Modoc Wetlands Earthcache EarthCache
Modoc Wetlands Earthcache
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The Modoc Wildlife Refuge extends south and west of this public viewing area just south of rural Alturus, CA. Why not fulfill the pletoria of challenge caches that need a smiley in this remote location with an earthcache?
Geologically:
The wetlands are maintained by Pit River's SLOW elevation drop through this valley. The valley was initially formed by plate tectonic action. Volcanic and sedimentary rocks partially filled the basin that surrounds you, as a portion of this plate moved northwest along the fault that is visible in the "bump up" of the Warner Mountains to the east (most geologists think that the Warner Mountains are the raised side of that fault action, especially since the rocks visible in the mountains exhibit characteristics of rocks forming below the earth surface, then being exposed thanks to converging action). Thus, the valley is a young sedimentary created and maintained valley. This geologic action created a series of snowmelt creeks that flow together into the Pit River, which flows through this valley. They supply water to two watersheds, Pine Creek and Badger Creek basins, both of which eventually feed into the Sacramento River and eventually into the San Francisco Bay.
The Wetlands:
The wetlands you are looking at comprise over 7,000 acres of habitat refuge on the edge of the desert, providing valuable homeland and migratory resting areas for at least 76 species of wildlife.
Wetland habitats are among the most productive habitats in the world for supporting a high quantity of fish, wildlife and even humans. They are responsible for purifying polluted water, they check the damage of floods (thus saving downstream from excess sedimentation), and they recharge ground water, and provide recreational activities for responsible human visitors. The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge that is visible to the west and south is a CalTrans project to responsibly "give back" to the habitat of California. This is important, since if the sources of the larger River systems, such as the Sacramento River are polluted at their source then the pollutant quantity by the time it reach the rivers is toxic! Thus, having these valuable wetland habitats to filter, refresh, and purify the water before it heads down to the Sacramento River is important to millions of humans as well as coutless animals that live in these high-population areas!
Logging Requirements:
Send the answers to #1-#5 to me through my geocaching profile.
1. List the name "GC1YH3V Modoc Wetlands Earthcache" in the first line of your email. Also, list the number of people in your group.
2. From the viewing platform, take an elevation reading, and include that result in your email
3. Based on the information panels, is the Dorris Reservoir a positive factor in the geology and habitat of this area?
4. How is the sedimentation behind the Dorris Reservoir affecting the habitat of the Marshland?
5. If the refuge did not exist, what do you imagine would be different about the area around you?
6. Think ecologically, geologically, as well as in regards to likely human-impact. What might be the impact to people and animals living in the Sacramento River Valley?
7. (Per current gc.com guidelines, photos are no longer allowed to be required. HOWEVER they are encouraged, since they can help clarify that you have visited the location if your other logging requirement answers are vague). Post a picture of yourself and your GPS with your log that shows the viewing platform and refuge behind you. DO NOT show any of the pertinent information panels in your picture or your log may be deleted.
I will only respond if you have incomplete logging requirements. Go ahead and log your cache
Resources:
Information Panels at this pull-off
Wikipedia.org "Wetlands" and "Warner Mountains"
Roadside Geology of Northern and Central California. ISBN 0-87842-409-1. Mountain Press Publishing Association.
Additional Hints
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