MISSOURIresources

Fall 2013 • Volume 30 • Number 3

On behalf of our staff, I’d like tothank our colleagues within the Divi-sion of Energy and Land Survey Pro-gram for their past service and dedica-tion to this agency and the citizens ofMissouri. The staff of the Missouri De-partment of Natural Resources wishesthem continued success in the future.

The Department of Natural Re-sources has experienced many

new challenges, transformations andopportunities since we were first cre-ated in 1974. Through it all, the de-partment has worked to enhance thequality of life for all Missourians andprotection of our natural, culturaland energy resources. The most recentchange came at the end of Augustwhen our agency said farewell to theDivision of Energy and the Land Sur-vey Program as their responsibilitiesand staff transition to different stategovernment agencies.

The Missouri Energy Council wascreated in July 1973 to provide adviceand guidance on state energy issues.The council served as an advisorybody to the Missouri Energy Agency,which was created within the Depart-ment of Natural Resources in January1975. Today, the Division of Energymonitors energy supplies, promotesenergy efficiency and advances theuse of Missouri indigenous energy re-sources to realize environmental andeconomic benefits through variousinitiatives and programs.

The Division of Energy has nowtransferred to the Department of Eco-nomic Development. This new and ex-citing opportunity for the division willhelp Missouri become an evenstronger leader in energy production,innovation and promoting the wise

and efficient use ofour energy re-sources. By capi-talizing on boththe Division of En-ergy’s and the Department ofEconomic Development’sstrengths, they willpromote the devel-opment of afford-able, secure anddiverse energysources that willpower our econo-my and create jobsfor Missourians.

The Land Survey Program joinedthe department in 1974 during the re-organization of state government. Theprogram protects the 250,000 cornermonuments that form the basis of landownership in Missouri, and maintainsthe Land Survey Repository. Therepository contains approximately 1.8million land survey records and geo-detic survey data, which represent thebasis for all land titles in the state.

The Land Survey Program andLand Survey Commission now residewithin the Department of Agriculturewhere they will continue to develop andprovide information required for theaccurate location and documentationof property boundaries in Missouri.

director’s

Sara Parker PauleyMissouri Department of Natural Resources

State of Missouri, Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon

Department Director Sara Parker Pauley

Deputy Director, Policy; General Counsel Harry Bozoian

Director, Division of Administrative Support Lori Gordon

Director, Division of Environmental Quality Leanne Tippett Mosby

Director, Division of State Parks Bill Bryan

Director, Missouri Geological Survey Joe Gillman

Director, Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority Karen Massey

printed on recycled paper

EditorStuart Westmoreland

Design DirectorBelinda Hughes

PhotographerScott Myers

Public Information CoordinatorAndrew Richmond

CirculationLuke PetreeNicci Bouse

Editorial BoardLarry ArcherAndrea BalkenbushHylan BeydlerRenee BungartSteph DeidrickStuart Westmoreland

MISSOURI RESOURCES is published quarterly by the MissouriDepartment of Natural Resources to inform readers about important natu-ral resource issues and how they are being addressed. Any correspon-dence should be directed to the editor at the Department of NaturalResources, Publications, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176, or call 800-361-4827. Email address: moresdnr@dnr.mo.gov MoDNR home page: dnr.mo.govTo subscribe or unsubscribe online:dnr.mo.gov/magazine/subscription.htm

MISSOURI RESOURCES is available in alternative formats.

The Department of Natural Resources does not discriminate against any-one on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disabili-ty, sexual orientation or veteran status.

If anyone believes he or she has been subjected to discrimination for anyof these reasons, he or she may file a complaint with either theDepartment of Natural Resources or the Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S.Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., 20240.

Missouri Resources is printed with soy ink on recycled paper at Walsworth Publishing Co., Marceline, Mo.

Mission StatementThe mission of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources

is to protect, preserve and enhance Missouri’s natural, cultural and energy resources.

Fall 2013Volume 30 • Number 3

Above: The Clifty Hollow Natural Bridge in Maries County is one of Missouri’s most picturesque geologic wonders. Cover: Fall trees glow in the afternoon sun along the Island Trail in Ha Ha Tonka State Park.DNR photos by Scott Myers.

departments16 Resources to Explore 19 News Briefs 25 One Last Word

2 Playground With a Pastby Larry Archer

Growing up in rural Laclede County, one youngster had his own special play area – the family sinkhole.

6 The Sunny Side of the Streetby Angie Morfeld

Missouri University of Science and Technology takes the biennial Solar Decathlon seriously. Meet Missouri S&T’s Solar Village.

10 Arches, Bridges and Tunnelsby Joe Gillman

Our state’s diverse geology leaves us open to a crime that is impossible to prosecute. Stream piracy – it’s almost everywhere.

