San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary EarthCache
San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary
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This vista point offers a great vista view of the San Francisco Delta Bay Estuary Restoration project. This cache leads you to a series of informative locations that will help you understand the restoration project and area habitat(<.1 mi stroll)
The San Francisco Bay Delta Estuary system is the largest such system on the west coast of either North or South America. It drains over 1600 suare miles of land area Both the Sacramento River system and the San Joaquin river system drain into this estuary on their way to the Pacific Ocean. In addition, over 90% of the state's coastal wetlands are part of this estuary system.
This EASY multi-stage Earthcache will guide you on a short walk on a paved sidewalk/trail that will allow you to view and learn about this estuary system. The sidewalk is less than 500 feet long and all points on this earthcache are wheelchair accessible.
Estuarys are marine environments whose salinity and water levels vary, depending on the river(s) that feed(s) the estuary and the ocean from which it gets its salinityEstuaries can be grouped by circulation.
* Salt wedge. River output greatly exceeds marine input; there is little mixing, and therefore there is a sharp contrast between freshwater and saltwater.
* Highly stratified. The freshwater rivers and the saltwater ocean input is more event, though the saltwater input has less influence on the overall salinity. Turbulence induces more mixing than in the salt wedge.
* Slightly stratified. River output is less than the marine input. The turbulence (tides) causes mixing at all levels (shallow and deep). Therefore, the same salinity level exists "up and down" though it may still vary by location from shore and location within the estuary.
* Vertically mixed. River output is much less than marine input, which means that the freshwater doesn't affect the overall salinity except on the very surface of the water.
* Inverse estuary. Located in regions with high evaporation, there is no freshwater input and in fact salinity increases inland; The tides take salty water UP the rivers, at least on the surface level, and freshwater flows downstream mostly underwater.
The cache:
Coords 38 deg 07.104 122 deg 17.308
Read the sign at these cords that discusses the types of land present in the Bay-Delta Estuary system.
1. The majority of land in the North Bay is what type of land? See the map and legend at these cords. Submit this answer as #1 in the email you are sending to my profile (see my profile).
Coords 38 deg 07.102 122 deg 17.314.
THIS SIGN IS GONE DUE TO VANDALISM -- COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS "AS BEST POSSIBLE". PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN THE SIGN IS REPLACED.
A variety of plants and animals thrive in the brackish (part saltwater, part freshwater) water of the estuary system. They include Coyote Brush, Saltbrush, Pickleweed, and California Cordgrass. In addition, several birds and animals find this area an ideal habitat.
2. Which type of plant produces 5-10 times as much nutrient material and oxygen material per acre as wheat and in additions helps stabilize and maintain the mud flat deposits necessary in the marsh system? Submit this answer as #2 in the email you are sending to my profile.
3. Spend five minutes observing the area in front of you at these coordinates. Count the number of birds and mammals you observe. As possible, identify the animals (the sign in front of you should help) SIGNAGE IS GONE--VANDALISM. Submit this list as #3 in the email you are sending to my profile..
4. SKIP OR MAKE BEST GUESS UNTIL SIGN IS REPLACED. Based on the types of plants and animals listed in this estuary system and on the descriptions above, what type of estuary do you believe you are viewing? Submit this answer as #4 in the email you are sending to my profile.
Cords 38 deg 07.100 122 deg 17.320
This marsh area in front of you used to be a heavily populated area. In 1945, Guadalcanal Village was established to house 442 Naval families. However, between 1945 and 2000 the village was often flooded, costing the taxpayer millions and taxing the local habitat. In 2001, Pritchard Marsh (only 25% of which remained in 2000) was enlarged by a major restoration project the leveled Guadacanal Village and returned the area to near its state prior to 1945. The excess sediments and man-made structures were eliminated and the elevation levels were restored to their pre-1945 level. The resulting San Pablo Estuary Complex that you see in front of you was set aside as wildlife habitat.
5. How many acres of marsh land was unable to be restored and why? Submit this answer as #5 in the email you are sending to my profile.
6. How do you envision this marsh looking in 1950? What plants and animals do you imagine being present then? How do you invision this marsh looking in 2050? How might the habitat estuary system change? What human factors might adversely affect the future of this restoration project? (Look behind you at the cities for some possible hints). Submit this answer as #6 in the email you are sending to my profile.
7. (Now considered optional by GC.com, but please know that a picture helps me confirm that you were physically present if your answers to the logging requirements seem vague or incomplete) Take a picture of your group and GPS at these cords with the marsh behind you. Do not include any of the signage in your picture or your log will be deleted! Post this picture to your log.
Cords 38 deg 07.097 W122 deg 17.326
In 1970 only 25% of the area tidal marsh existed, thanks largely to human impact, high urbanization activities. Compare the map in front of you with the one under logging requirement #1.
8. Make three habitat observations about changes that have happened between the times each map represents. Send this answer as #8 in the email you are sending to my profile.
Logging: Since the advent of the "new" Message the Owner feature, I prefer messages through that venue DO NOT post these answers to your log or it will be deleted!
Failure to complete all requirements and logging criteria will result in your log being deleted.
I will only respond if you have incomplete logging requirements. Go ahead and log your cache
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Guvf vf na rnegupnpur fvyyl.