Cold Water Spring State Preserve facts for kids
Cold Water Spring State Preserve is a special natural area. It covers about 60 acres (24 hectares) in both Winneshiek County, Iowa and Fillmore County, Minnesota. This preserve protects a unique spring that flows out from a huge underground system called Cold Water Cave. The water from this spring eventually joins the Upper Iowa River.
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Discovering Cold Water Cave
Cold Water Cave is an amazing underground world. It's one of the longest caves in the Midwest!
What Makes Cold Water Cave Special?
Inside Cold Water Cave, you'll find a large underground creek. This creek winds its way through nearly 16 miles (26 kilometers) of passages. Imagine exploring tunnels that stretch for so long!
Unique Features of the Cave
This cave system has some very interesting qualities. For example, it grows faster than most other caves. It also has less oxygen and more carbon dioxide in its air than usual. These conditions make it a unique place for scientists to study.
A National Natural Landmark
Because of its special features, Cold Water Cave was named a National Natural Landmark in 1987. This means it's recognized as one of the most important natural areas in the United States. It's protected by the National Park Service.
How to Visit (or Not!)
It's important to know that Cold Water Cave has two entrances. However, both of these entrances are on private property. This means the cave is not open to the public for visits. It helps keep this special natural wonder safe and undisturbed.
The Amazing Driftless Area
Cold Water Cave is located in a unique part of the United States called the Driftless Area. This region covers parts of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. It's called "Driftless" because glaciers did not flatten it during the last Ice Age. Instead, they went around it!
What is Karst Topography?
The Driftless Area is known for its special landscape called karst topography. This type of land is formed when water dissolves soft rocks like limestone underground. In karst areas, you can find many cool features like:
- Disappearing streams: Rivers that vanish into the ground.
- Blind valleys: Valleys that end suddenly without an outlet.
- Sinkholes: Holes in the ground where the surface has collapsed.
- Caves: Like Cold Water Cave!
- Cold springs and streams: Water that comes out of the ground at a cool temperature.
All these features are present around Cold Water Spring State Preserve, making it a perfect example of a karst landscape.
