Rim Swamps
What is a Rim Swamp, and why is there one at LHWP?
Let’s first understand about traditional swamps. Most know about the big southern swamps like Okefenokee, Atchafalaya, and the Everglades. These swamps are characterized by moving water, even if it is slow moving, toward a final point. They are forested wetlands that are typically found near rivers or lakes, and traditionally drain into them. The water found in these can be fresh, sea-water, or brackish.
The terrain is normally low, with little contour in the swamp area itself.
The park goes out of its way to point out the rim swamp in the area. In this flood plain, it may either be wet or dry, depending on the recent weather. This is a big difference from traditional swamps that are normally always wet. This rim swamp collects water runoff from the hillsides around, and since the elevation is very close to the water level, can stay wet and swampy during high areas of rain, and dry when little rain has been received.
For the Star Wars enthusiasts, many believe that the swampy area on Degobah where Master Yoda lived was a rim swamp.
To claim this Earthcache, please email me about the geological features for the area that help contribute to this being an active rim swamp, along with a note about why this is different in this area than typical for Houston and surroundings. The location given overlooks the rim swamp.
This earthcache is placed with the permission and full support of the Park Ranger. There is a $3 admission to the park and it is open from 7 AM until sunset.