Locking Erosion at Port Canaveral EarthCache

This earthcache is located at the Canaveral Locks at Port Canaveral with permission. The questions can be answered outside the gates to the lock. Being that this is an earthcache, there is no physical container to find. To get your smiley for the cache, e-mail your answers for the questions below to the cache owner.

Canaveral Lock is the largest navigation lock in Florida. This particular lock was built larger than other locks in Florida due to the fact that is was used to allow passage of the Saturn rocket’s first stage for the Apollo program. The Canaveral lock was constructed by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1965 to secure safe passage of vessels from the Banana River to Port Canaveral and the Atlantic Ocean.

What is a Lock?
A lock is a device used to lift or lower boats between two different levels of water. A boat enters the lock at one end and the gates of the lock are closed. The boat then waits for the operators to raise or lower the water level inside the lock to match the water level in which they wish to enter. After the water level has changed to match, the other end of the lock gate is opened and the boat exits.

Locks and Erosion
As a negative reaction, locks can stop the normal flooding of rivers and can cause excessive sediment and vegetation build up. On the other hand, locks can sometimes help prevent sediment erosion, which is the case for the Canaveral lock. The Canaveral lock helps slow erosion by maintaining the separation between the Banana River and the Atlantic Ocean. The Canaveral Lock specifically was built to (1) reduce tidal-current velocities in Canaveral Harbor, (2) prevent entry of hurricane tides into the Banana River, and (3) prevent salt water intrusion into the Banana River. These 3 concepts are explained below.

#1 Canaveral Locks reducing tidal-current Velocity in Canaveral Harbor:
Tidal current velocity, or the speed in which water is flowing, causes coastal erosion. The faster the water flows, the more potential there is for greater sediment erosion. Tidal current velocity is the main way sediment is transported in bays and harbors. Specifically when it comes to inlets, tidal flow through the entrance may be very fast. The Canaveral lock slows down the speed of the tide, thus slowing down sediment erosion and sediment deposition on the inner shelf.

#2 Canaveral Locks preventing hurricane tides entering into the Banana River:
More storms hit Florida than any other state. Since 1851, only eighteen hurricane seasons passed without a known storm impacting the state. Hurricanes cause elevated sea level, also known as storm surges, and extensive shoreline erosion along with other geologic effects. The Canaveral Lock helps protect the Banana River from large waves which might otherwise enter and cause erosion.

#3 Canaveral Locks preventing salt water intrusion into the Banana River:
Salt water is denser than fresh water so it sinks to the bottom of a river bed when both are present. Salt water intrusion is the movement of saline water into fresh water. Salt water mixed with fresh water in rivers can be harmful to plants that may otherwise help provide erosion barriers. The Canaveral lock helps prevent salt water intrusion by physically blocking it from entering the Banana River.

To get credit for the cache, please answer the questions below. When answering the questions do your best. It is more important that you learn a new concept about our earth and can apply your knowledge, rather than have a precise answer.

Questions:
1- Please tell us the name of the earthcache and how many people are in your group.
2- Using your GPS unit, record and report the elevation of the lock at the coordinates or gate.
3- How high of a hurricane storm surge do you think the lock could stop?
4- Do you think the Canaveral lock is effective at preventing erosion? Why?

Thank you for visiting this earthcache. Please send your answers to the above questions to the cache owner. In your "found it" log feel free to write about your experience, but don't include the earthcache answers. Thanks and we hope you enjoy the beautiful Port Canaveral Locks!