Welcome to Boardman River Nature Center 
Click here to view BRNC's website. Note the days and hours in which they are open. The hours may change during the holidays. If in doubt, call the nature center before your visit.
Before you lies 505 acres of Pure Michigan nature to explore. While you're here, be sure to check out the nature center building to see the educational displays and book collection inside. Then, walk through some of the nicest trails in the area. As you explore, note the elevation change between the nature center and the bank of Sabin Pond. Watch for evidence of erosion. It is the topic of this EarthCache. Message me the answers to the questions to claim your find.
EROSION is the moving of surface material from Earth's crust. There are many agents such as wind, water, snow, ice, plants, and animals that can contribute to erosion. Even temperature and gravity have a role to play in erosion. Erosion is the process by which the surface of the Earth gets worn down and changed. Erosion is happening all around us. It is constantly changing our landscape.
The three main agents of erosion are water erosion ,snow and ice erosion, and wind erosion. Here at BRNC, water erosion is much more evident than the other two types. .
Erosion by Water: Moving water in the form of rain, streams, rivers, floods, lakes, and oceans carry away bits of soil and sand. Here at BRNC, water erosion is the result of Michigan's rainfall and snowmelt and also the body of water you see below. As you walk through the nature center, you may find evidence of all the following types of water erosion:
*Splash Erosion: Small soil particles are detached and sent airborne through the impact of raindrops on soil. Look for this type of erosion after a recent rainfall.
*Sheet Erosion: Raindrops break apart the soil structure and it's moved downslope by water that flows overland as a sheet rather than definitive channels. This occurs frequently after a short but heavy rainstorm.
*Rill Erosion: This process develops small, short-lived, concentrated flow paths. These paths create a sediment source and delivery system for hillslope erosion. Areas where precipitation rates exceed soil infiltration rates are more prone to this type of erosion. This erosion can only be seen on a slope such as you see here at BRNC.
*Gully Erosion: Water flows in narrow channels during or directly following heavy rains or melting snow. The gullies can erode to considerable depths. You may see this type of erosion at BRNC especially in the springtime of the year.
*Valley or Stream Erosion: Continual water flow alongside land (along a linear feature) creates this type of erosion. It extends downward, deepening a valley, and headward, extending the valley into the hillside. This occurs most frequently in times of flooding. An obvious example of valley or stream erosion can be seen by observing the bank of Sabin Pond.
Water erosion can be powerful! Around the world, water erosion can occur in a short period of time when water from a hurricane, tsunami, or even heavy rainfall begins to move. As rushing water flows to lower areas, huge amounts of land and vegetation are carrried downstream, causing dramatic and permanent changes to the Earth. In extreme cases, roads, bridges, and buildings are destroyed because of the water's force and indeed much has been recorded for our viewing on the internet.
Variables such as soil type and vegetation greatly affect the rate of erosion. Water erosion is the most common type of erosion and is responsible for the majority of erosion of Earth's surface.
Erosion by Snow and Ice: The erosive power of moving ice is another main cause of erosion. When water seeps into cracks in rocks and freezes, it causes the rocks to separate and fall apart, a process known as weathering. When thawing occurs, melting ice can carry rocks and particles down sloping areas, thus eroding the landscape.
Here in Northern Michigan, where the temperature varies from season to season and even within a season, this type of erosion occurs often. Farther north and at higher elevations, ice masses melt and move and carry with them soil and rocks essentially carving out the landscape in a process known as plucking and abrasion. Ice melts moves across the land surface picking up the stones and rocks in its path and leaves a jagged landscape.. Examples of this can be seen in many places but especially in the colder and more mountainous regions of the world.
Erosion by Wind: Wind is another important agent of erosion. Wind erosion gets started when wind blows against the surface of the ground. Particles are picked up and moved, often eroding and causing abrasion to other surfaces in the process. The amount of abrasion is dependent on the moving soil type. Silt and clay particles are soft and not as effective at eroding other surfaces, but the destructiveness occurs when particles pollute the air, enter homes, and smother crops. As wind speed increases, larger and heavier particles are picked up and moved. In dry areas, wind can pick up sand and blast with so much force that it can polish rocks and cliffs until they are smooth. Wind erosion occurs mostly in flat and dry areas with light or sandy soil.
To observe wind erosion, look for lack of vegetation, such as beaches and deserts, and the resultant arches, dunes, and blowouts, where the sediment has been eroded away leaving a cracked flat surface. A very destructive example of wind erosion was seen in the history of the 1930s Dust Bowl, when thousands of acres of valuable topsoil were eroded away by strong wind and also today's impressive land formations of the southwest United States
EROSION can cause negative effects on Earth by the unwanted moving of topsoil. But erosion can sometimes be beneficial. It has carried fresh soil over barren areas to create fertile lands, leaving the weathering process to replace the original topsoil. New plants grow where not possible before and attract insects and animal life. Soil deposited downstream in a river can create shallow swamps and islands for wildlife. Erosion has carved out some beautiful landforms that are well known, like the Grand Canyon and Pictured Rocks.
Enjoy your time at Boardman River Nature Center as you make your observations about water erosion. Comments about your visit in your online log are welcome. Our thanks to the staff at BRNC for allowing the placement of this EarthCache.
QUESTIONS:
1. Define erosion.
2. What efforts has BRNC made to slow the water erosion? What would happen if these efforts had not been made?
3. What do you see occurring naturally on the slope that also helps slow erosion?
4. At the given coordinates and as you walk farther down the trail, which of the five types of water erosion do you see?
5. Mark your visit of the Boardman River Nature Center by posting a picture of yourself and some of the beauty of the trails (optional).