Welcome to my Earthcache! An Earthcache is a special type of geocache where there is no container to find - instead you are looking for a unique geological feature of the area and need to answer questions, as well as posting a picture, in order to claim the find. At this location, you will be standing on the beach along New Lake Shore Dr in Nanticoke. There is parking in designated spots along New Lake Shore Dr, with some having very steep access and others having a longer but much shallower approach.
Depending on the lake water levels, you may need to wade to access this cache. Alternately, you can make your observations from the safety of a water craft or vessel, if you would prefer to use a vessel to travel to the area from Port Dover or another dock of your choosing. At the time of placement (Nov 2, 2025) I was able to walk to the area in running shoes without getting wet. In order to complete this earthcache, you will need to walk along the beach, measure the angle of the swash zone as described below, answer some additional questions about what you are seeing in the area, and take a photo of yourself at GZ.
1. Evidence of Wrack: What evidence of wrack can you find today? Describe what you see along the wrack line (color, texture, materials). Does that sand appear to change at the wrack line compared to other areas of the beach?
2. Wave Influence: Observe the ridge near the water’s edge. Why do you think material has been deposited here rather than being carried farther out?
3. Angular Beach: Using a clinometer (you can build your own as described here) or an app on your phone, measure the angle of the swash zone, and the angle of the beach face. What is the difference between the two angles? Why do you think that the angle of the swash zone is greater than the angle of the beach face.
4. Mandatory Photo Task: Post a photo of yourself, your signature item, a piece of paper with your name written on it, or your GPS at the site and post it with your log. You are not required to show your face in the photo, but each geocacher should upload an image with their log indicating that they were there.
Earthcache Lesson
Wrack, Waves and the Shape of the Shore
Introduction
Welcome to the dynamic edge of land and water — a publicly accessible section of Lake Erie with beach access. A beach is a constantly changing landform found along the shoreline of an ocean, sea, lake, or river - in this case, Lake Erie. It is made up of loose particles such as sand, gravel, pebbles, or cobblestones, which are moved and reshaped by waves, currents, and wind. These particles are most often derived from rock, but may also include biological material such as shell fragments or algae.
Although it may look simple, a beach is a system of zones that each play a part in shaping its overall form. These zones change from day to day and season to season as wave energy rises and falls. The upper portions of the beach are typically dry except during storms or high tides, while the lower parts are repeatedly washed by waves. Together, these areas form what geologists call a beach profile — a cross-sectional view that shows how a beach slopes and shifts over time.
Beach Zones and How They Form
Beaches can be divided into several recognizable sections, each created by the interaction of waves and sediment movement. Closest to the water is the swash zone, which is alternately covered and exposed as waves rush up (swash) and retreat (backwash). Above it lies the beach face, the sloping section exposed to this constant movement of water. Next is the wrack line — the highest reach of the waves during an average day, where floating debris such as algae, shells, driftwood, and other materials are deposited. Beyond that, we find the berm, a nearly flat portion of the beach that remains dry except during storms or very high water levels. The berm may merge into or support sand dunes further inland.
These zones are not static; they shift with the seasons. During calm summer conditions, waves are gentler and tend to build up the beach by depositing sediment on the berm and dune, creating a higher, wider profile. In contrast, during winter or stormy periods, the stronger, more energetic waves erode the berm and transport material offshore, lowering the beach profile and forming underwater sand bars. The balance between deposition and erosion continually reshapes the beach, moving sediment back and forth between the land and the lake.
The Ridge and the Swash Zone
If you look closely about four feet inland from the water’s edge, you may notice a small ridge or rise in the sand. This ridge marks the upper limit of recent wave action. It forms where incoming waves lose energy and can no longer carry their load of sand, gravel, or shells. As the water slows, it drops its heaviest material first, building a narrow ridge at that high-swash mark. Each wave reinforces it, depositing new sediment on the crest. Heavier grains such as magnetite or coarse sand are often found here, while lighter material is carried back toward the water with the retreating backwash.
A sharp ridge forms where wave swash loses energy and deposits sediment in areas where tides are minimal, such as Lake Erie. The point where the uprush stops becomes a natural drop zone for sand and heavier materials. Repeated deposition at this point builds a raised ridge, which can mark the high-swash line, the berm crest, or even the wrack line. It’s one of the most visible signs of how waves actively shape and rebuild the beach every day.
This process of swash and backwash is what gives the beach its gently sloping shape. Over time, repeated cycles of wave motion build and smooth the beach face, constantly redistributing the sand in response to changing water levels and wind energy. Storms, in particular, can dramatically alter the shape of the shoreline by flattening ridges, carving steep scarps, or forming new berms further inland.
The Wrack Line — Nature’s Recyclers at Work
The wrack line is where material from the lake or sea finally comes to rest — the uppermost reach of daily wave action. This line often contains wrack, a mix of seaweed, algae, driftwood, shells, and other organic matter that once lived offshore. While it may look messy, the wrack zone is one of the most important parts of the beach ecosystem.
As the wrack begins to decay, it provides nutrients that support fungi, insects, and other small organisms. Birds and small animals feed on the life that thrives there, making the wrack line a vital source of food and shelter. Clumps of wrack also act as wind shadows, trapping blowing sand, seeds, and shells. This accumulation encourages dune plants to take root in the nutrient-rich material. Over time, these small patches of vegetation stabilize the sand and form dunes — natural barriers that protect the shoreline from erosion.
When beaches are “raked” to remove seaweed and organic debris for aesthetic purposes, this natural cycle is disrupted. Without wrack to trap sand and support plant growth, the beach loses its ability to build dunes, making it more vulnerable to wind and wave erosion. In short, wrack is what helps keep the beach in place.
AI Content Disclosure
Some of the descriptive text and/or images on this page were created with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. All information has been reviewed, verified, and edited by the cache owner for accuracy and clarity.
This cache was placed by a PROUD Platinum Earthcache Master.
