This earthcache is located in Genesee Recreation Area, a Genesee County Park. The park hours are 8:00 AM until dusk. There is no entry fee.
Cut Bank Erosion
A cut bank, also known as a river cliff, is an erosional feature of streams. Cut banks are found in abundance along mature or meandering streams and are located on the outside of a stream bend, known as a meander. They are shaped much like a small cliff, and are formed by the erosion of soil as the stream collides with the river bank. A point bar is an area of deposition and is seen on the opposite side of the river from the cut bank. Because the current is slow near the point bar, mostly fine particles are deposited here.
Inertia throws the fastest moving water against the outside of the curve. The erosion of this fast moving water causes the cut bank. The slow moving water accumulates near the inner bank, depositing fine sediments. The resulting deposit is known as a point bar. The net result of erosion on the outer bank and deposition on the inner bank is for the channel to migrate in the direction of the outer bank. This causes the river to meander in a series of broad loops.
The posted coordinates will take you to the bank of the Flint River. You will be standing above an occurance of cut bank erosion. Please be careful here. Do not stand on the edge of the bank! There is a possibility the bank could collapse because there may be erosional undercutting of the bank.
Based on the information above, and on your observations here, answer the following questions:
A) Estimate the height of the bank at this point of cut bank erosion.
B) Is there anything here that could slow down the cut bank erosional process? If so, what?
C) Can the cut bank erosional process be a danger to hikers? If so, why?
D) Why are point bars made up mostly of sand?
E) Optional photos are encouraged.
Email the answers to all of the questions to me through my profile. Failure to do so will result in deletion of your online log.
Permission for development of this earthcache was granted by the Genesee County Parks. Permit #136.
