Miners Ravine is a watershed/wetland area with parking near the coordinates. This cache parking area can only be accessed by driving toward Sacramento on Sierra College Boulevard or by the bike/walking trail. Near the trail head there is an informative sign called "Miners Ravine at a Glance".
The Miners Ravine Off-Channel Detention Basin Facility was established to help reduce flooding in the Dry Creek watershed, enhance environmental restoration and recreation. It reduces peak flood flows in the lower Dry Creek watershed by capturing and holding water in the basin and enlarged floodplain. Environmentally it has enhanced Chinook salmon and steelhead habitat and passage, a cattail-tule marsh, riparian vegetation, seasonal wetland and oak woodland habitats and improved water quality. There is a bicycle/walking trail, trailhead parking and living classroom through three interpretive exhibits along the trail.
A watershed is an area of land that captures water draining down slope, a drainage basin. The water is captured by surface and underground drainage and collects in streams. As streams flow downstream, they merge and become larger, These streams then flow through the drainage basin to a common low point, eventually flowing into a bay or ocean. A healthy watershed has many important functions, such as reducing flooding by providing areas for storm water to collect, filtering pollutants from urban runoff, providing diverse habitat for a variety of wildlife and providing a nature experience for community members. Wetlands are areas that are saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. Wetlands provide a multitude of ecological, economic and social benefits. They provide habitat for fish, wildlife and a variety of plants. Water found in wetlands can be saltwater, freshwater, or brackish.
To log this cache, go to the above coordinates for required information. Then e-mail me your answers (PLEASE DO NOT SEND THE ANSWERS THROUGH THE MESSAGE CENTER). Enter your find and post your picture to your log. I will contact you if there is a problem. (Do NOT post the answers in your log.)
1. Names of the cachers in your group and name of the cache.
2. Estimate the length, width and depth of the basin?
3. What are the three major components of this project?
4. Take a picture of yourself or a personal item in front of the sign that says "Share the Trail".