GC2EBMM Bridgewater Town River Meander (Earthcache) in Massachusetts, United States created by pddebruin and 24

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Geocaching HQ Admin: It has now been more than 30 days since Geocaching HQ asked the owner of this EarthCache to post an Owner maintenance log to confirm they are actively monitoring the cache page.

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GC2EBMM ▼

A cache by pddebruin and 24_fan Message this owner

Hidden : 8/30/2010

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

Bridgewater Town River Meander

The entrance to this site is off of High Street in Bridgewater. Please respect the sunrise to sunset visiting hours. There is no physical container located at the cache coordinates. This is an earthcache where you will make some observations and answer some questions via email to earn credit for finding the cache. Please do not attempt to do this this earthcache if the area is experiencing flooding, often happening in late winter/early spring. Trails may be flooded out and inaccessible under these conditions. The stages for river development are generally divided into three distinct stages: Youthful, Mature and Old Age.

Youthful rivers have the following characteristics:

1. The channel is deeper than it is wide and V-shaped due to downcutting rather than lateral (side to side) erosion.

2. Its velocity is fast and strong and capable of moving all sediment sizes from ions to silts, clay and even boulders.

3. Steep sided cliffs flank the river.

4. A floodplain does not exist, and there are no grassy areas near the river.

5. Because of the fast moving water, rapids may be present.

6. Erosion is more prevalent than deposition.

Mature rivers have the following characteristics:

1. The river flows down a moderate slope.

2. The channel is U-shaped and wider than a youthful river, but deeper than an old age river. In general, the channel is broader with gentler slopes.

3. The velocity is greater than an old age river but less than a youthful one, and can carry all sediment sizes with the exception of boulders.

4. A floodplain exists with grassy areas alongside the river where a person can walk.

5. Meanders may be present but may not be as curvy as those found in old age rivers.

6. Erosion is present although deposition of sediment also occurs.

Old age rivers have these characteristics:

1. The river flows down a very gentle slope.

2. The channel is wider than it is deep with a very broad and U-shape, due to extensive side to side erosion.

3. The velocity of an old age river is generally very slow, and may carry silts and clay. Small sediments suspended in the slow-moving water may give the river a muddy appearance.

4. The general landscape around the river is flatter and less steeply sloped. If hilly areas exist, they are further away from the river channel and kept at a distance by a wide floodplain which flanks the river.

5. The old age river has a wide floodplain with grassy areas beside the river. The floodplain is often marshy and swampy due to flooding of the river valley.

6. Curvy S-shaped meanders are abundant and prominent features of an old age river.

Erosion in a river meander occurs on outside meander curves due to an increase in river velocity. Deposition of sediments occurs on outside meander curves due to an increase in river velocity.

The Logging Requirements For This Earthcache:

To log this earthcache please email me with your observations to the following questions, based on your visit to the site:

1. How fast does the current in the river appear to be moving (fast, slow, etc.)

2. Estimate how high up from the water you are when you are standing near the coordinates.

3. From your view of the river at this location, would you say that the river is Youthful, Mature or Old and why?

4. Is the side of the meander in the river where you are standing the side that is eroding or the side where sediment is being deposited?

5. What do you think will happen at this location as the river continues to age?

Please also feel free to post a photo of yourself and/or your team at the location, or simply a photo of the location. The sunsets in this area can be quite nice.