The term ‘ephemeral’ means it disappears quickly or significantly diminishes at different times of the year due to changes in hydraulic pressure and source supply. Keeping this in mind, the sub-surface produced falls is usually more significant between April and July, depending on annual levels of precipitation, snow pack accumulation, ground permeation, and climatic patterns.
The surrounding mountains in this area form part of the Continental Divide, a geologic feature which generally defines the boarder between Southern Alberta and British Columbia.
The high mountains consist of hard packed limestone sediment formed during the Paleozoic Era, a collective time span that began 540 million years ago until approximately 250 million years ago when a great catastrophe nearly wiped out all life on Earth. Limestone is mainly formed from the shells of dead marine organisms settled and compacted upon an ancient ocean floor of highly compacted sand. Hence, the lower ridges mainly consist of ‘sandstone’ which is more susceptible to erosion than this above type of limestone. Hence the talus slopes of rocky chunks.
The large rounded boulders and smaller unconsolidated (non-stratified or assorted) mixed gravel materials were transported in and deposited via the slow moving massive glaciers of the last ice-age.
Over the past million years, water filtering downwards eventually formed caves and caverns within the limestone and sandstone. As these caverns grew, they connected forming underground channels. One such channel found its way out the side of Mt. Sentry, resulting in today’s featured 'disappearing' waterfall. ... now you see it, now you don't!
Many waterfalls are considered 'ephemeral' because they only form during spring run off. This one is unique in that it travels through the mountain rather than simply pouring over the top.
Some rivers and lakes, primarily in hotter places like India and Africa, are ‘ephemeral’ in that while they drain or flow sub-surface most of the year yet periodically can be observed above the surface like a regular body of water as volume increases.
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** Email your answers for questions (#2,3,4,5, 6) to the cache host 'RATCHET_FMR' ** In your posted log, ... tell us if the falls were flowing or dry!
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Questions:
1.Was the waterfall flowing (or.. if not) can you see part/all of the cave it comes out of? (Check the hint if having trouble spotting the portal when not flowing.)
2.What other signs of erosion & instability can you point out in this area? 2-3 things, features that you notice about the old hwy, the cliff walls, etc.
3.What are the surrounding mountains primarily made of?
4.What is the geological term for the large slope formation immediately left/east of the falls?
5.Looking Northwards from the falls, which direction do the layered lines in the mountains on the other side of Hwy#3 slope up/point up towards?
6.Where (which direction) does the water flow from the base of the falls? (ie. Left along the old rd, right along the road, or beneath the road). Is the water directed via a man-made construction or by a natural pathway. Where does it go after it falls?
NICE JOB! ** Please post a picture of the local scenery, the waterfall, or Emerald Lake in the back ground. ** ... just a fun option. ... note in your log what the falls looked like during your visit (ie. was it all dried up, a trickle, or a gusher..?) ... Thanks for stopping by! Happy Trails eh!! 