14 Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles Challengeby Tom Uhlenbrock

You don’t have to use Missouri’s state parks to log your miles in the Governor’s 100 Missouri Mile Challenge. But if you do, nearly 1,000 miles of scenic trails await you. Whether we hike, pedal, saddle up or paddle – let’s get going!

L ocated on a small portion of the Goodwin family’s 200-plus acre farm innorthern Laclede County, the sinkhole offered adventure unlike any tireswing or sandbox.

“It was a kid’s playground,” said Goodwin. He soon learned that, unlike most playgrounds, this one had a past. An elderly

neighbor provided him with history lessons found in no textbook he had encoun-tered in school.“When I was a little kid I would sit at her feet and she’d tell stories,” he said.During the Civil War, she would tell him, area residents would take shelter in the

cave into which the sinkhole drains in order to avoid the violence that was the Bor-der War between Missouri and Kansas. His parents purchased the property that in-cluded the sinkhole in 1954.“When they first bought the farm, the old-timers said (the cave) went back about

a quarter mile,” he said. “When Mom and Dad bought it, they said they could walkquite a ways in there.”As he was growing up, entry to the cave was prevented as its historic legacy fell

victim to a new legacy – illegal dumping.Its proximity to Lancaster Road – some sources even refer to the site as the Lan-

caster Road Sinkhole – made illegal dumping convenient, and the sinkhole and thecave became congested with trash after decades of such abuse.“My mom always tried to get the dumping stopped and she never could,” Good-

win said.Facing similar frustration, Goodwin reached out to Klaus Leidenfrost of the

Missouri Cave & Karst Conservancy, a land trust organized to conserve caves andkarst areas in Missouri. Karst areas are known for their caves, springs, sinkholes

by Larry Archer

Most children growing up in the 1960s felt fortunate if theycould spend their backyard playtime swinging on a swing set,

digging in a sand box or hiding in a tree house. As a child growing up in rural Laclede County, Doug Goodwin had his

own special play area – the family sinkhole.

More than nine tons of tires have been pulled from the Goodwin Sinkhole since cleanup began in 2012. DNR photo by Jim Vandike

2 Missouri Resources

Fall 2013 3

and losing streams caused by the dissolu-tion of subsurface dolomite and limestoneover time. The conservancy frequently pur-chases threatened caves and karst areas, as-sists landowners with preservation, edu-cates Missourians on cave and karst issues,and, when necessary, coordinates thecleanup of sites like Goodwin Sinkhole.“Klaus showed me pictures of things

they had done before,” Goodwin said. Theprospect of seeing the site returned to itsnatural state prompted Goodwin to donatethe roughly one-acre site to the conservancyand allow access to it via his property.In his initial visits to the site, Leidenfrost

described it as being identical to a regularlandfill, with clothes, car parts, householdwaste and tires. Lots of tires.“I counted 400 or 500 tires just on the

surface,” he said.The conservancy’s cleanup of the site

began in early 2012, and according to the

(Above left) Soldiers fromFort Leonard Wood areamong the many volunteerswho have contributed hun-dreds of hours to thecleanup efforts. Klaus Leidenfrost photo

(Above right) Stormwaterrunoff flowing through theaccumulated trash in Good-win Sinkhole represents athreat to groundwater quali-ty in the area. Dye tracing atthe site has confirmed thatwater flowing into the sink-hole eventually makes itsway to nearby HahatonkaSpring in Camden County.DNR photo by Jim Vandike

organization, by the end of the year volun-teers had cleared an estimated 43,760pounds of trash, more than 9 tons of tiresand more than 2,500 pounds of metal.To facilitate the removal of the surface

trash, the department’s Solid Waste Man-agement Program arranged, through a set-tlement case with a landfill company, forthe use of roll-off dumpsters and the waiv-ing of hauling and disposal fees for thetrash. Through its scrap tire unit, the pro-gram also made sure tires removed from thesite were properly disposed.The effort took more than just conser-

vancy members and those with a direct in-terest in cave preservation. The breadth ofinvolvement – from volunteers to stateagencies to equipment operators who donat-ed or discounted their services – has set thisproject apart from previous sinkholecleanups that Leidenfrost has coordinated. “Some of them are cavers,” he said.

(Left) Klaus Leiden-frost of the Mis-souri Cave & KarstConservancystands atop someof the hundreds oftires that have been removed fromthe sinkhole since 2012.DNR photo by Sherri Stone

(Above) Volunteers haveworked through the heatof summer and the cold

of winter in their attempt to bring the sinkhole back to its original condition.

(Right) A relay line ofvolunteers forms to

move materials out of the mouth of the cave

into which the sinkhole drains.

