This earthcache was originally created by Odysseus2000 and then maintained by CommanderUSN before ACME_WildCachers took over in November 2023. The original cache details appear below.
The Earthcache highlights an unusual triple-point watershed break. Earthcaches are not like regular geocaches - there is no container here. It is a geology lesson and to earn the smiley you must answers some geology questions. Send your answers to the cache owner shown at the top of the page.
>>> NOTE: Open Daily from Sunrise to Sunset <<<<
Triple Point Watershed
You've probably heard of the Great Divide where all precipitation falling on one side goes to one great body of water, like the Atlantic Ocean, while precipitation falling just a few inches away ends up in another body of water, like the Pacific Ocean instead.
Here at the high point in Pope Farm Conservancy, there is a rare TRIPLE Point watershed. The triple-point in Pope Conservancy all eventually end up in the same place -- the Mississippi River and on to the Gulf of Mexico. BUT they all get there by very different routes, or watersheds.
If you are standing at the given coordinates, facing north:
- Rain falling to your left and in front of you ends up in the Lower Wisconsin Watershed, west to the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien, and out to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Rain falling to your right ends up in the Rock River Watershed, into Lake Mendota and the Yahara River, then down to the Rock River in Illinois and out to the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.
- Rain falling behind you ends up in the Grant-Platte-Sugar-Pecatonica Watershed also flows to the Mississippi River, but via Illinois' Platte River, and finally out to the Gulf of Mexico.
Wisconsin Watershed Basins Map
Questions:You MUST answer to keep the smiley for this Earthcache.
Q1: Can you tell from the lay of the land exactly where the triple-point is on the ground? Describe that point in your own words and why you think it's so. (For example: where is it in relation to the stone fence, oak tree, signage, etc.)
Q2: What is the elevation at the high point?
Q3: What are the names of the three nearby creeks or rivers that these triple-points drain into first.
For Info see any of these:
- Geology Circle signage
- Self-Guided Tour: The Geology of Pope Farm brochure
- Online at Pope Farm Conservancy website under Interpretive Signs
- Wisconsin DNR Watersheds & basins
Resources:
Gateway to Wisconsin's Basins and Watersheds: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Watersheds/basins/
Water sustainability and Climate University of Wisconsin: https://wsc.limnology.wisc.edu/about/watershed
Gifts of the Ice: The Geology of Pope Farm: https://www.popefarmconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/FOPFC-Self-Guided-Tours-Geology.pdf
Pope Farm Conservancy Interpretive Signs: https://www.popefarmconservancy.org/plan-your-visit/interpretive-signs/