The Johnson Ponds EarthCache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(not chosen)
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in our disclaimer.
This is an
Earthcache and as such there is no physical container to find at
the posted coordinates, but rather an Earth science lesson to be
learned. Failure to complete the logging requirements listed below
may result in the deletion of your "Found it" log without
notice.
Like much of
Wisconsin, the landscape of this area was profoundly altered by the
glaciers that advanced during the ice age. As the glaciers moved
southward they carried with them lots of debris. It has been
estimated that, in places, as much as 50% of the glacier's volume
was comprised of rock, sand and soil that was ultimately left
behind when the glaciers melted back and retreated to the north. As
blocks of ice calfed from the main body of the glacier they were
buried by the sediment carried in the meltwater. When those ice
blocks later melted, the surface soil collapsed, leaving kettle
shaped depressions in the earth.
This immediate area, often referred to as the Johnson Farm or the
Johnson Ponds area, is named after the Johnson family that
homesteaded here beginning in the 1850s. The largest concentration
of kettles in the Baraboo range is found here. During the short
walk from the Steinke Basin parking lot to the posted coordinates
you will pass at least five kettles. A major influence in their
creation was a sub-glacial river running through a tunnel under the
glacier that cut a channel into the surface and breached a portion
of the Johnstown Moraine. As blocks of ice dropped from the roof of
the tunnel they were buried with sand and debris. After the climate
warmed and the glaciers receeded about 12,000 years ago these
buried ice blocks also melted and the surface collapsed, leaving an
abundance of kettles.
The amount of water that accumulates in these kettle holes will
vary depending upon how deep the ice blocks were buried. At least
one is below the groundwater table and therefore has water year
round. Others receive their water from precipitation and surface
runoff and may be wet, marshy or completely dry during various
times of the year.
Logging
Requirements
Complete the following tasks and email your answers to me - do not
post them in your log.
1) The posted coordinates are at the lowest point of a specific
kettle. Estimate the depth of the water here and describe the
method used to measure it. (There will be no need to get wet)
2) Estimate the diameter of the kettle at the posted
coordinates.
The Devil's Lake State Park
map will be a helpful resource when seeking this cache. A State
Park sticker is required for all parked vehicles. The Geocache
Notification Form has been submitted to and approved by Steven
Schmelzer of the Wisconsin DNR.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)