Cove Spring - Frankfort, Kentucky EarthCache
Hidden : 6/20/2013
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Welcome to COVE SPRING PARK
Frankfort, Kentucky

This Earthcache will take you 0.5 miles to Cove Spring and to explore the geology of the formation.  While in the park, explore its secrets and find the other geo/earthcaches located here.
!!!NO GEOCACHING AFTER DUSK or WHEN CLOSED!!!
!!!STAY ON MARKED PATHS!!!


Cove Spring:  This park/nature preserve consists of approvimately 100 acres of wetlands, streams, springs, waterfalls, forested ravines and other naturak and historical features.  The park is located at the northern city limits off U.S. 127/Holmes Street.  The park is intended for activities such as walking, hiking, nature observation, environmental education, picniking and other passive activities.

In the prehistory era, Cove Springs was a buffalo crossing, and with the buffalo came Native Americans who used the spring for water. In 1800, Frankfort settlers built a dam, forming the first public water supply west of the Alleghenies. Using wood from on-site cedars, they constructed pipes to convey the water to the penitentiary and the town. Pieces of this pipe are on display at the Frankfort City Museum and the Kentucky History Museum.


Geology of Cove Spring: Cove Spring is formed at the bottom of a hill in a draw. Cove springs is the result of an aquifer being filled to the point that the water overflows onto the land surface. Springs of this type range in size from an intermittent seep, which flow only after much rain, to a huge pool flowing hundreds of millions of gallons daily.


The surrounding geology consists of Lexington Limestone. The Lexington Limestone is the major rock unit exposed in the Inner Bluegrass region of east-central Kentucky surrounding Lexington. It is mainly Middle Ordovician in age, but locally the uppermost beds are considered Upper Ordovician in age (450-470 mya). Lexington Limestone ranges from 200 to 320 feet in thickness.  It is comprised of 11 distinct members.  Cove Spring contains three:  Grier, Lagona, and Tanglewood members.

Grier Member: This is the thickest of the Lexington Limestone members, ranging from 100 to 180 feet thick. It tends to be dark gray in color. it can be recognized by thin, irregular beds of limestone with broken fossils.

Logana/Curdville Member: It ranges from 0 to 50 feet thick and has alternating layers of limestone and shale.  It appears to range from light brownish gray to light yellowish brown. There are not many exposures of this member to be found, but some are around the Franfort area.

Tanglewood Member:  Appears medium to medium dark gray in color. It ranges from 60 to 100 feet in thickness.  it is composed of a complex layering structure due to wave action. Fossils tend to be small fragments.


Geology Lesson:
A.   Email me the answers to the following questions to demonstrate your understanding of the geology at Cove Spring.
    1)   How fast is the water flowing from the spring opening - trickling or gushing?
    2)   What limestone member(s) do you see around the spring opening? Explain your reasoning.
    3)   As you stand facing away from the spring, what structure do you see and what do you think was its use?

B.   Though not required but GREATLY appreciated, take a picture of you (and your group) in at then end of the boardwalk.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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