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Located in the Inner Bluegrass area of Kentucky, Hurst Falls was dedicated to Jerry and Tammy Hurst for their care, improvement, and preservation of the Cove Spring property on August 15, 2002. However, the falls is historic in nature, documented by Native Americans when this was a part of a buffalo trace.
The gray and brown rock that makes the falls, the flat area where the bench sits, and the short vertical cliff at the base of the ridge form an outcrop of a rock unit known as the Tyrone Limestone.
Hurst Falls cascades over 30 feet to a pool at the base, where the waters feed into the Penitentiary Branch stream, eventually flowing downstream to the Kentucky River.
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How are waterfalls formed?
Beginning at its source many, many years ago, water started flowing as a trickle induced by gravity. It rapidly turned into streams, creeks and rivers by following the path of least resistance. As the water flowed, it exploited weaknesses in the earth beneath it.
When the water gains momentum, it begins moving over resistant bedrock. As the watercourse increases its velocity, and the water flows over cracks or drops slightly in elevation, it starts to pluck away material from the riverbed. The softer materials begin to affect the flow by washing away or eroding and pockets form that cause plungepools(3). Those pools created in the turbulence as well as sand and stones carried by the watercourse increase the amount of erosion.
This is the beginning of a waterfall. The turbulent churning causes the water to carve deeper into the bed and to recede upstream(4). Often over time, the waterfall will recede back to form a canyon or gorge downstream as it recedes upstream, and it will carve deeper into the ridge above it.
Often, the rock layer just below the harder shelf will tend to be softer material and will become undercut(1), forming a shallow cave-like formation known as a rock shelter under and behind the waterfall. Eventually, the outcropping or harder shelf will collapse do to its weight and lack of support and fall to the base of the waterfall(2). These rocks then in turn are broken up and tumbled in the turbulence. Because of their coarseness, the rocks grind away the softer undercut and make the erosion beneath the falls even greater, creating a deep pool or gorge(5).
Streams become wider and shallower just above waterfalls due to flowing over the rock shelf, and there is usually a deep area just below the waterfall because of the kinetic energy of the water hitting the bottom. Waterfalls normally form in a rocky area due to erosion. After a long period of being fully formed, the water falling off the ledge will retreat, causing a horizontal pit parallel to the waterfall wall. Eventually, as the pit grows deeper, the waterfall collapses to be replaced by a steeply sloping stretch of riverbed.
In addition to the gradual processes such as erosion, earth movement caused by earthquakes or landslides can cause variations in land heights which can change the natural course of a water flow, and result in waterfalls.
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One of Frankfort Parks and Recreations hidden gems is Cove Springs Park. The park consists of approximately 100 acres of wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls, forests other natural and historic features. The park is located on Frankfort’s northern outskirts near the intersection of Wilkinson Blvd and US 127. The park is packed with shelters picnic tables and benches, interesting signage and about a half a dozen trails of varying degrees.
There are several caches located in the park. Summer hours are 8:00 a.m. to dark (April-October). Winter hours(November-March) are generally from dawn until dusk.
REMEMBER - When visiting this or any other park, be sure to follow the rules. Future generations would like to view it just like you did.
ALSO - This whole park gives wonderful opportunities to see many species of flora and fauna. That includes poisonous snakes, like the copperhead. Be aware that these fellas inhabit the area and often feed on aquatic animals and reptiles so watch your step.
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As part of the education experience, it is required that you be able to answer some questions about your visit. To obtain credit for this cache email me the answers to the following questions:
1. How tall are the falls?
2. Does there seem to be a deep pool at the bottom of the falls or is it full of large rocks that have broken off?
3. Why hasn't the creek above the falls just continued to erode deeper and enter the lower creek as another stream?
4. Name 3 processes that can cause a waterfall to change the course and form a waterfall?
5. What man made object is in the water in the front of the observation deck? How does it help the waterflow?
Once you email me the answers, go ahead and post. If your answers are wrong, I will notify you.
PHOTOGRAPHS are not necessary to log this cache. But, if the feeling strikes you, free to post one of you enjoying this EC as much as I did. (Please, no spoilers.)
Good Luck!
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