A water container of some sort is needed for this earthcache.
Back when we started geocaching we were brought to this park for an Earthcache, that Earthcache no longer exists. I remember that experience and wanted to share with other cachers that may not have been able to do that one.
The location of this cache will bring to you a nice little 18 acre park. The park was just recently renovated (creek stabilization, new restrooms, more parking, and new signs). The park has trails, picnic shelters, and allows fishing. The main reason we are here today is the Artesian Well.
Way back in 1904 this well was accidentally discovered by drillers that were searching for natural gas. For nearly 20 years there was just a pipe sticking out of the ground until it was donated in 1926. It wasn't until 1994 that Flowing Well Park opened to the public. Back in 1926 this well did an impressive 60 gallons of water per minute but due to enhanced development in the community it is much lower.
So you may be asking yourself, what is so special about an artesian well? An artesian well is a well that is tapping groundwater that is under pressure. No pump is needed to bring the water to the surface, which has been useful for hundreds of years. An aquifer provides the water source for the well. Groundwater in aquifers may be confined under pressure between layers of poorly permeable rock. When that aquifer is tapped by a well, the water will rise from the well onto land surface.
This artesian well is using the White River and Tributaries Outwash Aquifer System. The system has a very wide main trunk with long, narrow, north-south to northeast-soutwest trending tributaries that transect other unconsolidated aquifer systems. This system has large volumes of sand and gravel that were deposited by glaciers. As the glaciers melted, the sediment contained within them was delivered to adjacent streams in quantities too large for the streams to transport. As a result, the increased sediment load was stored in the valleys. As long as the retreating glaciers continued to provide too much sediment for the streams to transport, the valleys continued to be filled. In this way, thick deposits of outwash sand and gravel accumulated in the valleys of the White River and its tributaries, forming the most prolific aquifer system in the basin. This system is one of the most productive aquifer systems in the basin and has the potential to consistently meet the needs of high-capacity water users.
The water from Flowing Well is untreated groundwater and the quality of it may vary from day to day. The Carmel Water Department test the water monthly to make sure that is within norm, but they still recommend boiling the water before drinking.
To log this cache you must:
1) take a picture of yourself filling up a jug or water bottle from the well (or a picture of your filled container next to the well) and attach it to your log
2) if you were to fill one gallon up from one spigot, how long would it take you? (message me your answer)
3a) did the water have any specific kind of smell? (message me your answer)
3b) why do you think this well or wells in general have this smell? (message me your answer)
4) in your own words why do you think the well can happen at this location (message me your answer)
You do not need to wait for a response from me before logging this cache.
Further reading: Carmel-Clay Parks and Rec, USGS.gov