This is not your typical
P&G EC, but rather your ATYPICAL "Paddle & Grab" EC on the
scenic Cannon River, west of Miesville. Land to water (where GZ is
located) access will require wading through shallow muck and then
knne-deep water from the abandoned railroad rustic grass rail trail
on the North Bank of the Cannon River. Thus, the 5 terrain rating.
Refering to the topo map will show you the best access via your
vehicle if you are unable to experience this cache via the
river.
The listed coordinates will bring you to an
interesting phenomenon on the Cannon River. Take a moment as you
approach this area to listen to the sounds emanating from this
site.
What you are hearing is the echo of the powerful flow of a mineral
spring whose “healing properties” shaped the history of this region
and affected the lives of many.
In 1904, the U.S government reported the
mortality from tuberculosis was 200.7 per 100,000. The majority of
the nation’s 600 tuberculosis hospitals and sanatoriums could
accommodate fewer than 200 patients each, or less than 5 % of those
afflicted.
In Minnesota alone, reported cases of
tuberculosis rose from 1,471 in 1890 to 1,864 in 1900, and 2,270 in
1910. The disease was endemic and treatment protocols were
extremely limited for the times. Antibiotics were not employed in
the treatment of this disease until the 1930’s.
In 1903, the state Legislature authorized the establishment of the
Minnesota Sanatorium for Consumptives Commission. This State Board
approved and appointed screening sites, sanatorium sites,
guidelines, facility equipment, on site x-ray equipment, physicians
and staff, encompassing nearly every county across the state of
Minnesota.
Goodhue County opened the Mineral Springs
Sanatorium in November of 1915 with 34 available beds.
The National Directory of Sanatoriums published
the following listing in 1916:
“CANNON FALLS , MINNESOTA
Mineral Springs Sanatorium — Goodhue County Sanatorium
(Nov. 2, 1915) : For all classes of cases; preference is given to
advanced.
Capacity: — 28, Rates: — ^Free to indigents of county; $7 per week
to
others. Patients from other counties pay $10 per week. Application
should be made to the superintendent. “
The campaign against tuberculosis had its beginnings late in the
nineteenth century chiefly in the last decade, and apart from
employing mineral waters, these new health resorts very closely
resembled the mineral spring hotels and “sanitariums” with which
people were already familiar. These sanatoriums were usually
located in an isolated area in the country, and depended chiefly
upon the fresh air and a plentiful supply of nourishing food. In
fact, fresh air and extra food, including milk and eggs, were
considered essentials, and apart from an after-dinner rest-hour and
early bed times, the patients were required to exercise vigorously
in the clean air, while exposing themselves to as much sunshine as
possible.
Partaking of the mineral waters for both bathing
and drinking was an essential step in the healing process. Salts of
silver and gold were also employed therapeutically.
People who were ailing had
few medical options in the nineteenth century and many took
holidays to seek restoration at mineral springs and mud baths.
“Taking the waters” was thought to correct iron deficiency as well
as other more serious ailments. With growing industrial pollution
in large cities, people felt better with a treatment of cool
mineral drinks followed by a sulfur mud bath. The forerunner of
spas, Minnesota’s abundant mineral springs attracted health-seekers
from around the country. Writer Henry David Thoreau, on doctor’s
orders, came to the state specifically to help cure his
tuberculosis in clean air and mineral springs.
The Geologic Formation of the Mineral Springs:
Numerous geologic processes operate either in isolation or
together to produce the diversity of springs that occur. In most
cases, no single process is responsible for the resultant landform,
but a dominant force, such as chemical, thermal or structural can
often be identified.
The most common chemical process in the formation of springs in
this region is “karstification”, which results from the dissolution
of carbonate rocks. Karst springs represent a natural exit for the
groundwater to the surface through the hydrologically active
fissures of the karst mass, and appear most commonly at the contact
of the carbonate mass and an impermeable boundary. The concept of
“the karst-hydrological contact” was first introduced in the
1930’s. The numerous point of seepage in the karst mass for the
infiltration of precipitation and the relatively few karst springs
were also noted.
