds the waypoint for the Neosho River Double Oxbow Earth Cache. This perspective shows Circle Lake as a distinctly different body of water separated from the river by dry ground. It is also obvious that another oxbow lake is forming from the main river channel. When you are in the area, you will be able to observe the Ripperian Groves that surround the lakes; protecting and helping to purify them. While the road that you likely used to approach the Earth Cache waypoint prevents the river from returning to its previous flow, the course was changed long before the road acted as a man-made barrier.

Logging Requirements

Send the answers to #1 - #5 to me through my geocaching profile and post a picture for #6 in your log. I will only reply to the emails if there is a problem. Not sending answers or not having your picture posted will result in log deletion.

1. List the name GC21R5V Neosho Double Oxbow in the first line of your email.
2. Indicate the number of people in your group.
3. Take a sample of the water from the oxbow lake (Circle Lake) and determine the pH level of the sample.
4. Take a sample of the water from the Neosho River and determine the pH level of the sample. Easy access to the river can be found near the parking area below.
5. Explain in your own words the reason for the difference or similarity of the two samples.
6. Take a picture of yourself and your GPS with the Oxbow Lake visible behind you. Post this picture in your log.

Resources

Kansas Water Office
Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Neosho River by George A. Root
Cumbria and Lancashire Education Online
Missouri Botanical Gardens
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Terraserver
Mick Zerr and the Leif Ericson Organization
Prof. Stephen A. Nelson, Tulane University

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Grfg xvgf gb rinyhngr cU yriryf pna or sbhaq ng nal cynpr gung fryyf be freivprf cbbyf, fcnf, be ubg ghof.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

Neosho Double Oxbow EarthCache