The Monocacy River name comes from the Shawnee name for the river, Monnockkesey, which translates to "river with many bends." It begins at the Marsh Creek and Rock Creek River Confluence. The combining force of these two creeks forms the massive Monocacy River which ends at the Potomac River Confluence. This river flows through Carrol and Frederick counties ending at the Potomac river. About 60% of the Monocacy watershed is dedicated to agricultural use; about 33% of the watershed is forested. The city of Frederick and its suburbs form the largest urban area within the watershed.
The State of Maryland designated the Monocacy as a Maryland Scenic River in 1974. However, it has one of the greatest nonpoint source pollution problems in the state due in large part to runoff from the 3,500 farms, livestock operations and dairies in the watershed. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has listed the Monocacy with impaired water quality for sediment and fecal coliform bacteria.
Often the Monocacy river floods the area at which you stand during heavy rain. Pollutants entering surface waters during precipitation events is termed polluted runoff. Daily human activities result in deposition of pollutants on roads, lawns, roofs, farm fields, etc. When it rains or there is irrigation, water runs off and ultimately makes its way to a river, lake, or the ocean. When the river floods it often can rise up to 25 feet from the normal depth. When the river is this high a storm recently has occurred and the water color will have the contaminants from the run-off on dry land. This can cause a color depending on the contaminants in the water.
Shifting focus to the cache itself lets focus on Geomorphology. Geomorphology (from Greek: γῆ, ge, "earth"; μορφή, morfé, "form"; and λόγος, logos, "study") is the scientific study of the origin and evolution of topographic and bathymetric features created by physical or chemical processes operating at or near the earth's surface. Geomorphologists seek to understand why landscapes look the way they do, to understand landform history and dynamics and to predict changes through a combination of field observations, physical experiments and numerical modeling. Geomorphology is practiced within physical geography, geology, geodesy, engineering geology, archaeology and geotechnical engineering. After a brief history the statements result from Urbanization of land. This is classified as Geomorphology and the Monocacy River presents a great example of how land and the earth change shape based on the phenomenon.
A great excerpt from a University Study highlights some great details:
The land-use changes associated with urbanization have a range of critical impacts on watersheds, stream geomorphology, and habitat. Much of the thinking about how streams respond to urbanization proliferating through the catchment follows a two step model. First, when construction begins, streams aggrade due to increased sediment delivery to channels from cleared land or active construction sites. Second, once construction ends the land surface is stabilized and sediment load is decreased, streams scour and erode. This thinking assumes that there is a finite end to development and that urbanization is completed at some point in time. On the contrary, urban development is an ongoing process that spreads throughout watersheds in a non-systematic spatial and temporal pattern. Development is often followed by re-development and new construction may take place within areas that were previously urbanized.
The main geomorphic effect of urban development on watersheds is the change in the infiltration capacity of the Earth's surface because of the increase of impervious surfaces such as parking lots, roads, and rooftops. In urban catchments, the lag time between peak precipitation and peak runoff is shortened because the flow of water in the catchment is not slowed by infiltration. Culverts, storm drains, and other artificial links in the stream network also increase the rate at which runoff enters a channel. Both of the principle controls on stream morphology, discharge and sediment supply are affected by urbanization. Surface runoff can erode sediment from open construction sites where vegetation has been removed, increasing the sediment load in streams. The changes in hydrology increase the in-stream potential for erosion and scour, thus increasing the sediment load contribution from the channel itself.
USGS monitors the water level from a measuring device stationed on the bridge. It can be accessed via the internet to receive accurate information of river conditions.
Flooding is a serious man made and natural occurrence for this river. There is evidence of the damage it causes from where you stand. On the embankments there are fallen trees and erosion of the land exposing roots, rocks and under earth. As time passes the river can take different shapes and shift land slightly from these occurrences. The earth's geological properties help make this happen with the moon and gravity moving water.
Numerous water treatment plants also discharge treated water from man made waste into the Monocacy river which attributes to additional pollution. An information sign is nearby listing all the facilities if you are interested. This can cause over abundance of organisms that can be considered invasive. Often this happens in bays and lakes when too much nitrogen is injected into the water which can cause bacteria and algae to grow rapidly.
To receive credit for this cache please answer the questions below and email them to the CO in order to log the cache found:
Since you are near non-permeable ground. What type of Geomorphology do you observe? Specifically physical changes to the earth.
Does the color of the dirt from where you stand reflect the color of the water from run-off?
From where you stand look off to the west (down river) and you will observe Geomorphology. What has changed in regards to land. What was here before the change happened? If you have issues the ramp may give better view point.
Hydrology often references how permeable land can be. Maryland is known for dirt having shale and clay formations beneath the surface. Does this help water soak in better or does it create more erosion?
From where you stand focus on the bridge and estimate the height of the water currently, and what the highest it has been based on visual staining.
On top of eroding what other type of evidence do you observe that has caused damage to the surrounding land? (Specifically from flooding)
What type of erosion did you witness bank, valley or thermal?
Optional but not required:
Take a picture of the current water level of the river!
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