Okanagan Lake Groyne's EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

Geocaching HQ Admin: It has now been over 30 days since Geocaching HQ submitted the disabled log below and, unfortunately, the cache owner has not posted an Owner maintenance log and re-enabled this geocache. As a result, we are now archiving this cache page.

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Hidden : 10/10/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

This is a nice and easy cache to find - there are buses and parking nearby. Just imagine how this area looked many many years ago.

The cache viewing area is at a Public Beach Access, which is open 7am until 10pm daily.  Please park on the street and walkdown the clearly marked public path.  Please do not enter the property of the sailing club or attempt to walk on any of the private docks.

The 270km of shoreline at Okanagan Lake offers many spectacular views and unique geographical formations.  One unique lake feature that has multiplied over recent years has been the creation of hundreds of miniature crescent shaped beaches.  The cause of this unique beach structure: Groyne’s!
 
A groyne (also known as groin) is a structure that extends from the shore, perpendicular to the land.  A groyne prevents the constant flow of sediment moving through a surf zone or the relocation of beaches due to long shore drift.  Despite the relative small size of Okanagan Lake compared to larger seas around the world, prevailing wind and wave patterns continually change the shape of the Okanagan shoreline.  While the waters of Okanagan Lake may flow north to south, it is the strong southern breezes with large powerful waves that have most influenced natural shoreline development in this area.


 
Groynes can be constructed of any number of materials.  Rock groynes are the most common structure in situations where changes to the shoreline are desired.  In this area, however, privately owned docks are the groyne of choice; whether intended or otherwise.  As the waves push sediment north along this eastern shore, the dock groynes cause a buildup of sand on their windward (south) side.  As a consequence, the leeward (north) side of the docks receive less sediment, even though the beaches may still be influenced by long shore drift.







The impact of groynes on the shoreline can be seen on a very large scale from well above Okanagan Lake.  As pictured, you can see how large crescent shapes have formed along the length of the Lake’s eastern shore.  Mission Creek, rocky peninsulas, and reinforced manmade structures have all resulted in the erosion of sediment on the lee sides of these strictures.


 
Groynes can attract, deflect, or repel water flow, and can come in any number of unique shapes.  L shaped docks may influence shoreline water movement differently from straight docks, while structures built at angles to the shoreline can result in totally different beach formations.  Distances between groynes can also influence long shore drift, resulting in a larger convergence of sediment windward of closely built groynes.   Additionally, longs shore drift can be further altered by a groynes width, length, and depth.  In this area, the amount of sediment buildup, or the overall effectiveness of the groyne is often determined by how high the dock is relative to the high water mark.

 
To log this Earthcache it would be appreciated if you could e-mail me the answers to the following questions:
  1.  Why are some beaches here rocky, while others seem to consist mostly of sand?
  1. There are some areas of Okanagan Lake that do not appear to have crescent shaped beaches despite the location of groynes nearby.  Why?
  1. What measures could be taken by the City or dock builders to ensure that new docks have less of an impact on the shoreline?


Congratulations Ydnew for First to Find!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Nobir nyy, unir sha!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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