Terrace Park EarthCache
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In order to count this Earthcache as a find, you must complete the following tasks and email the answers to me.
1. What is the elevation at the top of the bluff?
2. What is the elevation at the bottom of the bluff?
3. Using your answers from questions 1 and 2, determine the slope of the bluff.
4. Describe the appearance of the water in Lake Covell.
5. Estimate the distance across the lake.
6. Estimate the length of the lake.
7. Describe the shape of the lake.
This Earthcache is located at Terrace Park in Sioux Falls. Terrace Park is located on a bluff overlooking an ancient part of the Big Sioux River's system of oxbows and overflow flood plains. The bluff Terrace Park sits on is part of a series of bluffs that form the east side of the Big Sioux River Valley. Covell Lake at Terrace Park was once apart of the Big Sioux River. Over time, erosion eventually cut the meandering loop off from the river and formed the half-moon shaped oxbow lake you see today. Terrace park offers a Japanese garden and a bandshell that is used for concerts during the summer. Please observe all park hours. Enjoy!
Twenty thousand years ago when massive glaciers moved across the continent, nearly all of the previous landscape was rearranged. Rocks ranging in size from the finest powder to boxcar-sized boulders were eroded, transported, and deposited else where by glaciers. As the glacier melted, piles of sediment were released from the ice. These piles of sediments are called moraines. A moraine is an accumulation of unconsolidated glacial debris, such as soil and rock. The bluff that Terrace Park sits on is an example of glacial debris left behind by the glacier that passed through the area. The bluff overlooking Sherman Park as well as the other hills next to the east side of the river are also part of this chain of sediments left behind by past glaciers. Much of the original site of Sioux Falls sits on these moraines.
An oxbow lake is a u-shaped body (think of a half-moon or a crescent shape) of water formed when a wide meander (loop or bend) from the main branch of a river is cut off. The oxbow lake is created over time as erosion and deposits of soil change the river's course.
On the inside of the loop, the river travels more slowly. This causes a build up of silt on the inside of the bend. At the same time, water on the outside of the loop moves faster. The faster flowing water erodes the river banks and widens the meander (river bend). Over time, the loop of the meander widens until eventually the stem of the river joins with the stem on the other side of the bend. As the river flows on its new course, sediment is deposited. This accumulation of sediment over time cuts off the loop from the river stem and creates an oxbow lake. Because oxbow lakes lack a current to move the water along, sediment builds up and slowly fills in the lake.
By the 1980s, Covell Lake had declined in both water quality and visual appeal. Sediment had built up in the bottom of the lake and silt had run into the lake from storm sewers, which had caused the lake to become shallow in several places. The Lake had also acquired a greenish tint from the algae blooms. In order to improve its quality and appearance, dredging began on Lake Covell in 1980 and ended in 1981. Dredging is an underwater excavation process that gathers up bottom sediments and disposes them at a different location. The silt from Lake Covell was pumped underground through existing storm sewers to the west side of West Avenue. It was then used to build up the low lying area that now houses three softball fields.
Geologically and historically, Terrace Park has had a lot of activity.
In 1922, while city officials were working on transforming the area into a park, it was determined that the bluff was too steep for people to use for a park. As a result, a series of terraces in the park were created by grading the bluff all the way down to the lake. In 1923, stone walkways and steps leading down the terraces were added.
The Japanese Gardens in the park was landscaped during the late 1920s and early 1930s. During World War II, its name was changed to the Chinese Gardens because China was an ally during the war. Unfortunately for the park, this name change was unable to stop the severe vandalism that occurred by people who were caught up in the war fever. The gardens quickly fell into disrepair during World War II and many stone ornaments were cast into the Lake. The gardens continued to decline until 1988 when the City decided to restore them.
Throughout the 1930s, swimming became one of the most popular activities at Terrace Park. Baseball also took off in the 1930s when the American Legion built new baseball fields at the park. Sioux quartzite stone retaining walls were put in place in the park in 1934 as part of a new program called the Civil Works Administration.
Tennis courts were installed in the 1950s; paddleboats were introduced to the lake in 1956 and retired in the 1990s. For nearly sixty years (1936-1996), Covell Lake had been used as an ice skating area and an annual ice carnival was held throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Four baseball fields were laid out on the west side of Covell Lake in the 1960s. This began the tradition of organized baseball at Terrace Park that still continues today. A football field was even located at the park in the 1950s at the site of the present day aquatic center.
Today, Terrace Park houses a newer family aquatic center, an updated bandshell, baseball fields, new walkways through the park, a new picnic shelter, and well-kept Japanese Gardens.
Resources:
"Siouxfalls.org: Terrace Park." Siouxfalls.org: Home. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. (visit link)
"What's It Like Where You Live?" MBGnet. Web. 29 Jan. 2010. (visit link)
NOT A LOGGING REQUIREMENT: Feel free to post pictures of your group at the area or the area itself - I love looking at the pictures.
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