The Oxbows of Baird Creek EarthCache
The Oxbows of Baird Creek
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Difficulty:
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A Meander
Water, acted upon by gravity will always flow downhill until it reaches the lowest point attainable, such as a lake or ocean. In a steep gradient terrain, the force and speed of this water will erode almost everything in its way, cutting a channel that tends to be fairly straight. In a low gradient terrain, the flow of water is slower and less powerful, forcing it to zigzag around obstacles, taking the path of least resistance. This zigzagging of a watercourse is called a meander.
Erosion and Deposition
Deposition of sand, silt and gravel from within this water flow occurs on the convex bank, which is the inside or smaller radius bank (also called a point bar). This is due to the water velocity being slower and weaker and thus, unable to carry sediment.
Erosion and undercutting occur on the concave bank, which is the outside or greater radius bank (also called the cut bank). This is due to the water velocity being faster and stronger, and thus, able to carry and remove sediment as it flows.
An Oxbow
The continual erosion of the outer bank and deposition of sediment at the inner bank leads to the formation of a pronounced loop. Over time, this process continues until the loop makes a complete circle and reconnects back into itself. This meander loop is now abandoned as a new streambed is formed and the water flow takes the easier, straighter, more direct course. The abandoned crescent-shaped loop has now become an Oxbow lake. Without a steady supply of water, sedimentation of organic and inorganic debris, will raise the lake bed to a level at which it can no longer retain water, leaving behind a dry gulley where the original meander once existed.
This EarthCache will take you on a hike along Baird Creek. There are 6 waypoints you must visit to complete this EC. Question #1 (plus parts A or B) must be answered for “EACH” of the 6 waypoints. Observations made along the way will help you answer questions #2 and #3. A total of 14 answers must be emailed to me using the link in my profile.
1. At the waypoint before you, is an oxbow being formed or does the creek run on a fairly straight course?
A. If the waypoint before you is an oxbow, state on which bank of the loop you are standing. Your answer will be either – the cut bank or point bar.
B. If the waypoint before you is a straight portion of the creek, use your GPSr or compass, and state in what direction (or degree) the creek is flowing.
2. At which waypoint has the creek already formed a complete loop, creating a 30’ by 50’ island between the new straightened channel and the original loop? (Hint – At least 2 of these waypoints contain islands, 1 being much larger than the other). I am looking for the largest of these islands.
3. At which waypoint is a small cascade located? (Hint – it’s not at an oxbow waypoint).
From start to finish the hike on this EC is about 1 mile long. 75 to 80% (if not more) of this hike is on a newly paved level blacktop walkway. Only 2 waypoints (next to each other) are not on this paved walkway but are located on a wide dirt trail used for biking and XC skiing. Remain on the dirt trail towards the next waypoint and it reconnects to the blacktop walkway taking you to the next waypoint. Bushwhacking is not an issue. The coordinates given are for parking.
With a keen eye one can observe the remnants of dry oxbows, dead feeder streams and abandoned channels on this hike. At the cascade waypoint, blue Maquoketa Shale exposures can be seen in the lower cliff face on the opposite side of the creek. These shale exposures can only be seen in 2 or 3 locations in Northeast Wisconsin.
Baird Creek Parkway is filled with large Oak, Maple, Birch, Cedar and Hemlock trees and is one of the last remnants of old growth forest in the entire area.
If your answers are not recieved by me, your log will be deleted. Photos are accepted and appreciated as long as the answers are not pictured. You do not have to wait for confirmation from me before logging this cache as completed. Most of all……learn……and enjoy the view.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
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