With the increasing karst-hydrological activity, the catchment
of individual springs reach deeper and the more active efficient
ones are interconnected. In time, the smaller springs are gradually
eliminated. If springs are fed from the zone of saturation, the
discharge from the lower springs increases at the cost of the
higher ones. The faster the outflow causes the karst water level to
decline, and the flow from higher springs ceases.
One of the unique features of this spring is that it actually
originates from an elevated confined aquifer. Hydrological and
bedrock maps indicate the main body of the aquifer lies up the
bluff, at an elevation of 850’, between the layer of the Oneota
Dolomite and the Jordan Sandstone. The discharge site of the
springs is at an elevation of 760’. The elevation and the confining
layers of shale are the causes of the great discharge
pressure.
Another interesting aspect of the karst-hydrological contact is
that one stream entering the underground system frequently flows
out at numerous spring outlets at considerable distances from each
other.
** *(Please note the sudden change in water temperature as you
disembark at Miesville Ravine…).
The Mineral Waters:
The chemical composition of mineral waters is determined by the
composition of the rock it is abstracted from. Dependent on
geochemical processes, similar types of rock may lead to different
types of mineral water. Subsiding sedimentary basins are normally
filled with fossil marine waters of varying composition. During the
fossilization of these waters, the concentration of most component
increases with respect to the original composition.
Mineral water is water containing minerals or other dissolved
substances that alter its taste or give it therapeutic value.
Salts, sulfur compounds and gases are among the substances that can
be dissolved in the water. Mineral water can often be effervescent.
Mineral water can be prepared or can be obtained from naturally
occurring mineral springs.
Traditionally mineral waters would be used or consumed at their
source, often referred to as “taking the waters” or “taking the
cure”, and such sites were referred to as spas, baths or wells.
Each type of water possessed a therapeutic use to treat a variety
of maladies and afflictions.
The combination of the clean air and the therapeutic properties
of these Healing Waters prompted the establishment of the Mineral
Springs Sanatorium for the treatment of those afflicted with
tuberculosis.
This EarthCache is may be accessed via two
routes.
***The route of choice is via canoe or kayak
while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Cannon River. Thus, the 5
terrain rating.
***This EarthCache may also be accessed by the abandoned railroad
bed rustic trail on the NORTH bank of the Cannon River. This is a
public access grass trail, and may be accessed through the housing
development occupying the site of the old Mineral Springs
Sanatorium or at the edge of town in Cannon Falls.
Terrain is rated at 2.5 until you get to the
river’s edge, next to the remnants of the old sanatorium bathhouse,
then wading through shallow water is required to access the
EarthCache.
You will be walking through some very slimy muck to access this
point. Wear appropriate footwear.
LOGGING REQUIREMENTS
FOR THIS EARTHCACHE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Estimate the flow rate of the spring in gallons per
minute.
2. Describe what is surrounding the spring itself.
3. Bring a bottle and take home a sample of the water from this
spring and examine it for any sediment and inclusions. Then place
it in a white container and note if there is any color associated
with this water. Then smell the water and note if there is any
odors from this sample.
4. Post a photo and e-mail the above
answers. |
***Please make sure you double baggie any
electronics and fasten them securely to your watercraft.
***PLEASE NOTE THIS IS RATED AS A 5 TERRAIN
EARTHCACHE AND REQUIRES YOU TO BE ON OR IN A SHALLOW RIVER. IF YOU
ARE NOT “WATER-FRIENDLY”, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS CACHE. THE WATER
LEVELS AND CURRENT SPEED OF THE CANNON RIVER WILL VARY WITH SEASON
AND RAINFALL.
***APPROACHING THIS EARTHCACHE IS AT YOUR OWN
RISK. PRACTICE SAFETY FIRST!!!
*~* Digital re-mastery by EarthCache Master
Lostby7 *~*