Lakeside Litigation EarthCache

An even, gravel trail provides the best and only approach to the coordinates. When onsite, please do not leave the bridge. A minimal hike or bicycle ride of 4 to 6 miles is required; the closest parking areas are indicated at the end of this listing. Please note that the area is subject to flooding and may not be available when the Jefferson City river level is above 26 feet!

"We are not going on a fishing trip, but we are just going on a little outing. Of course, if any one wishes to fish, we have no objections."

Judge L. M. Switzler, June 1, 1910

Brushwood Lake, named for a local farmer and nicknamed Horseshoe Lake, was a popular stop along the M.K.T. railroad at the turn of the nineteenth century. All manner of festivities were had along its shores including ice skating, boating, camping, picnics, wiener roasts, and, of course, fishing. The waters boasted a wide variety of catches and was highlighted as an ideal place to rest. Several organizations, including the Boone County Bar Association and the School of Medicine at the University of Missouri, held gatherings at this well-known watering hole. However, by the mid-twentieth century, the lake's popularity waned and was eventually forgotten.

"We expect every lawyer in Columbia, Centralia, Sturgeon and Ashland to attend."

N. T. Gentry, June 2, 1910

The nickname "Horseshoe Lake" says much about its character. Prior connection with nearby Perche Creek as an older meander is indicated by the crescent shape. Meanders are a river or creek's deviation from a straight course generated by conservation of energy and ease of flow (more of which is discussed with this EarthCache). When a meander is cut off from its source and retains water, it becomes an oxbow lake.

So, what caused Perche Creek to form Brushwood Lake? The simple answer is erosion and the lifting and deposition of sediment. There are two methods, specifically, that can yield oxbow lakes: neck or chute cutoff. Before exploring these, let's first define neck, chute and sediment. Raised land or surface area between two neighboring meanders of a body of water is referred to as a neck. The channel through which water flows at an accelerated rate is called a chute. Sediment are the material deposits of a stream consisting of soil, rocks and natural debris. All three are essential to the formation of both kinds of cutoff.

In the event of a chute cutoff, water on one or both sides of a meander's neck begins eroding a narrow path to the other side. This is caused by easily soluable materials, a previous meander being rediscovered or a change in the geomorphology of the neck. Once a dead-end stream reaches the other side of the neck or another such incursion, the larger body of water follows the new convergence because water follows the easiest course. The previous loop is blocked through the building up of sediment from the new chute. Eventually, the meander is cutoff entirely. More than eighty percent of the water surface area of the new lake is lost within ten to thirty years.

A neck cutoff occurs when two sides of a meander start eroding into the neck altering the path of the main body of water. This is a natural movement of the creek or river's course as sediment is deposited on the inside of a curve while the water carves out land on the outside edge. When the two curves meet, a new channel is created. Sediment once again blocks entry into the original meander. This sort of oxbow is more permanent; only forty to sixty percent of its water surface area is lost within the first few decades. In most cases, the new lake retains its liquid holdings for more than a century.

Despite whatever longevity is projected, an oxbow lake will eventually disappear. Groundwater seeping upward only delays the inevitable. Sediment slowly replaces water leaving a meander scar, or a depression in the landscape that cannot hold water. This is accomplished through flood deposits, alluvial (loose soil) movement over time and plant life.

"Back to nature for us."

A. H. E. Brinkmeier, April 25, 1913

Today, the M.K.T. trail, a rails-to-trails project, provides easy access to Brushwood Lake. A bridge spans the northern-most tip allowing ease of measurement and observation. Nearly a century has passed since this area was a hot-spot of local activity, and it shows. What remains can be seen lined with trees off the south side of the bridge.

To qualify this EarthCache as found, please e-mail the answers to the following questions to the cache owner. A link is provided at the top of the listing.

1) Which oxbow process created Brushwood Lake? (Hint: The cache description, while not explicitly giving an answer, provides evidence to make a conclusion.)

2) Choose and define two of the following terms: chute, meander scar, neck, oxbow lake, sediment.

3) At the posted coordinates, look over both sides of the bridge. Is there an observable current? Drop a leaf over the edge. Which cardinal direction does it float? What does this indicate for the future of the lake?

4) While not required, a photograph of yourself at Brushwood Lake is recommended to verify your presence.

"All except two of the members are going, and we are expecting a big time."

Judge L. M. Switzler, June 1, 1910

"'Varsity Notes." University Missourian. 28 Apr. 1909: 1. Print.

Crosato, Alessandra. Analysis and Modeling of River Meandering. IOPress. 2008. p. 11, pp. 28 - 29, p. 93

Dieras, P. and Constantine, J. A. Is there a pattern to oxbow lake geomorphic evolution?. http://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EGU2012/EGU2012-232.pdf

"Engineer Students Go Fishing." University Missourian. 25 Apr. 1913: 1. Print.

"Lawyers To Go Fishing." University Missourian. 2 Jun. 1910: 1. Print.

"Lawyers Will Picnic." University Missourian. 1 Jun. 1910: 1. Print

Ritter, Michael. Alluvial Landforms Page 2. http://www4.uwsp.edu/geo/faculty/ritter/geog101/textbook/fluvial_systems/alluvial_landforms_page_2.html