(Bottom) Heavy equip-ment is used to removetrash buried by years

of silt build-up.Klaus Leidenfrost photos

4 Missouri Resources

“We’ve had Boy Scouts, teachers, soldiersfrom Fort Wood. It’s a mish mash.”Instrumental in this army of volunteers

has been the U.S. Army, he said. “Ourbiggest help lately has been Fort LeonardWood. We could not do it without them.”In 2012, the first year of the conservan-

cy’s efforts at the site, all of the trash abovethe ground was removed. Still, decades of siltand soil accumulation has buried an unknownamount of additional trash underground.

“Some places we’ve dug down 15 feetand we’re still finding trash,” he said.The Department of Natural Resources’

Environmental Services Program used a hy-draulic soil probe to help establish howdeep the trash went. The results showed thesinkhole was filled with soil, gravel andtrash to depths of more than 30 feet.

According to Leidenfrost, the focus ofwork in 2013 has been on the buried

trash and opening the cave, but spring rainshave slowed work, frequently washing sedi-ment back into previously excavated areas.“When we get a lot of rain it can change

everything,” he said. “Sometimes the workis undoing what happened since the lasttime you were there.”Because of the difficulty – and danger –

of working in the summer heat, the conser-

vancy took a hiatus from scheduledcleanups during the summer with the inten-tion of resuming the project this fall. In themeantime, Leidenfrost has been working onthe effort’s biggest challenge – finding ad-ditional support for the project.“It all boils down to dollars,” he said.

“There’s so much material there.”An additional challenge to returning the

site to its original condition is the lack ofinformation about the area as it appeared inits original state. “Nobody knows what it looked like be-

fore,” Leidenfrost said. “No one can findany photos of it before the dumping.”The sinkhole had become more than just

a trash-laden eyesore. It was a threat tolocal groundwater and to one of Missouri’slargest springs, Hahatonka Spring. This beau-tiful spring, located in Ha Ha Tonka StatePark in neighboring Camden County, dis-charges 50 million gallons of water daily intothe Niangua Arm of the Lake of the Ozarks,making it the state’s 12th largest spring.

S tormwater runoff from nearly 100 sur-rounding acres drains into Goodwin

Sinkhole. Dye tracing conducted by the De-partment of Natural Resources’ GeologicalSurvey Program in 1980 established thatdrainage into the sinkhole flows directly toHahatonka Spring, which is approximately11 miles northwest of the depression. For decades, that stormwater runoff fil-

tered through the pollutants found in thesinkhole before the then-contaminatedgroundwater headed to the spring. A similar

Create a Sinkhole MapStaff geologists provide assistance to

citizens by evaluating the causes and

impacts of sinkhole formation and

collapse. They also maintain a database

of sinkholes that are documented or are

found on U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps. You can

create a map showing known sinkholes and learn more about

sinkhole formation and mitigation –

go to dnr.mo.gov/geology/geosrv/envgeo/sinkholes.htm.

Environmental specialistsfrom the Department ofNatural Resources’ Envi-ronmental Services Pro-gram were able to deter-mine the depth of the trashin the sinkhole by takingsamples with a hydraulicsoil probe.DNR photo by Scott Myers

dye trace in 2009 confirmed that thedrainage to the spring had not changed.In all, the trash in the sinkhole represent-

ed a multi-media environmental concern,involving solid waste, water pollution andimpairment of the ability of HahatonkaSpring to recharge.“It was a combination of a solid waste

dump; obstruction of a natural sinkhole andkarst feature by trash, soil and gravel; andinhibition of the recharge,” according toTim Rielly, restoration and assessment man-ager with the department’s natural resourcedamages unit. “It had all the effects of asmall-scale landfill.”The department’s Water Pollution Pro-

gram also awarded a $10,000 grant to theMeramec Regional Planning Commission,which used the money to aid in the cleanup.The fund from which the grant was given isdedicated to addressing water pollution re-lated to stormwater runoff.More than the spring is at risk to pollu-

tion entering the groundwater throughGoodwin Sinkhole and other karst featureslike it, Goodwin noted. Drinking waterwells located in a wide radius of pollutionare also a concern, he said.“We learned a long time ago that we

drink whatever we dump,” he said.Find out more about the Missouri Caves

& Karst Conservancy atmocavesandkarst.org/.

Larry Archer is the division information offi-cer for the department’s Division of Environ-mental Quality.

