Ludlowville Falls EarthCache
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This Earth Cache is located adjacent to Ludlowville Falls in the hamlet of Ludlowville, Town of Lansing, New York. The listed coordinates are within Ludlowville Park (owned and operated by the Town of Lansing), which also includes a few free parking spaces and a playground. A fence keeps visitors a safe distance from the ledge overlooking the base of the waterfall, so please stay on the park side of the fence. The bank of the Salmon Creek at the base of the waterfall is also a NYSDEC designated public fishing area (not accessible from Ludlowville Park).
While the history of the formation of the Finger Lakes and many of the nearby waterfalls is the topic of other nearby Earth Caches, the topic of this Earth Cache focuses on the geology that pre-dates the Ice Age. The existing geology is particularly noticeable at Ludlowville Falls because the waterfall has eroded away some of the rock layers.
The geologic formations visible at Ludlowville Falls are part of the Middle Devonian Hamilton Group. “Middle Devonian” refers to the geologic period that took place during the Paleozoic Era, approximately 397 to 385 million years ago, and “Hamilton Group” is a mapped bedrock unit that spans New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Marcellus Shale, known for the recent controversy over natural gas drilling and which lies deep below the surface, is part of the Hamilton Group. Above the Marcellus Shale formation lies Ludlowville Shale, and above that lies Moscow Shale. At Ludlowville Falls, Moscow Shale is visible in the cavern that the waterfall has eroded over time.
Layers of Tully Limestone are visible as the rock overhang of the falls. This layer was formed between the Hamilton Group and the Mahantango Group and consists of hardened and compacted sediments.
The flow rate of Ludlowville Falls varies throughout the year. It can range from a trickle during the dry summer months to a heavy rush during the snow melt.
To log your find, please answer the following questions. Posting a photo of yourself at the Falls is optional but recommended!
1. Estimate the thickness of the Tully Limestone layer
2. Estimate the depth of the cavern in the Marcellus Shale layer
3. Estimate the height of the waterfall
4. Estimate the flow rate in gallons per second over the falls (varies throughout the year). For reference Niagara Falls flows at approximately 750,000 gallons per second (6 million cubic feet per minute).
Note: the area is fenced but one can easily walk around the fence to the cliff of the gorge. Please keep an eye on children in this area. There is a playground at the park.
Additional Hints
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