{Geology}
Kern River
The Kern River is approximately 165 miles long, and flows through the Kern River Canyon. The canyon was created and caused by tectonic movement, not just the erosional force of the Kern River. It flows southward from the Sierra Nevada mountains. The very active Kern Canyon Fault runs the length of the canyon, explaining the formation of the canyon. To the north is the large Kern River Oil Field. The Kern River can be classified for the most part as a meandering stream. Meandering streams come about when the area of flow is low gradient, or low slope, meaning the water is not rapidly moving at a strong downward angle. A low slope terrain means that the stream begins to wander, carving its own path through the ground. The river wanders about making curves and turns as it goes. These sharp curves constantly erode the outside bank.
The fastest moving water along a curve is naturally toward the outside bank, and likewise, the inner bank of the curve is home to very low-velocity water flow. The faster water erodes the outside bank and deposits the sediment on the inside. This results in a steeper bank on the outside, and a gradual slope on the inside. The constant erosion and pressure of the fast moving water widens the banks of the river over time.
River meanders can get so curvy over time that they form oxbow lakes.
An oxbow lake is a lake formed by a river that had bent back and touches itself, creating a more direct route for the river, ultimately cutting off the curve. The curve is now the oxbow lake.
Kern Meadow
The 165 mile long Kern River used to empty into Buena Vista Lake, yet that is now all dried up. The Kern River is often a hot-spot for water recreation, yet the water in the river is also used for irrigation and drinking water. This means that much of the water is consumed. The Kern River, in recent (dry, drought-stricken) decades, has faced high stress, meaning more than 80% of its flow is withdrawn each year. The Kern River is now often all dried up in some spots, creating a dry bed or meadow.
{Logging Requirements}
Send a note with the name of this earthcache at the top and:
1) Is it currently the Kern River or the Kern Meadow in this spot?
2) Are you on the inside or the outside of a curve at this point?
3) Post any pictures to the cache page, please!
ENJOY!
{Sources}
1) http://www.sjvgeology.org/geology/groundwater/index.html
2) http://www.onegeology.org/extra/kids/earthprocesses/meanderingRivers.html
3) http://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1QN2P_yosemite-valley-river-meander
4) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kern_River
5) http://www.weather.com/news/science/environment/dried-lakes-rivers-and-other-bodies-water-disappearing-fast-20140425