Iarrived at the Solar Village – a collec-tion of four small homes situated on theoutskirts of the Missouri University of

Science and Technology (Missouri S&T)campus in Rolla – on a stormy Tuesdaymorning in May. The storm was of the typi-cal late spring variety, cloudy with bursts ofheavy rain and a little lightning and thundermixed in for good measure. But walkinginto the homes on this unique piece of realestate, you wouldn’t have known there wasa cloud in the sky. Inside the homes, thepower of the sun was in full effect. That is because all four homes are com-

pletely powered by the energy of the sun.Each home was designed and constructed

over the past decade by the Missouri S&T

Solar House Team, composed of undergrad-uate students, in order to compete in theSolar Decathlon. The biennial event is acollegiate competition sponsored by theU.S. Department of Energy (DOE).“This area is literally one of a kind,” said

Emily Vandivert, project manager for the2013 Solar House Team. “Missouri S&T isthe only university in the world with a com-munity of student-designed-and-constructedsolar homes.”The Solar Decathlon challenges each

college team to design, fund, build and op-erate solar-powered houses that are cost-ef-fective, energy-efficient and attractive. Thecompeting teams spend nearly two yearscreating their homes.

An aerial view of Solar Village, located on the Missouri S&T campus,

showcases homes built inprevious Solar Decathloncompetitions. Clockwise,starting from front center,the 2007 home, the 2009home, the 2002 home and the 2005 home.

6 Missouri Resources

by Angie Morfeld

Bob Phelan/ Missouri University of Science & Technology photo

Fall 2013 7

“The challenge is to not only design andconstruct a sustainable, net-zero solarhouse, but to market it as a viable residen-tial option,” Vandivert said. “It has to be ap-pealing to those in the market for a home.”

Getting InJust getting into the decathlon is no easy

feat, Vandivert says. Colleges, universitiesand other post-secondary educational insti-tutions worldwide are invited to submit pro-posals for the competition. Each proposal isreviewed, scored and ranked by representa-tives of DOE and the National RenewableEnergy Laboratory. Only 20 schools are se-lected to participate.Missouri S&T’s Solar House Team com-

peted in the 2002, 2005, 2007 and 2009Solar Decathlons, building an 800-square-foot home in each of those competitionyears. The Solar Village showcases theproducts of those competitions. “We narrowly missed the 2011 competi-

tion,” Vandivert said. “We were selected asnumber 21, or first runner-up.”The team is currently preparing for the

2013 competition, their fifth, scheduled forOct. 3-13 at Orange County Great Park inIrvine, Calif. Missouri S&T is the onlyschool to have been accepted into five of sixSolar Decathlons. This year’s project is known as the

Chameleon House, a 1,000-square-footadaptable living environment. The squarefootage requirement was increased from800 to 1,000 during the 2011 competition.“Much like a chameleon, the home will

feature several innovative aspects that cantransform to suit the needs of the occupant,”Vandivert said. One such innovation is an advanced,

Web-connected automation system that pro-vides an unprecedented level of controlover the living space. A similar prototypeautomation system was used in the 2009house, but with technological advance-ments, the size and price of the systembeing used for the 2013 solar house havedropped tremendously.“Whereas the price of the system in 2009

was about $20,000, the price for the systemin the Chameleon House is an affordable$1,400,” Vandivert said. “And it doesn’t re-quire as much wiring and wall space. The2013 system is comparable to the size of apack of gum.” That reduction in price for the system is

a bonus for the team. An affordability com- DNR photo by Scott Myers

DNR photo by Scott Myers

(Left) The mechanicalsystems of the homebuilt for the 2009 competition are locatedin the basement. Technological advance-ments since then havecaused tremendousdrops in both the priceand size of these systems.(Bottom) An interior viewof the competition homebuilt in 2005. This designwas based on FrankLloyd Wright's style of architecture and theGolden Ratio.

ponent also was added to the competition in2011 – all teams must stay at or below$250,000 in construction costs.

Preparing for the ContestThere is a lot of work leading up to the

competition, including fundraising. Quali-fying teams must raise money to cover con-struction and expenses. Each selected teamreceives $100,000 from the U.S. Depart-ment of Energy. The rest of the money israised through donations, special events andgrants, such as an $8,000 grant from theMissouri Department of Natural Resources’

Division of Energy. The division recentlywas reassigned to the Missouri Departmentof Economic Development.“We have to get creative with our

fundraising,” Vandivert said. “We have awinning team of students, advisers andsponsors, but experience has taught us thatwe can never have enough help. The greatthings we do would not be possible withoutdonations from generous people.”When the funds start coming in, the con-

struction can start. The team must fully con-struct their home on campus prior to thecontest. Then just before the start of the de-cathlon, the house is meticulously disas-sembled into large pieces, put on trucks andtransported to the event site. The team thenhas nine days to reassemble it.“Once we get to the competition, we are

working at break-neck speed to get thehouse back up and in working order,” Van-divert said. “After it is reassembled, it staysup for judging and public exhibition over atwo-weekend period.” The team then has only five days to dis-

assemble it, at which time it is shipped backto its permanent home on the Missouri S&Tcampus. That is how Solar Village wasborn, and how it grows. Once reconstructedon campus, the homes not only serve ascampus housing, but help educate the publicand provide research opportunities.

