Powell Creek Preserve EarthCache EarthCache
Hidden : 11/24/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

An EarthCache in the new Powell Creek Preserve.



Powell Creek Preserve contains the northern most reaches of the natural channel of Powell Creek. To improve water quality in the creek and other downstream water bodies and to provide additional habitat for wildlife, a filter marsh was constructed on the preserve through a joint project with Lee County Division of Natural Resources. The project diverts water from both Powell Creek and the Powell Creek Canal into the filter marsh utilizing a pump. This water will flow through a series of created wetlands to allow sediment to settle out and excess nutrients to be absorbed by the wetland plants in the created wetlands. The quantity of water that is in the marsh at any one time varies greatly with the seasons. Water held in the marsh is given enough time there for the sediments to settle and for the plants to extract the excess nutrients, before it is released. This cleaner water  then flows back into Powell Creek south of the pump. There is a water level control feature at the South end of the marsh to control the depth of water there. There are raised trails around the perimeter of the marsh and other areas can be accessed as well.
A "Filter Marsh" is very important in developed areas such as South West Florida to remove as much pollution and excess sediment as possible from the fragile water system. With the huge increase in population in the area, nature cannot "Recycle" fast enough to keep up with what is being thrown at it! This marsh has a large area, filled with plant life that can capture sediment and use the excess nutrients to grow. This keeps the excess from flowing into the Gulf of Mexico and disrupting the balance there. The estuaries along the South Florida coast are the nurseries for many species of fish and other wild life. Too many nutrients can cause "Algae Blooms" and "Red Tide." This marsh is also providing great habitat for water fowl and many other animals native to this area, that were displaced by population growth.

To get a Smiley for this EarthCache, email me the answers to the following questions.

1 Was the water filling the marsh when you visited or was some of the bottom exposed?
2 How is the water "Cleansed" while it is in the marsh?
3 Why is it important that the water stay in the marsh for a significant length of time?
4 How does the water enter and leave the Marsh? Describe the control feature.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gnxr gvzr gb jnyx nyy gur jnl nebhaq.

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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