The Freshwater Marsh EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This earthcache will take you for a ride through the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest refuges in the southeast region of the United States. The cache itself will require you to focus on the freshwater marsh throughout the refuge. While visiting, be sure to admire the abundance of wildlife throughout the area.
Nearly ten miles upstream from the cache coordinates, the freshwater flowing from the Savannah River begins mixing with the saltwater from the incoming Atlantic Ocean. This mixture creates an estuary. This also marks the point where the Savannah river begins splitting into three downstream forks: the easternmost Back River, the centrally flowing Middle River, and the western Front River.
Amongst the Back and Middle rivers sits the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, a 29,000 acre facility that (along with its surrounding area) contain 28 percent of the freshwater marsh along the entire east coast of the United States. Freshwater marshes are unique from other marshes because they are usually covered by a steady amount of water, while the more prevalent saltwater marshes typically flood and drain with the tides.
There are 38 miles of river and over 25 miles of streams and creeks within the refuge boundaries. At the posted cache coordinates, you will find a public loop road that surrounds 3,000 acres (12 km²) of managed freshwater impoundments.
At first glance, these fields can can seem like barren expanses of grass and mud, and may appear like wastelands. Look again however. These grass fields along the Georgia Coast give untold benefits to nature and man. Each acre can produce 20 tons of plant matter annually, far more prolific than any agricultural rival. Also within these waters, wildlife thrives in many different forms. Most noticeably, you will see birds, insects, and alligators along the trails.
By the mid-eighteenth century, plantation owners and rice planters were farming much of the land that is now part of the refuge. The old rice levees, which were built by hand, form the basis for the current impoundment dikes. Remnants of the original rice field trunk water control structures and narrow dikes are still visible in some places. Within the impoundment system there are 36 historic and prehistoric archeological sites which have been located and inventoried.
For logging your earthcache, take a few moments to observe the freshwater marsh and its features near and around the entrance to the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive, then send me a message with the answers to the following questions:
1. What are some of the visual differences between this freshwater marsh and other, more familiar coastal saltwater marshes? (A picture of a saltwater marsh has been provided in the images for reference)
2. Is there evidence of tidal fluctuation in the waters outside the loop of the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive?
OPTIONAL - Take a picture of your group at the refuge!
*You do NOT need to actually enter the wildlife drive to complete this cache, but it's highly recommended! Also it's just fun! The roadside also provides lookout points at various locations where you can observe endless wildlife.
**Please do NOT post any answers in your log. Any entries that do not come with the information above will be quietly removed.
Notes about the drive should you choose to enter it...
The cache coordinates take you to the beginning of a four-mile drive on Savannah NWR that is open free to the public seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Most other roadways within the Savannah NWR are open to foot and bicycle travel, unless otherwise posted. The only road on Savannah NWR closed to public use at all times is located opposite the entrance to the Laurel Hill Wildlife Drive; this road is clearly marked closed.
Also at the Savannah NWR, hiking and biking (no vehicles) is permitted on the dikes (trails) north of SC 170. Two parking areas are available along SC 170 for visitors who wish to access this area. From December 1 through February 28, parts of this area are closed to the public to provide sanctuary within the refuge where waterfowl will be free from all human disturbances. Signs are posted on-site throughout the closure to identify these areas. Visitors may also check with the Savannah NWR Visitor Center for further clarification.
This geocache has been placed with the explicit permission of the Savannah Coastal Refuges Complex. Please contact Land Manager user IslandsAndOcean for more information.
Congrats to ricson917 for the FTF!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jngpu bhg sbe tngbef!
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures