Taking care of our water EarthCache

Flowing beneath your feet: Groundwater

While much of the water that falls as rain flows to the oceans in streams, a portion of it sinks through the soil and becomes groundwater, Groundwater makes up a small portion of the earth's total water, but it supplies almost all the water that humans drink.

Groundwater does not flow as quickly as surface streams (because it flows through sediments and rocks) but it does flow.

The movement of rainwater through the soil layers into sediments and rocks layers below the earth's surface is called infiltration.

The amount of water that infiltrates the ground depends on how much space exists between particles.

The upper surface of the earth is like a sponge in this way; generally enough spaces exists between particles to allow water to infiltrate. But that is not always the case. For example, layers of tiny clay particles are often so packed together that there is no space between them for water to fill.

Three factors can increase the infiltration of sediments:

1. Increasing the space between particles. That can be accomplished by the roots of plants such as trees. Animal activity in the soil can also increase infiltration.

2. Decreasing the slope of the ground. A ground surface that is flat encourages the rain to sink in.

3. Lowering the intensity of rainfall. Too much rain that falls too quickly may fill only the upper layers of sediments, leaving additional water to run off in streams.

Once at GZ you will find some panels explaining what the city of Regina is doing in an attempt to increase the infiltration of the sediments and improve the quality of the water.

In order to be allowed to log this earthcache as found, you will need to provide me the answers to the following question. The answers should not be posted in your log but rather emailed to this cache owner.

1. What is the name of the process described at GZ ?

2. What type of water is being processed by this process ?

3. What kind of vegetation would you expect to see near GZ other than grass.? Look at the display.

4. As usual with earthcaches, a picture is optional but always appreciated.