Soils of RI #21: Pawcatuck
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is the 21st in a series of caches honoring the 58 different types of soils found within the State of Rhode Island. Soils were a major factor in the settling and early farming of RI, and soils continue to influence our industry, recreation, wildlife, and homes. As you complete this series, please take note of how the soil is determined in-part by the landscape position (summit, sideslope, drainageway), which in turn affects the vegetation.
This cache is located within the Galilee Bird Sanctuary, a large wetland area south of the Galilee Escape Road. Prior to the contruction of the Escape Road, the Bluff Hill Cove Marsh was an extensive saltmarsh system. In the 1950s, large portions of the Port of Galilee were dredged. The dredge materials converted marsh areas to upland, and the filled tidal channels no longer were effective in distributing seawater throughout the marsh. Gradually, the vegetation changed and the invasive reed Phragmites australis began to colonize the marsh.
The final blow to the marsh came in 1956, when the Galilee Escape Road was built across the marsh, effectively separating the marsh into two separate wetlands. Large portions of the southern marsh became choked with Phragmites, decreasing the value the marsh had to wildlife such as birds, shellfish, and young fish.
In 1991, DEM began a project to restore the marsh. DEM, together with local, state, and federal agencies, along with URI researchers, removed the fill and cut new tidal channels (Not all of the fill was removed - the large "hill" in the western portion of the marsh where SORI #21: Bigapple is located is the remaining fill. The fill that was removed during the 1991 project was also depsoited here). In addition, 2 large culvert systems were installed beneath the Escape Road to allow seawater to once again flood the southern marsh. These tidegates are self-regulating, meaning that they allow for free exchange of tidal water, but will not open beyond a certain tidal elevation, thereby protecting local homes from flooding.
The project was completed in 1997, and the ecological changes to the marsh were profound. Within days, finfish species were utilizing the new tidal channels. Within a few growing seasons, brackish plants died and were replaced by native salt marsh vegetation. In total, 84 acres of salt marsh and 14 acres of tidal channel were restored. This project went on to win awards and become a model for future coastal restoration projects.
As for the soil here, this part of the marsh is formed in Pawcatuck soil, a soil that was not previously mapped in RI. Updates to the soil survey have identified numerous new coastal soils. With such an emphasis on coastal development and restoration, NRCS has begun refining the classification of natural and human-altered coastal soils. Pawcatuck soils are wetland soils that have formed in deep deposits of salt marsh grasses. The grasses decompose to become marsh peat. Pawcatuck soils are similar to other tidal soils, such as Matunuck, Ipswich, Westbrook, and Sandyhook. However, Pawcatuck soils have between 16 and 50" of marsh peat from the soil surface.
Pawcatuck soils are flooded twice daily by tidal waters. This regular tidal flooding causes only salt-tolerant vegetation to grow, such as saltwater cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), and salt marsh hay (Spartina patens). Salt marshes are important areas for flood control, denitrification, and pollution retention. In addition, salt marshes provide important habitat for wildlife and are nursery grounds for a variety of shellfish and fish species.
Pawcatuck soils are obviously hydric soils and are classified as coastal wetlands. Historically, these areas were often used as pasture and hayed. These soils are poorly suited to building, even if they are drained. Draining these soils often results in a collpase of the marsh peat and the potential for a dramatic decrease in soil pH (increasing acidity of the soil).
As for the cache, this is an easy hide that I hope mom and dad cachers can bring their kids to find and explore nature. The terrain isn't too tough, just an easy scramble down the road embankment, then a walk on the marsh grass. However, please check the tides, as high tides may make this more difficult of a trek, hence the 2.5 rating. You will see some URI research plots, please do not touch! Cache contains some swag and an official series description. The cache is obvious if you're looking for it, but hopefully not so obvious to muggles... please cover it well after finding to prevent any tampering with from those pesky muggles.
High fives to Caching Campers for a 4th of July FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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