Newsome Sinks Karst Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Newsome Sinks Karst Area |
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| Location | Morgan County, Alabama |
| Area | 9,925 acres (4,017 ha) NNL 1,700 acres (690 ha) |
| Designated: | November 1973 |
The Newsome Sinks Karst Area is a very special natural place in Morgan County, Alabama. It's a privately owned area known for its unique landforms called "karst." In November 1973, it was officially named a National Natural Landmark because of its importance.
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What is Newsome Sinks?
Newsome Sinks is a valley named after William Newsome, who settled there in 1838. This valley is about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and up to 0.75 miles (1.2 km) wide. The total karst area covers around 9,925 acres (4,017 ha).
A "karst" area is a type of landscape where the bedrock, usually limestone, has been dissolved by water. This creates cool features like caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers.
Caves and Geology
Newsome Sinks is home to more than forty caves. These caves stretch for almost 9.5 miles (15.3 km) underground. Some of them are as deep as 400 feet (120 m)!
The land here is part of the Cotaco Creek watershed. This means that all the rain and water in this area eventually flows into Cotaco Creek. The rock beneath the surface is called Bangor Limestone. This type of rock formed a very long time ago, during the Mississippian Period of Earth's history.
Amazing Animals and Plants
Newsome Sinks is a home for many different living things. There are over 15 rare species that live in this special area. These include unique animals and plants.
Some of the rare animals you might find are the Southern cavefish, which lives in dark caves. There are also two types of bats: the gray bat and the Indiana bat. Both of these bats are important for the ecosystem.
Rare plants also grow here, like the American Hart's-tongue fern. Another special plant is the Tennessee bladderfern. Protecting these species is a big reason why Newsome Sinks is so important.
A Look Back in Time: Newsome Sinks History
Newsome Sinks has an interesting history, especially during the American Civil War. During that time, people mined a substance called saltpeter from the caves. Saltpeter was a very important ingredient used to make gunpowder.
The Confederates also had a place where they processed animal hides to make leather. This was called a leather tanning operation. However, Union forces later destroyed this operation during the war.
