For-Mar Oxbow
An oxbow is formed when a river cuts through a meander neck (a), shortening the river's course. The old channel is then blocked off as the river deposits silt at either end of this old channel, generally forming an oxbow lake (b). As flooding occurs, the flood water deposits sediment into the oxbow lakes. Over time, these oxbow lakes become oxbow swamps or marshes (c). Eventually, the oxbow swamp loses it's ability to hold water and completely fills with sediment. When this happens, it is referred to as a meander scar (d).
Meander scars can be a source of fossils as organic material can become trapped in the oxbow lakes during periods of deposition. Meander scars are particularly helpful in determining the age of a river. A young river will have very few or no meander scars, a small flood plain, and usually does not meander. A mature river will meander, have several meander scars, a well defined flood plain. An old age river has even more meander scars, a very wide (up to many miles across) flood plain, and will meander continuously throughout the course of the river.
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Logging Requirements
The following image is a satellite view if the oxbow that you are going to visit while at For-mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum. The posted coordinates will take you to point A (N 43° 02.380 W 083° 36.583) where Kearsley Creek (blue line) meets with one end of the oxbow (red line). Do not descend the slope! While standing here, take a good look at the area below. You can see Kearsley Creek flowing northward at this point, with the oxbow area to the west of the creek. This would be a good place to snap a photo to post with your online log (optional).
When you are finished here, walk back toward the parking area and find the trailhead at N 43° 02.370 W 083° 36.644. Follow this trail north until you come to the bench located at N 43° 02.400 W 083° 36.646. From here you will have a good view of the oxbow. Do not descend the slope! Observe what you see below and answer the following questions:
1) Describe the conditions directly below you at the oxbow (water, vegetation,etc).
2) Estimate the height above the oxbow at which you are standing.
3) Based on what you see, and the descriptions of an oxbow above, at what stage of development is this oxbow (lake, marsh, or meander scar)? Please explain why you think so.
Continue north and then east on the trail until you come to point B. This is where the far end of the oxbow meets with Kearsley Creek. Do not descend the slope! Answer the following question:
4) What is the distance from here to point A (the posted coordinates where you began)?
In order to log this cache as found, you must visit this earthcache site and perform the above tasks. Then email to us through our profile the answer to all 4 questions. Photos are optional, but always appreciated. Please try to do this within 48 hours of logging the cache. Any logs not meeting the above criteria will be deleted.
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For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum
The For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum is located at 2142 N. Genesee Road, Burton, MI 48509. The Visitor’s Center is open Wednesday - Sunday, 8:00 am until 5:00 pm. The grounds are open Wednesday - Sunday from 8:00 am until sunset. The grounds and building are closed on Monday and Tuesday. The Visitor’s Center will be open on December 24 and December 31, but will be closed on December 25 and January 1. The grounds will remain open Wednesday - Sunday, even on holidays. Please observe all park rules during your visit.
The Auto City Cachers would like to thank Geo-Trails and Hiker Willie for their help in developing this earthcache.
This earthcache was developed with permission from
the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission.