This Earthcache is presented with the expressed permission of the Quincy Park District.
Groundwater is developed from three principal aquifer types in Illinois. These are generally categorized as sand and gravel aquifers within the unconsolidated geologic materials overlying the bedrock (most commonly found along the flood plains of the major rivers of Illinois); shallow bedrock aquifers lying within approximately 500 feet of land surface; and deep bedrock aquifers lying at depths greater than 500 feet of land surface (this type covers the northern most 40% of Illinois).
A spring is a location where groundwater naturally emerges from the Earth's subsurface in a defined flow and in an amount large enough to form a pool or stream-like flow. Springs can discharge fresh groundwater either onto the ground surface, directly into the beds of rivers or streams, or directly into the ocean below sea level. Most of the water that emerges at springs is meteoric in nature: that is, it originally fell as rain or snow on the surface of the Earth.
Flow from a spring can range from barely detectable, in which case the spring is usually called a seep, (an example can be seen near the intersection of RJ Peters Drive & Gardner Expressway, .5 miles west) to more than 30 cubic meters per second, which is about 7,900 gallons each second. Temperatures of spring water range from near water's freezing point to its boiling point.
Springs have captured the imagination of scientists and philosophers for thousands of years. In fact, many of the earliest ideas about the hydrologic cycle were inspired as people tried to understand the source of spring water. For many people, springs are the most obvious and interesting evidence of groundwater. Spring water also has practical uses. For example, in many regions, springs have played a role in determining where humans have chosen to settle. Humans first arrived in the area that became Illinois 14,000 years ago and may have used this very spring as a water source.
Spring water also is associated in the public's mind with exceptional quality, and bottled spring water is a booming business. Spring waters, particularly those from mineral and hot springs, have long been believed to possess therapeutic and medicinal value. However, no scientific evidence exists regarding their medicinal value. To the contrary, water from hot springs often contains large amounts of toxic dissolved materials, such as arsenic, that have leached from underground layers of rocks.
This water is cold and clear—is it fit to drink?
The quality of the water in the local ground-water system will generally determine the quality of spring water. The quality of water discharged by springs can vary greatly because of factors such as the quality of the water that recharges the aquifer and the type of rocks with which the ground water is in contact. The rate of flow and the length of the flow path through the aquifer affect the amount of time the water is in contact with the rock, and thus, the amount of minerals that the water can dissolve. The quality of the water also can be affected by the mixing of freshwater with pockets of ancient seawater in the aquifer.
So, should you feel confident about whipping out your canteen and filling it with cool and refreshing spring water? NO, you should be cautious. The water is crudely filtered in the rock, and the time spent underground allows debris and mud to fall out of suspension. If underground long enough, lack of sunlight causes most algae and water plants to die. However, microbes, viruses, and bacteria do not die just from being underground, nor are any agricultural or industrial pollutants removed. Those who know me have heard claims of my siblings and me drinking this water after hours of fun and adventures in South Park as kids. But please, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT drink this water.
To receive credit for this cache send a message with answers to the following:
1. What type of Aquifer feeds this spring?
2. What is the nature of the water flowing from this spring? What is the source of that water?
3. What type of material is used to contain/control the water flowing out of the Spring?
4. Although man-made, how many ponds are fed by this spring?
5. Why is it never a good idea to drink straight from a spring?
6. (Optional for Geocachers in wheelchairs) Using your hand as a thermometer, what is your estimated temperature?
Please feel free to post any photos.