VALLEY CITIES 2019 - BLACK RIVER HISTORY
This cache is part of the Valley Cities GeoTour 2019. If you are participating in the GeoTour, be sure to record each cache's code word or punch in your series passport to verify your visit. There are 40 caches placed throughout the four cities to take you to a variety of interesting or beautiful locations, and provide you with fun and informative geocaching experiences.
THE BRIEF HISTORY
The Black River is a tributary of the Duwamish River in King County in the U.S. state of Washington. It drained Lake Washington until 1916, when the opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal lowered the lake, causing part of the Black River to dry up. It still exists as a dammed stream about 2 miles long.
Before the 20th century, Lake Washington emptied from its south end into the Black River, which was joined by the Cedar River before meeting the White River (now the lower Green River; the White River has been diverted south). The confluence of the Black and White rivers created the Duwamish River, which emptied into Elliott Bay in Puget Sound. Thus, the water of rivers emptying into Lake Washington, such as the Sammamish River, once flowed through the Black and Duwamish rivers. Today, Lake Washington's water empties into Puget Sound via the Lake Washington Ship Canal.
In November 1911, the Cedar River flooded Renton. In 1912, the Cedar was diverted from the Black River into Lake Washington to avoid future floods. Its water still flowed through the Black after passing through Lake Washington. In 1916, with the opening of the Lake Washington Ship Canal in Seattle, the lake's level dropped nearly nine feet and the Black River dried up. Today, part of its bed forms the Black River Riparian Forest and Wetland.
The teal colored line represents the original path of the river from Lake Washington to the "White River" (now called the Duwamish). The blue line is the river's path today.
The Duwamish people lived along the Black River for many centuries. Duwamish settlements remained along the river until it dried up in 1916. Several indigenous villages were located near the confluence of the Black and Duwamish rivers. The area was called "Inside Place" (Lushootseed, from which comes the word "Duwamish"), referring to its location inland from Puget Sound. Long used as a place of refuge, the area became home to many natives displaced by the growing city of Seattle, until the Black River dried up.
THE CACHE
The cache, of course, is not at the listed coordinates since this is a multicache. The listed coordinates is the starting point of your journey to the cache. At the listed coordinates, you will find a sign that the City of Renton has put up that provides you with important park rules and regulations. Simply find the last three digits of the latitude and longitude. You can find that information by answering the following questions:
A = Under the CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS section, the section number associated with "Weapons & Fireworks".
B = Under the CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS section, the section number associated with "Domestic Animals in Parks".
C = Under the CIVIL VIOLATIONS section, the section number associated with "Trail Signs".
D = The last digit of the year that ordinance No. 5678 was adopted.
E = Under the CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS section, the section number associated with "Watercraft".
F = Under the CIVIL VIOLATIONS section, the section number associated with "Alcohol".
THE CACHE IS LOCATED AT: N 47 28.ABC W 122 14.DEF
Good luck.
This cache was placed by a WSGA member. If you are a geocacher in the state of Washington, please consider joining Washington State Geocaching Association. Follow this link to visit our website to learn more about becoming a WSGA member.
2019 is the first year of a formal GeoTour for the expanded geocaching adventure in the cities of Auburn, Kent, Renton & Maple Valley, Washington. Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation, auburntourism.com, visitkent, the Port of Seattle and the WSGA are stakeholders in this GeoTour. There are 10 caches placed in each city. The geocaches highlight some scenic outdoor area, park, trail, or general area of interest in these cities. We hope you enjoy visiting the area, learning about its natural beauty and interesting outdoor areas. You can visit the website for information about lodging discounts, restaurant, brewery and other discounts that are available while you are visiting our area, Valley Cities GeoTour.