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Tag Archives: springs

We’re Just Two Weeks Away From Our Open House

Help us celebrate 160 years of service to Missourians

Join us for special presentations April 22-26, 2013Everyone is invited to attend our special Lunch and Learn presentations April 22-26, 2013, visit with staff, see special exhibits, and tour our Edward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Geology to learn about the contributions staff members have made to both the environmental and economic vitality of Missouri.

Register during the Open House to win a stay at Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.  Johnson’s Shut-ins State Park is a geologic jewel of the Missouri State Park System, a place with something for everyone.

You may also win four passes to tour Onondaga Cave, in Onondaga Cave State Park.  Onondaga Cave is one of America’s most spectacular, with 1.5 miles of passages decorated with towering stalagmites, dripping stalactites, active flowstones, grotto salamanders and more.

Our museum is located in the Buehler Building, 111 Fairgrounds Road, Rolla.  Self-guided tours are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Lunch and Learn presentations will be held from 12:15-12:45 p.m. in the adjacent Annex Building.  Pack a lunch and join us!  Admission to the museum and presentations is free of charge.  Parking is available in front and back of both buildings.  Check our website for the schedule for presentations and read more about us.

Posted on Apr 09, 2013

Missouri Caves & Karst Conservancy makes great strides in cleaning up Goodwin Pit

Practice proper disposal of wastes

Lancaster Spring, also known as Goodwin Pit.

Illegal dumping at Goodwin Pit, also known as Lancaster Sink. DNR photo by Jim Vandike.

There are numerous reasons to recycle materials and properly dispose of wastes and keeping trash out of our rivers and streams is certainly one.  However making the connection between putting trash in a sinkhole and impacting the water quality of a special resource that many Missourians enjoy is not one that easily comes to mind.  Enter Goodwin Pit.

Illegal Dumping at Goodwin Pit, also known as Lancaster Sink. DNR photo by Sherri Stoner

Goodwin Pit, also known as Lanscaster Sink and located in Laclede County, has been used as an illicit dumping site for more than 50 years.  The subject of a groundwater investigation by the Division of Geology and Land Survey, water traces using non-toxic fluorescent dye, have shown that the surface water that seeps through the trash in the sink emerges at Ha Ha Tonka Spring, flowing into Lake of the Ozarks.

Recently, the Missouri Caves and Karst Conservancy (MCKC) has made great strides in cleaning up Goodwin Pit.  MCKC, working with other groups and volunteers have collected 25,860 lbs. of trash, 7.38+ tons of tires and 2500+ lbs. of metal, which was picked up for recycling, since the beginning of the project.  The site is starting to look much better, but a good deal of work remains.  This effort to clean up Goodwin Pit improves not only the landscape but will greatly improve the water quality of the karst system as well.

Goodwin Sink

Cleanup is ongoing, thanks to the Missouri Caves & Karst Conservancy. Missouri Caves & Karst Conservancy photo.

Learn more about MCKC and see more photos.  Upcoming workdays at Goodwin Pit are Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 and Saturday and Sunday, Nov, 3 and 4, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on Oct 10, 2012

Publication of the Month – Springs of Missouri

Books make good gifts

Springs of Missouri Missouri is blessed with an abundance of springs that have played a major role in the settlement and development of the state.  Loaded with information about springs, this 267 page book is an excellent guide to all the major springs in the Missouri Ozarks and it is clearly written for all audiences.  This book is filled with wonderful photos, illustrations and maps and is a bargain at only $15. Tax and shipping are extra.  Order online from the Missouri Geology Store.  –Joe

 

 

 

Posted on Apr 06, 2012

Springs of Missouri — Hodgson Mill Spring

Hodgson Mill Spring

Hodgson Mill Spring is the site is one of Missouri’s most photogenic mills.  Its picture has appeared on postcards sold throughout the state for decades and has been used to promote tourism in the Missouri Ozarks.  The mill was first constructed in 1861 and was subsequently rebuilt after being destroyed by fired.  The spring and mill are on Highway 181 in Ozark County.

The spring outlet cannot be easily seen because the mill was built over it.  The opening is a join in the dolomite and sandstone enlarged by solution and is situated at the base of a high bluff.  After leaving the outlet, the water enters a circular pool in front of the mill and passes over a dam and into the spring branch.  About 600 feet down the branch, the stream enters Bryant Creek.   Mill Spring flows about 20 to 28 million gallons of water daily and is one of Missouri’s largest springs.

This photo is just one of 60 cards in our third series of four Natural Resources Trading Card sets.  The cards are popular with all ages.  See the Missouri Geology Store for more information about these and other educational cards.  –Joe

Posted on Aug 08, 2011