8 Missouri Resources

(Top) With four homes, the team has outgrown the available space at Solar Village, so Chameleon House will be installed in a new,

renewable-energy space on campus after the 2013 competition.(Above) A close-up of a solar panel from a home in the Solar Village.

DNR photo by Scott Myers

Bob Phelan/ Missouri University of Science & Technology photo

Vandivert says the team sees their workand the competition as a way to showcaseand help market solar energy, what it is andwhat it can do.

Into the FutureFuture plans for the Solar Village include

installing a microgrid, which will tie the ex-isting four solar homes together in order toshare power. It’s another step forward insustainability, according to Vandivert.“If one home doesn’t have enough

power, but the neighboring house has extra,it can pull from the microgrid and continuerunning as normal,” Vandivert added.The team has outgrown the available

space in the Solar Village, so once the 2013competition is over, the university plans toallow space for the Chameleon House in arenewable-energy site being developed oncampus. The new location is known as theE3 Commons.“The competitors are extraordinarily ex-

cited to see the Chameleon House transitionfrom blueprints and specifications into anactual building,” Vandivert said.The group completed its first-round as-

sembly of the home in August, which wasmarked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony onthe Missouri S&T campus.Now, it’s on to California.For more information about the Solar

Village or the Solar House Team, visit expe-riencethis.mst.edu or solarhouse.mst.edu.For a virtual walk-through of theChameleon House, visit youtube.com/watch?v=udLvgUwcHCs.

Angie Morfeld is a public information coordinator for the Missouri Department ofEconomic Development’s Division of Energy. The division was transferred fromthe Department of Natural Resources to theDepartment of Economic Development inAugust 2013.

Fall 2013 9

Categories of CompetitionMuch like the Olympic decathlon,

the Solar Decathlon consists of 10 contests:

(Top) Emily Vandivert and Chris Bowe stand in-side the Chameleon House. Emily and Chrisare members of the Solar Decathlon team forMissouri S&T, and will compete in the de-cathlon in the fall of 2013.(Right) The Chameleon House is currentlybeing built on the Missouri S&T campus. Oncecompleted, it will be dismantled and shippedto California to compete in the U.S. Departmentof Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2013 in fall 2013.DNR photo by Scott Myers

Each contest is worth a maximum of 100 points, for a competition total of1,000 points. The winning team produces a house that is affordable, attractive and easy to live in; maintains comfortable and healthy indoor environmental conditions; supplies energy to household appliances forcooking, cleaning and entertainment; provides adequate hot water; andproduces as much or more energy than it consumes.

•Architecture

•Market Appeal

• Engineering

•Communications

•Affordability

•Comfort Zone

•Hot Water

•Appliances

•Home Entertainment

• Energy Balance

DNR photo by Scott Myers

10 Missouri Resources

Images of the yellow-red sandstones of the Amer-ican West with their majestic spans likely cometo mind when many Missourians think of a natu-

ral bridge or rock arch. Yet, Missouri has more than85 documented natural arches, bridges and tunnels.While most do not adorn postcards or serve as thebackdrop for movies, they do represent some verystriking geology. The state has a diverse and complex geologic

makeup and the karst geology that dominates theOzarks region is well known. Karst areas are under-lain by weathered, soluble rocks such as limestone,dolomite and sandstone. While not all naturalbridges form in the Ozarks, these karst conditionsare the perfect environment for natural bridges totake shape in the state’s abundant bedrock that con-sists of these materials. Natural arches, bridges and

Arches, Bridges and Tunnelsby Joe Gillman photographs by Scott Myers

Nature’s Great Construction Projects

tunnels have been created as a result of stream pira-cy, collapsed caves or rock slices.

