Minnesota River Headwaters EarthCache
Minnesota River Headwaters
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In order to count this Earthcache as a find, you must complete the following tasks and email the answers to me.
1. Describe the area at ground zero.
2. Estimate the width of the river at this point. How do you think the width here at the headwaters differs from the headwaters of other rivers?
3. How do you think the width at this location compares to the width of the river found further to the south? Why?
4. On a scale of 1 to 10, with one being the slowest and ten being the fastest, how fast is the river flowing?
Proceed to N45º 17.753, W096º 26.767.
5. What is the elevation?
6. How far is it to the Gulf of Mexico?
7. How far is it to Big Stone Lake?
This Earthcache is located at a little park near the headwaters of the Minnesota River. There is not much to enjoy in this park other than the rush of the water, fishing, and the pelicans that line the shores. Headwaters Park, just on the Minnesota side of the border. Enjoy!
In geology, “headwaters” refers to the place from which the water in a river or stream originates. Stemming from the southern tip of Big Stone Lake, the Minnesota River is formed. It is at this spot that the Minnesota River begins its 332 mile journey to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area where it empties into the Mississippi River after taking a southeast and then a northeast direction. From the Mississippi River, the water then continues on a souther course where it eventually drains into the Gulf of Mexico.
The geological history of Minnesota is largely defined by episodes of glacial activity, the most recent ending only 12,000 years ago. During the most recent ice age, glaciers to the north blocked the natural northward drainage of present-day Minnesota. Because the water had no where to go, it pooled up right behind the glaciers. As the ice sheets began to melt, they added water to the already existing pool of water, creating a giant lake known as Glacial Lake Agassiz.
The five-mile wide and 250-feet deep (at its maximum) valley the Minnesota River flows through was initially occupied by Glacial River Warren. Between 9400 and 11,700 years ago, at the end of the last ice age, a massive flood occurred from Glacial Lake Agassiz. The torrential flow of water from the lake carved a massive river valley and gave birth to Glacial River Warren in an attempt to drain the lake.
Today, the Glacial River Warren no longer exists. When the glacial river retreated, it left a broad valley with a much smaller “stream.” That stream today is known as the Minnesota River.
NOT A LOGGING REQUIREMENT: Feel free to post pictures of your group at the area or the area itself - I love looking at the pictures.
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