Going...North?
This Earthcache will take you down public thoroughfare and roads to a sight, until I had seen it, did not know was possible.
It is under the assumption that most rivers flow south. Let's take a journey to the past to see how rivers came about. Three terms we will familiarize ourselves with are Glaciers, Erosion and Deposition.
Glaciers: A glacier or is a persistent body of dense ice that is constantly moving under its own weight. We still have glaciers in this modern day. However it was the major workings of the Wisconsin Glacier that did the major landscaping of our great state.
Erosion: Erosion is the process by which soil and rock are removed from the Earth's surface by exogenic processes such as wind or water flow. If you travel south on the Gulf you will see efforts to control erosion to save beaches. Erosion is happening all around us and we can see even here ,in small town America, the science of erosion is occurring right along our trails and roads.
Deposition: Deposition is the geological process by which sediments, soil, and rocks are added to a landform or land mass.
With these three text book definitions, we can retain and learn a lot about the Earth around us and see how it is ever changing. So how does that explain our northward flowing river? Let's look deeper into that and come to a scientific conclusion.
Rivers have three stages of growth:
1.) Youthful Stream
2.) Mature Stream
3.) Old Age Stream.
Youthful Streams: Youthful streams have steep slopes and V shaped valleys. They have little no level land next to the stream.
We start with a valley or slope and as the area has storm waters running off into the steep slops or v-shaped valleys, it along with ground water flow begins to fill the valley.
As flooding rises, sediment is dumped into the valley and as peaks are reached in flooding the less sediment there is to dump in this case bed scouring (or erosion) occurs.
These streams move rapidly and take a lot of land around them with them.
Mature Streams:
The slopes on a Mature stream are nowhere near as steep and through erosion and deposition , an actual floodplain has developed. You will notice with this stage of river that the rivers course (meandering belt) is equivalent to the width of the flood plain. You will also notice the flow is slower, the contours are not as sharp as with a Young Stream, and the deposition is finer. You may notice small sized gravel or silt.
Old Age Stream: The Old Age rivers are much more subdued and their flood plains are very broad. Far broader than the river itself. It is low gradient and has very low erosive energy.
Rivers, much like people. When young, move fast and are out to make their impact on the world. In old age, the pace is slowed down significantly, and you can definitely see by their mark, how much they accomplished over their lifespan.
Now that we have gained knowledge of the process of "How Rivers are Born"
The next part of this will require thinking and calculation on your part. I could answer "Why is this river flowing North?", but I will lead you to gain that information and come to the conclusion yourself.
You will need to visit all three waypoints given with your altimeter and take an elevation reading. The first waypoint will require a hike. The second two you may retrieve accurate elevation readings from your vehicle. All three areas are public thoroughfare.
1. Look at the sedimentation at Waypoint 1. Is it finer? Is it course? Do you see any sediment being carried along in the flow?
2. What is the measured width of the water at waypoint 1?
3. By using estimation, pick two points of reference from your vantage point, about 10-20 foot distance along the banks of the river. At what rate of speed is the river flowing between visual points A&B? Take a visual observation at Waypoints 2 & 3. Is the river flowing at the same rate of speed as waypoint 1 or does it have a acceleration or deceleration. Why do you think it is flowing at the rate it is? ?
4. From your observations at Waypoints 1-3, at what stage would you say this river is? Young, Mature, or Old? What made you come to this conclusion?
5. The Elevation at Big Blue River (Where this water leads to) is 899 Feet. What are the elevation readings at Waypoints 1-3?
6. Based on the data you have collected, why is the water flowing North?
7. Optional: Take a photo of yourself and post to your log.
Email me your answers (Please do not post them in your log) You do not have to wait for approval to log the Earthcache.
Thanks for visiting!