Like a Thief in the Night – Stream PiracyMissouri’s natural arches, bridges and tunnels

come in many sizes, shapes, heights and widths. Notwo are alike. Some are large. Some are small.Some stand as sentinels of the landscape while oth-ers are neatly tucked into the contours of the groundand may go unnoticed. Often, these features areformed by complex geologic processes. Theseprocesses include stream capture by an adjoiningdrainage system. Each can result in the formation ofa natural arch, tunnel or bridge. Further erosion andweathering can then sculpt these features into im-pressive monuments of the geologic record.“Stream piracy is a geologic process where a sur-

face stream is captured or ‘pirated’ by another, adja-cent drainage feature,” said Carey Bridges, directorof the department’s Geological Survey Program.“This capture essentially is a case of one stream tak-ing a shortcut into another stream through a smallcave or fracture in the rock. Through time, this nat-ural opening is enlarged and the entire stream isrerouted through the cave, leaving behind a naturalbridge,” Bridges added. An outstanding example is Clifty Hollow Natural

Bridge in Maries County. This natural bridge, firstdescribed by the Missouri Geological Survey in1857, is located within the Missouri Department ofConservation’s Clifty Creek Natural Area. The

bridge is developing where a small tributary toClifty Creek penetrates a narrow rock ridge, com-posed of Gasconade dolomite – a rock unit from theOrdovician time period between 500 and 444 mil-lion years ago – and flows into Clifty Creek. Thetributary once traversed the length of the ridge andnow runs along its base. Today, it flows directlythrough a large opening beneath the ridge, therebycreating the natural bridge. The arch spans approxi-mately 40 feet and is 13 feet high with a pictur-esque, serene setting.

That Sinking Feeling – Collapsed CavesMissouri is world-renowned for its many spec-

tacular caves. These caves exhibit distinctive sub-surface environments and often add a variety ofother interesting geologic features. Collapsed cavesystems sometimes aid in the formation of Mis-souri’s natural stone bridges. “This process involves a mature cave system that

becomes partly destroyed by erosion and weather-ing. The natural bridge or natural tunnel formswhen adjacent parts of the cave collapse and leavebehind what is known as a cave remnant,” Bridgessaid. “This preserved remnant then becomes the nat-ural tunnel or natural bridge.”Grand Gulf State Park in Oregon County has a

textbook example of this geologic wonder withinwhat is quite possibly Missouri’s most impressivekarst complex and collapsed cave system. Geolo-gists determined the location and orientation of the

Fall 2013 11

(Above) Clifty Hollow Natural Bridge, in Maries County, is 40 feet high and 25 to 30 feet wide. The arch has a spanof 40 feet, and is 13 feet high.(Opposite page, top) Kaintuck Hollow Natural Tunnel, in Phelps County near Rolla, lies within Mark Twain NationalForest. A small spring on the upstream end of the tunnel keeps the tunnel floor wet in a few places. When the tun-nel was named, “Kaintuck” was local dialect for “Kentucky.”(Opposite page, bottom) The 175-foot-long Kaintuck Hollow Natural Tunnel was formed when a cave system col-lapsed, leaving part of the cave roof intact.

County, Hahatonka Natural Bridge in Cam-den County, and Bennett Spring NaturalTunnel in Laclede County.

A Slice in Time – Rock SlicesRock slices are another way in which

arches form and are commonly found im-mediately adjacent and parallel to a rockwall or bluff. “These arches owe their formation to

fractures that are oriented parallel to thebluff face,” Bridges said. “The fractures be-come enlarged through time and subse-quently, part of the rock wall isolates itselffrom the main wall along this fracture.Through additional weathering and erosion,a slice-type arch can form.” Many of these arches have the classic

arched appearance and can be quite impres-sive in size and prominence. The Hooten-town Natural Arch in Stone County containsfour geologic formations from base to crestthat include (listed oldest to youngest): theNorthview shale, the Pierson limestone, theReeds Spring limestone, and the Elsey lime-stone. These rock units are from the Missis-sippian time period between 345 and 320million years ago. This arch is quite likelythe largest natural arch in Missouri. It rises80 feet from base to crest with a span of 80feet. Paddy Creek Natural Arch in TexasCounty and the Devils Tables Natural Arch-es in Laclede County are examples of slice-type arches that formed adjacent to steeprock bluffs.Missouri’s natural arches, bridges and

tunnels also have a storied history. NaturalBridge Road in St. Louis was so named be-cause the original road, which was plannedin the 1840s, passed over a natural rockarch under which Rocky Branch Creek onceflowed. The rock bridge, which has longsuccumbed to the pressures of urbanization,was reportedly located near the current inter-section of 23rd and Palm streets, and stood ashort distance from the man-made arch thatnow towers over the St. Louis skyline.Natural arches also have been used as

landmarks. Early travelers were well awareof the river landmark Roche Percee –French for “pierced rock” – Natural Archlocated high atop a bluff near the PercheCreek and Missouri River confluence. Thisfeature was first documented by Scottishexplorers in the 1790s and later noted inLewis and Clark’s journals documentingtheir voyage up the Missouri River. Visitorswho journey along Katy Trail State Park in

