.
~~ Welcome to the Meandering Earthcache ~~
~~ on the St. Joseph River! ~~
( THIS IS NOT A QUICK EARTHCACHE )
*** This Earthcache will require a watercraft. Happy Floating! ***
- As this is an Earthcache, there is no physical container at any of the locations.
- Answer the quesitons below to log this cache!
The St. Joseph River stretches 210 miles. That is a LOT of meandering.
This Earthcache will take you to TWO of them.
Definition: meander:
noun
-
a winding curve or bend of a river or road.
"the river flows in sweeping meanders"
For this earthcache, we will explore what a meander is and why they curve instead of follow a straight path.
We will be examining TWO meanders.
Meander #1 - POSTED COORDS
Meander #2 - REFERENCE WAYPOINT - about half mile downstream
YOU MUST VISIT BOTH MEANDERS.
What is a meander and why does it curve?
A meander is when water flows in a curvy, bendy path, like a snake. As a river makes its way through an area that is relatively flat, it often develops bends as it erodes its way through the path of least resistance. Once a meander starts, it often becomes more and more exaggerated. Why is this? Water is pushed to the outside of a bend, and erodes the curve further, while water on the inside is slower and deposits sediment. This is why you often see sand bars and beaches on the inside of the curve. Due to erosion on the outside of a bend and deposition on the inside, the shape of a meander changes over time.
How to Access Both Meanders:
Since, you must visit BOTH meanders to observe and infere, I have included waypoints to make your journey easier.
(Yes, both meanders are a requirement, not just one and done)
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
Please complete the tasks and questions below, and send me your answers. If logging for a group, please include the names of everyone in your group.
(1) Meander #1(Posted):
The river at this point(last .25miles) is on a northwestern path and an overall southwestern path towards Indiana. But here it decided to meander northeast.
(A) - Describe the ground this river ran into to cause it to make an almost "U-turn" rather than continue cutting through the now formed peninsula. (Solid bedrock, boulders, more sand than stone, sturdy vegetation, etc)
(B) - There is a little river island just south of the big meander ahead. Do you see the majority of the sand south of the island or north of the mini island? Where do you believe the first flow was at this site(North or South of the island)? Is it still the main flow?
(C) - Using the information above and your on site research, Do you think the river is digging deeper trenches where it currently flows to provide the path of less resistance for long term(100 years) or do you think it will eventually cut through the peninsula?
(2) Meander #2(Reference Point - N 41° 59.839′ W 85° 16.458′):
Here you will notice the river split into two seperate meanders creating a small island in the middle. We will use the river to try to determine which section houses the main flow of the river.
(A) Calculate the flow rate in "Feet Per Second" for EACH of the two river sections after the split.
- This may be done by measuring a distance along each of the rivers banks, floating an object(a stick, leaf, floatation device on a rope or your watercraft) from your starting point to the ending point, and recording the time it takes to float the distance.
- Once the "Distance" and "Time" are determined, calculate the "Feet Per Second" for EACH section. Include in your message.
(B) Now using these times, which meander section is the main flow. North flow or South flow
(C) Estimate the approximate river width of each section of the split. Did the wider section retain the majority of the flow based on your calculated times or do you feel the smaller section now claims the main river flow? Where do you see the majority of the sand to support this answer?
(3) PHOTO:
Take a photo of yourself (or personal item) showing the river bend at either location in the background. This is a requirement. Please attach it to your found it log.
If you need help or advice on completing this Earthcache, please message me. Hope you enjoyed this lesson. Happy travels!