Tahoe -- Taylor Creek Filter Earthcache EarthCache
Tahoe -- Taylor Creek Filter Earthcache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(not chosen)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
As an earthcache, there is no “box” or “container” to discover. Rather, with this cache, you discover something about the geology of the area. For more info, consult www.earthcache.org
For paperless cachers, the logging requirements have been listed first, then the description.
Logging Requirements:
IN YOUR LOG:
1. Mention what time of year it is and at either the main or alternate cords, estimate the width of the stream AND the width of the “neck” in the meander. I would like to “track” the changes to this meander over the years via this earthcache!
2. Are there any stacks/piles of sediment visible at this time of year? Where?
SEND TO MY PROFILE:
3. List the name “GC2N8WD Taylor Creek Filter Earthcache” in the first line of your email. Also, list the number of people in your group.
4. Look at the mountains surrounding the meadows – What sources of sediment (natural and manmade) can you see? (ex. Erosion from hillside, old forestry roads, mining spots, waterfalls, etc.)
5. How is the meadow working? Are the sediments successfully clarifying/clearing the water? From any of the bridges at/near cords, evaluate the success of the sedimentary filter!
6. (Now considered optional by GC.com...but if your answers to above questions leave me with questions...the picture sure does help verify the find!) Post a picture of yourself and your GPS with your log that shows you and/or your GPS at the cords.
I will only respond if you have incomplete logging requirements. Go ahead and log your cache
For paperless cachers the logging requirements are listed first followed by the description.
The United States Forest Service Visitors Center and Rainbow Creek Interpretive Trail offers South Lake Tahoe Visitors a wonderful opportunity to learn about the Tahoe area and it geological beginnings.
The Taylor Creek Watershed:
The Taylor Creek watershed works as a giant filter for Lake Tahoe, taking the snow melt and other precipitation, filtering out the sediments and filters, and giving clear water to Lake Tahoe.
The meander you see in front of you is one of many in this broad meadow. The meander is desired and encouraged by the USFS for a variety of reasons. First, it provides a longer course for the stream, giving the meadow more time to filter out sediments and nutrients that would be hazardous to the lake. Second, meanders slow down the water, allowing the sediments to drop here rather than in the lake.
Geology:
Natural Sources of Sediment:
Geologically, these sediments are from two sources: the mountains and mankind. The NATURAL sediments from the surrounding mountains have been a constant through the centuries, and vary only by small amounts, based on snowfalls and the occasional landslide or avalanche.
Manmade Sources of Sediment:
However, mining in earlier years, and construction of homes and town in the hills/mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe have altered the amount of rock that is free to fall/be washed away. In addition, grass and crops “require” fertilizer, and the excess nutrients are washed into the watershed. Further, in earlier years, roads were built that blocked or altered stream flow, causing excess erosion and thus sediment release. Currently, the USFS is working to fix, repair, or move these old roads.
The Filter (meadering stream and meadow):
In the mountains above Lake Tahoe, trickles of snowmelt and rain combine into streamlets. These run into high country lakes or flow into whitewater streams that cascade down the mountainsides. The streams slow as they flow through forests and many meander lazily through meadows before flowing into Lake Tahoe.
History of Sediment and Filtering:
For centuries, the meadows were enough to filter out what little sediments and minerals the streams picked up. Thus, Lake Tahoe remained sterile and therefore crystal clear. In the last century and a half, development has disturbed the fragile geological / ecological system.
Today, nutrients from the soils continue to wash into streams and feed the algae which cloud Lake Tahoe. If the current wash of nutrients into the lake stopped today, it is projected that it would take 600 years for Lake Tahoe to recover to its state in the early 1800’s.
Here in the Tahoe Basin, water clarity is the Forest Service’s top priority. Because natural water treatment worked so well for so long, The USFS is looking at Taylor Creek’s pristine ecosystem for guidance. They hope to learn from its fast moving waters, shallow riffles, deep pools, streamside plants, and large meadows how to best maintain and repair Lake Tahoe’s other 62 streams. The clearer the communities surrounding Lake Tahoe keep these streams, the more pristine they'll keep Lake Tahoe.
Congrads to MathProfessor for FTF (First to Finish logging requirements) on 2/4/2011
Resources:
USGS.gov “Taylor Creek” (visit link)
Information Panels along trail at cords.
Taylor Creek Informational Brochure
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)