Blandy's Rattlesnake Spring EarthCache
Blandy's Rattlesnake Spring
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Blandy's Rattlesnake Spring Earthcache (placed with permission from Blandy Experimental Farm, University of Virginia)
Premises are open daily from dawn to dusk.
What is a Spring?
A spring is a location where groundwater naturally emerges from the Earth's subsurface in a defined flow and in an amount large enough to form a pool or stream-like flow. Springs can discharge fresh groundwater either onto the ground surface, directly into rivers or streams, or directly into the ocean.
The groundwater system associated with a spring consists of:
A recharge area where water enters the subsurface;
An aquifer or set of aquifers through which the water flows; and
A discharge point where water emerges as a spring.
A wetland influenced by limestone geology.
The limestone rock outcrops present at Blandy Experimental Farm provides evidence about the areas karst geology formed over millions of years. When limestone interacts with underground water, the water dissolves the limestone to form karst topography - an amalgamation of caves, underground channels, and a rough and bumpy ground surface. Specifically, this process has resulted in the creation of natural networks of cracks and fissures in the rock. Many of these cracks and fissures connect the surface to the groundwater, providing a conduit for the water to flow, resulting in the formation of natural springs.
Rattlesnake Spring is fed by an underground aquifer which normally provides a constant supply of water. This water creates the half-acre pond wetland which is home to many species of wildlife including painted turtles. However during drier periods, when the water table drops below 38feet, Rattlesnake Springs stops flowing and the surface water at Blandy disappears.
The posted coordinates will bring you to the discharge point of the spring at a limestone outcrop. In order to log this Earthcache, you must email Team Wiji (see profile for email) the answers to the following questions:
1. Closely observe the water within the crevice of the limestone outcrop. Is the spring actively flowing? How would you characterize the speed of flow?
2. Estimate the distance from the top of the limestone rock outcrop to the water surface.
3. OPTIONAL - Take a photo of your GPSr or yourself/team at Rattlesnake Spring. You may include this photo in your log.
++ Congratulations to KatBet95 on the FTF!! ++
Additional Hints
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