Located a short distance West of the bicycle trail bridge is a small weir. You can sometimes hear the water flowing over it, as you pause before crossing. A weir is a small overflow dam used to alter the flow characteristics of a waterway. In most cases, weirs take the form of a barrier across a waterway that causes the water to pool behind the structure but allows the water to flow over the top. The Highlands Hammock weir would typically reduce the upstream water velocity preventing erosion as the waters flow down from the top of the ridge at the entrance of the park. The weirs in the park were designed with a drainage system that channeled water flowing out of the seepage slope into ditches. These ditches directed the water into the hammock in the center of the loop drive. They also directed water into the campground mirror pools and into ditches as a moat which might serve to protect the hammock from wildfires. The ultimate destination of the waters was Little Charlie Bow Legs Creek. Uniquely, this creek flows North through the park toward the Peace River. Dam Road Bridge was the location of a water control feature to hold the water back and keep it from flowing out of the park.
This geocache is placed in Highlands Hammock State Park with the permission of park management. All locations must be approved by the Volunteer Geocache Coordinator Sarah Straub (DTISarah@gmail.com) and adhere to the guidelines set by the park for geocache placement.
Vehicles are not permitted to park on any roadway within the park boundary. All vehicles must park within designated parking areas. The park is open from 8:00AM until sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees are as follows: $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Camping is available in the park as well.
Highlands Hammock State Park's Website
For more information about accessing cache locations please visit the ranger station to view a copy of Essential Eligibility Criteria for Geocaching at Highlands Hammock State Park.
Please remember to cache responsibly and stay on designated trails.