Braidwood Dunes & Savannah EarthCache
Hidden : 2/4/2010
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you log a find on this EC without providing the appropriate answers, I will exercise the right to delete your log without explanation. So please read the full listing & take appropriate steps to ensure this does not happen.

Welcome to Braidwood Dunes. The area is an Illinois State Nature Preserve and is managed by the Will County Forest Preserve District (WCFPD). Thanks to WCFPD with whom permission was obtained to establish this earth cache.


Google Earth imagery


Where's the beach? A large swath of land in vicinity of Braidwood, IL is dotted with sand dunes and dune remnants -- not an expected sight amid the forests and farmlands here. Yet, there is no beach: these dunes are the result of Glacial Lake Wauponsee – a lake formed by the melt-waters from the Wisconsinan glacier.

The melt-water -- its current carrying silt and stones -- lost speed and pooled-up in this area. This was due to the the Marseilles moraine (a ridge of glacially-deposited sediment) to the southwest: the moraine acted like an earthen dam that retained the melt-water and resulted in the creation of Lake Wauponsee. Thus, the silt & stones carried by the current gradually settled to the bottom of the lake.

However, the waters eventually overflowed and otherwise broke through the moraine. The end result: the silt and stones remained at the lake's bottom -- where you are standing today. So, yes, you are now standing on the bottom of glacial Lake Wauponsee!

This graphic gives an idea of the lake’s size and location (courtesy Illinois State Museum website).


In addition to the dunes, this particular plot of land is a Black Oak savannah community. A savannah is generally defined by widely-spaced trees which allow enough light to reach the ground. In turn, this allows the understory (ground plant growth) to flourish. Black Oaks, by nature, are especially suited for survival in this type of environment: its leaves have a thick cuticle (“waxy coating”) that helps to slow down the process of evaporation.

This area is one of the largest and most diverse examples of its type remaining in Illinois. Still, nature and man have both taken their toll. Per the Illinois DNR, “the amount of sand prairie and savanna that once existed in the area is unknown. Most of it was destroyed during the past century and a half”. Hence, today the Will County FPD and IL DNR take steps to preserve this geologically-historic land. Prescribed burns are administered to eliminate invasive species and to ensure the understory growth remains intact.

So let’s take a quick tour by visiting this EC’s waypoints. Be sure to stay on the trail at all times. When you’ve completed the EC tour, feel free to continue your journey along the remaining trails. If you choose to leave, continue counter-clockwise (or generally north) as the trail will lead back to the parking lot.


TO LOG THIS EARTH CACHE
Please complete the following tasks and
send your results through my Geocaching profile:


Question: According to the informational sign at the listed coordinates, this preserve contains plants and animals that are “exceedingly rare”. What are they?

Waypoint B1: Record the dune’s elevation per your GPS device.

Waypoint B2: is a three-part step:

-(a) At this point, record your elevation per your GPS device.

-(b) On the north side of the trail, describe the appearance of this part of the dune & explain the factors that influenced its shape

-(c) On the south side of the trail: estimate the diameter of each of the double oaks.

Waypoint B3 Post a picture of your GPS device (or yourself) with an eastward view down this sandy trail.




Website Sources:
Will County Forest Preserve District
Chicago Wilderness Magazine
Illinois State Museum
Illinois DNR

With Mother Nature's help, I have earned GSA's highest level:

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