An Endorheic Basin EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Stone Ledge Lake in Wexford County is know as an endorheic basin because this lake has no inlet and no outlet. Other more familiar lakes that are endorheic basins are the Great Salt Lake in Utah and the Caspian Sea.
Stone Ledge Lake
Normally, a lake will have an inlet (i.e. river) from which the lake receives the water and an outlet for the river to flow toward the next larger body of water. In a endorheic lake there is no inlet or outlet.
The water that is in an endorheic basin may come from springs or from precipitation and when the level of the lake changes it is either due to evaporation or seepage. The topography of the lake prevents the water from flowing out of the lake. Thus the name Stone Ledge Lake.
Many endorheic lakes are saline lakes, such as Great Salt Lake in Utah. This is created by the evaporation of the water in the lake creating a much higher saline content. Additionally, most endorheic lakes are more sensitive to environmental pollutants as most of the pollutants do not evaporate and remain in the water, forming a higher concentration of the pollutant.
The word endorheic is of Ancient Greek origin taken from the word endon meaning within, and rhein meaing to flow. Thus the lake flows within itself. On the Northwest Corner of Stone Ledge Lake is a large marshy area which helps contain some of the water during periods of high rain fall. This helps prevent flooding of the permanent residences on the lake.
By using the parking coordinates you will be at the trail head of the Waldeck Island Nature Preserve. This preserve is open to the public and free of charge to use. There is no hunting or fishing on this preserve. At the trail head you will find a trail that will take you to the cache site. In order to claim this EarthCache you will need to email me the following information:
1. Looking at the lake at the posted coords and also looking at the nearby marsh determine if both are endorheic basins based upon the above information.
2. Near the parking lot is a sign. At the top of the sign in the white circle, what is the name of the agency? (4 words)
3. Estimate the length of the causeway on which you are standing at the posted cords.
Any logs that have not emailed the answers to the cache owner will be deleted.
Have fun, hike the trails, view the blue herons and enjoy the beauty of this endorheic basis. While visiting the cache site I saw a Blue Heron and heard the cry of the loons.
Please remember to Cache In Trash Out.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures