Wapsi White Potato EarthCache
Hidden : 1/30/2010
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

The coordinates will take you to a bridge on highway 93 spanning the Wapsipinicon River. From this bridge you can see very scenic views of this protected Iowa river. Nearby you will see a gauging station monitored by the United States Geological Survey.

The Wapsipinicon River (locally known as the Wapsi) is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 225 mi (362 km) long. It flows generally southeast across rural Chickasaw, Bremer, and Buchanan counties. Along its lower 25 mi (40 km) it turns east, forming the boundary between Clinton and Scott counties.

The geologic area of the state that the Wapsipinicon River drains is the Iowan Erosion Surface. Much of the area is farmland due the relatively flat terrain. The one drawback to the farming of this area is the many glacial erratics, a leftover from glaciation. Fortunately the Wapsipinicon River is one of Iowa's protected rivers due to the large amount of buffer land protecting the water from agricultural run-off.

Literally the term Wapsipinicon translates to White Potato River which refers to the white artichokes which grew alongside the river. A story also exists in folklore of the naming of this river. Although there are variations on this story, the general idea is about two lovers, Wapsi and Pinicon, each from different tribes who lost their lives together in the river.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) monitors stream flow conditions and publishes real-time data for many sites throughout the country. This is one of those sites number USGS 05420680. Follow this link to see specific records for this site: (visit link)



To get credit for this EarthCache, please accomplish the following tasks and email the answers to the cache owner.



1) From the bridge looking south, describe the view.



2) Continue to the access road SE of the bridge: N 42 50.166 W 092 15.406

Imagine that the Wapsipinicon River were in flood stage. How many feet would the river have to rise to reach the bottom of the bridge?



3) What is the temperature of the river? (Or report if ice covered)



4) Visit the USGS link as listed above. Find the most recent date of reporting and provide the water temperature.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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