We hope your enjoy your paddle on Sixteen Mile Creek, where beautiful scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Paddle to the posted coordinates. Paddling is the only way to legally get to this earth cache.
To claim a find on this earth cache, at the posted coordinates:
- Estimate the height of the cliff.
- Touch the surface. Describe the texture. Does it feel hard and smooth? Rough? Crumbly?
- Complete the activity described in the supplied flow chart to categorize the type of soil you find around GZ. You do not require any special equipment for this, but a print out or electronic copy of the flowchart is needed.
- Do you see any holes or irregularities in the surface of the cliff? If so, What do you think might have made this?
- What evidence of erosion do you see here? If you paddle further down to ‘Canada Island’ (OPTIONAL), what do you see there?
- Take a photo at GZ. We would love to see you and your group, but if you prefer, you can show your gps, trackable, or other personal item.
Background:
The Fifteen and Sixteen Mile Creeks Valleys have been designated and an ANSI. Erosion is a major concern for this area. “According to the MTO Drainage Management Manual (Ministry of Transportation, 1995) silt loam and silty clay loam have a high susceptibility to erosion and silty clay has a medium susceptibility to erosion. These soil types can be found throughout the Fifteen-Sixteen-Eighteen Mile Creeks watershed.” (https://npca.ca/images/uploads/common/NPCA-Watershed-Plan-15-16-18Mile-Creek.pdf).
Soil typing:
Use this guide to determine the type of soil found in the cliff, using the 'ribbon method':
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/164615/determining_soil_texture_using_-ribboning_technique.pdf
The goal with all of our earth caches is for you to visit beautiful/interesting places and enjoy yourself. Just do your best! 
Bibliography:
“Determining Soil Texture Using the Ribboning Technique.” Department of Primary Industries, Dec. 2014, www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/164615/determining_soil_texture_using_-ribboning_technique.pdf.
FIFTEEN-SIXTEEN-EIGHTEEN MILE CREEK WATERSHED PLAN. Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, 2008, https://npca.ca/images/uploads/common/NPCA-Watershed-Plan-15-16-18Mile-Creek.pdf.
“Natural Resources Conservation Service.” Guide to Texture by Feel | NRCS Soils, United States Department of Agriculture, https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/soils/edu/kthru6/?cid=nrcs142p2_054311.
Quaternary Geology of the Niagara Area, Southern Ontario. Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines (MNDM) , http://www.geologyontario.mndm.gov.on.ca/mndmfiles/pub/data/imaging/P0764/p0764.pdf.
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