To log this EarthCache and receive credit for it, answer the following questions:
- Looking at the sides of the streambed, can you see evidence of deposition overtime? Describe what you see and how it differs on each side of the creek.
- What signs of erosion can you see along the banks of Sand Creek?
- What human activities nearby may have contributed to the erosion?
- What is an idea that you think would help to prevent further erosion and shifting of Sand Creek?
- Can you see any geological formations in the bottom of Sand Creek? Describe what you see.
- (Optional but appreciated) Post a picture in your log of yourself or your GPS with Sand Creek or something cool at the site in the background
Please send answers in a reasonable time after logging.
Sand Creek is a tributary of Catalpa Creek that begins in north-central Oktibbeha County. It runs through the northern part of campus, including North Farm, and continues to travel southeast across Oktibbeha County and into Lowndes County. In Lowndes County, it meets up with Catalpa Creek several miles north of Artesia. After this, it continues to flow southeast into the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. The creek itself is a prominent feature, cutting across North Farm and dividing it into two sections.
Along each side of Sand Creek, there is a large drop formed through a geological process called stream erosion. Stream erosion is when the water current wears away at the banks of the stream, causing it to widen and shift over time. As stream erosion continuously occurs, it can carve into the earth and create a canyon-like drop on either side of the waterway such as the one surrounding Sand Creek. One famous example of stream erosion over a long time is the carving of the Grand Canyon by the Colorado River over several million years. Erosion generally occurs over long periods of time. However, sometimes a storm surge, a change in the waterflow of a river, or human activities can increase the speed at which erosion occurs. As a stream continues to erode its banks, it picks up sediment, generally in the form of rocks, sand, and pebbles, and transports it downstream. At points throughout the system, the sediment is caught and builds up dunes and other features in the stream that can result in turbulent water and rapids. Additionally, this sediment can sometimes be deposited along the banks of the stream, resulting in different colour banks on the same stream.
The erosion of waterways and bodies of water can become problematic over time. One major issue is the destabilization of soil that can lead to landslides, especially during heavy storms. At a small scale, these can damage equipment and waterways. At a large scale, they can cause mass destruction and kill many people. Another major issue caused by erosion is the shifting of waterways and other bodies of water. Many borders are based upon rivers, creeks, and other bodies of water at the time that they were drawn. When erosion causes meandering, borders can either be shifted or no longer align with the water, creating small pieces of land that are separated from the rest of their controlling jurisdiction. Taking a short look along the borders drawn using the Mississippi River, especially around the delta, can demonstrate many examples of this.
Free parking is available about 5 to 10 minutes walk away from this EarthCache at the Veteran’s Memorial Rose Garden by Highway 182 and next to the McKay building. The walk from the rose garden is slightly longer, but also a lot flatter and may be easier for those who have difficulty walking. The parking near the McKay building is closer, but requires walking up and down the hill, which may be difficult for some cachers.
Sources: Wikipedia and personal knowledge. Image taken at Noxubee Refuge
Mississippi State University and MAFES permit geocaching at North Farm, allowing this and other caches to be placed. Please be respectful so that this policy doesn't get changed.