Fall 2013 13

this region can stillbehold this signifi-cant geologic feature.Not to be outdone byhistorical importance,local legend holdsthat Blackbeard’sCache NaturalBridge, located inJefferson County, isthe site where Black-beard the Pirate andcrew buried treasure.Although it is highlyunlikely that pirateloot is indeed buriedthere, it does serve asan interesting folktaleand provides a uniquename for this feature. Many of these

stone structures havebeen utilized for vari-ous purposesthroughout historyfrom human habita-tion by native cul-tures to modern-dayrecreation areas. Oth-ers have been the pre-ferred locations forwater mills, dancehalls, breweries, live-stock shelters, tourist destinations and otherfestive or practical purposes. Remarkable examples of these geologic

works of art can be seen in Missouri’s recre-ation areas and state parks. Why not visitRock Bridge Memorial State Park, BennettSpring State Park, Clifty Creek NaturalArea or Kaintuck Hollow and see nature’shandiwork for yourself?Most of Missouri’s natural arches,

bridges and tunnels are located on privateproperty. It is important to respect privateproperty rights and request permission be-fore attempting to observe geologic land-marks that do not have public access.More information about these and other

fascinating geologic features can be foundin the popular book published by the Geo-logical Survey, Geologic Wonders and Curiosities of Missouri, available at missourigeologystore.com.

Joe Gillman is state geologist and director ofthe Missouri Geological Survey, a division ofthe Department of Natural Resources.

(Above) Hikers and bikersat Katy Trail State Park canfind Roche Percee NaturalArch at mile marker 166.9,between McBaine andEasley, south of Columbia.Cut into the rock, high on abluff, the arch is 25 feethigh and 15 feet wide.(Opposite page, top) RockBridge Memorial State Park,near Columbia, is named forthe massive 125-foot-longnatural limestone tunnelwith a stream flowingthrough it. A boardwalkleads from the tunnel tonearby Devil's Icebox, a col-lapsed sinkhole with an en-trance to a cave system.

14 Missouri Resources

by Tom Uhlenbrock

(Above) Missouri State Parks has more than 230 trails in 58 parks and historic sites totaling nearly 1,000 miles.(Inset) Visitors to Missouri State Parks have a varietyof trail options for all ages and activity levels to enjoy.

H iking the Whispering Pines Trail inHawn State Park or floating the Akers-to-Pulltite section of the Current River

are always rewarding experiences.But now the two outings offer a bonus. To-

gether, they total 20 miles in the outdoors andwould represent a fifth of the goal in the Gover-nor’s 100 Missouri Miles Challenge.Gov. Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne

Nixon have posted the challenge for all Mis-sourians to follow them and complete 100 milesof physical activity by the end of the year. Youcan hike, run, paddle, pedal or roll on any ofMissouri’s trails, parkways or streams.The Nixons are avid promoters of the beauty

found in the diverse landscapes of Missouri. Thegovernor visited all 87 state parks and historicsites, and says touring the parks, prairies, riversand trails is an enjoyable way to combat twogrowing epidemics – obesity and what sociolo-gists call “nature deficit disorder.”“In the digital age, these outdoor traditions

are more important than ever – for the sake ofour heritage, and our health,” Nixon said in re-marks kicking off the challenge. “Think about it:You can spend hundreds of dollars on the latestXbox, iPad or flat-screen television, or you canturn off the gadgets, get off the couch, walk outthe door and have fun in the real world, for free.“Outdoor activities aren’t just fun, they’re

good for you. Even a small amount of physicalactivity on a regular basis can have a big impacton your overall health and well-being.”Nixon pointed out that Missouri recently was

named the “Best Trails State” by AmericanTrails, a national, nonprofit organization work-

DNR photos by Scott Myers

ing on behalf of the nation’s hiking, bikingand riding trails. The award is presentedevery two years to the state that has madetremendous contributions to promote andimprove its trail system.The state park system has more than 230

trails in 58 parks and historic sites. A guideto all of them, Trails of Missouri StateParks, is available at mostateparks.com andhelps visitors choose a hiking trail based ontheir needs and skill levels.“Missouri has an outstanding system of

trails that can accommodate a wide varietyof activities ranging from a short walk to ahike through the wilderness,” the governorsaid. “I encourage all Missouri families toget out there and take advantage of this in-credible resource found right here in theShow-Me State.”

T o join the Nixons in recording 100Missouri Miles, participants

can register for the challenge at100missourimiles.com. After sign-ing up, you can log on to recordyour own miles with each individualouting. Up-to-date totals for theNixons are listed on the site.Missourians also can connect

with the challenge through Face-book at facebook.com/100MoMiles, and through Twitter attwitter.com/100MoMiles.The governor noted that trails not

only are free, fun and good for you,they also add to the state economy.A recent study showed that the KatyTrail alone generates nearly $18.5million a year in economic impact

for the state and supports hundreds of jobs.The Governor’s 100 Missouri Miles Chal-lenge is a partnership with Missouri StateParks, a division of the Missouri Depart-ment of Natural Resources; the MissouriDepartment of Health and Senior Services;and the Missouri Division of Tourism. “Over the coming weeks and months, we

will travel 100 Missouri Miles, on back-country hiking trails and bike paths, on sub-urban greenways and city parks, throughdense wilderness and tall prairie grass,”Nixon said.

