Basic Hydrology
The hydrology of an area is the cycle in which rain water and snow melt enter and exit a system. Today, the hydrology of most areas has been altered due to impervious surfaces and ditches.
The Hydrology of Flushing Township
Here in Flushing Township, most of the rain water ends up in the Flint River, usually carrying many pollutants with it. This can be seen in the image below.
The Hydrology of Flushing Township Nature Park
The hydrology of this nature park is natural and undisturbed. Rain that falls onto the prairie is slowly absorbed into the soil. The water flows underground on top of a thick layer until it meets the hillside, where the water seeps back out of the ground, creating a small stream.
These streams, or natural seeps, flow into the wetlands at the base of the hill. Here the water will either slowly continue to the river or be used by thousands of wetland plants. The end result is clean water entering the Flint River, purified by the soil and plants that thrive at the nature park.
Local Information
The posted coordinates will take you to an informational sign in Flushing Township Nature Park. Do not bushwhack from one end of the natural seep to the other. The environment in this area is very sensitive. Please use the trail to the north.
Logging Requirements
- Go to N 43° 07.357 W 083° 51.874. This is the point where the natural seep emerges from the hillside.
(A) Take an elevation reading here.
(B) What estimate would you make for the distance between the edge of the prairie and the beginning of the natural seep?
- Go to the posted coordinates. The natural seep flows through here as it draws near to the Flint River.
(A) Take an elevation reading here. What is the difference in elevation from the top of the natural seep to this point?
(B) Take a photo of you or your entire team with the Hydrology sign in the background. If you do not want to post your photo, you may post a picture of your GPS with the Hydrology sign in the background. *Photographs are optional per Earthcaching guidelines.*
To gain credit for this earthcache, post the picture from #2B. Also, email me through my profile with the answers to the questions from #1B and #2A. Both the picture and the email must be done within 48 hours of logging the cache as a find. Any logs not meeting the above criteria will be deleted.
This earthcache was developed with permission from Flushing Township Nature Park.