“Whether you’re up for hiking acrossthe state on the Katy Trail, or walkingaround a local park – we want everyone toparticipate.”

Tom Uhlenbrock is a writer for MissouriState Parks, a division of the Missouri De-partment of Natural Resources.

(Above) Participants canrun, walk, bike, paddle, orroll to complete their “100 Missouri Miles” of physical activity by the endof the year.(Above right) Gov. JayNixon and First Lady Geor-ganne Nixon launched the100 Missouri Miles Chal-lenge in June to encourage Missourians to enjoy the outdoors.(Below) Scenic trails, suchas Swimming Deer Trail atSt. Francois State Park,helped Missouri win recognition as “Best Trails State,” by American Trails.DNR photo by Scott Myers

DNR photo by Scott Myers

DNR photo by Tom Uhlenbrock

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L ooking for a trail to take on the Governor’s 100 MissouriMile Challenge? Missouri State Parks has nearly 1,000miles of trails that truly have something for everyone. From

the paved trails that make a great spot for a sunset stroll, to a chal-lenging hike through the wilderness, there are options for all agesand activity levels to enjoy. Trails are not just for walking; visitorscan enjoy a water adventure on an aquatic trail, a day bike riding onthe Katy Trail, or a horseback experience on an equestrian trail. Ajourney back in time is also possible as many of the trails at his-toric sites include interpretive panels along the way.

resources to explore

by Steph Deidrick

16 Missouri Resources16 Missouri Resources

“Missouri State Parks rec-ognizes that trails are valu-able, and not just for their

natural elements,” said BillBryan, director of Missouri

State Parks, a division of the Missouri De-partment of Natural Resources. “Spendingtime on a trail is a great experience with amultitude of physical and mental benefits.Trails are like a free tonic for the mind,body and soul that makes our lives richerand happier.”Check out these options in state parks

and historic sites as you head out to take onthe challenge.

Whispering Pines Trail – Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve Co.Whispering Pines Trail is generally con-

sidered to be one of the best hiking andbackpacking trails in the state. The trail pro-vides the opportunity for day hikes of vary-ing lengths or a longer backpacking trip. Itmeanders through a beautiful mixed hard-wood and pine forest that is home to a vari-ety of animals. Extensive exposures ofsandstone and granite can be explored alongthe banks of Pickle Creek and the RiverAux Vases. Mosses and ferns create a luxu-rious effect on the moist overhangs thatoccur along the two streams. The trail con-sists of two loops: the north loop is about 6miles long and the south loop is approxi-mately 3.75 miles.

Kelley Branch Mountain Biking Trail– Finger Lakes State Park, Boone Co.This trail is inside the 90-acre Kelley

Branch Restoration Area. Located in a sce-nic and rugged portion of the park, the 2.75-mile trail follows the wooded hills alongKelley Branch Stream. The trail is a singletrack that loops riders and hikers from thepicnic area trailhead north, then to thesouthern-most point of the park, crossingKelley Branch Creek. The route takes usersthrough wooded landscapes that feature

steep mounds 20 to 30 feet high. It descendsto the flat bottomland for a short ride, thenback up the hillside where hikers pass a wa-terfall and the remains of a mining bridge.

Mudlick Trail – Sam A. Baker State Park, Wayne Co.Whether you prefer riding horseback or

hiking on foot, Mudlick Trail provides anintimate journey into the St. FrancoisMountains, one of the oldest mountain re-gions of North America. Most of the trail islocated in the Mudlick Mountain Wild Area,a significant, undisturbed natural landscapein Missouri. One of the features of the trailincludes a gradual climb to the summit ofGreen Mountain. It offers a rewarding view,especially in fall and winter, when the treesin the thick oak-hickory forest have shedtheir leaves. The total length of the trailmeasures 16.75 miles, but is broken intotwo separate sections – the “Equestrian andHike,” and the “Hike Only.”

Table Rock Lakeshore Trail – Table Rock State Park, Taney Co.Open to foot traffic, wheelchairs and bi-

cycles, this paved trail runs along TableRock Lake and totals 2.25 miles. It parallelsthe shoreline and provides good views ofthe lake. There are dry woodlands andglades on the uphill side of the trail. Someof the oaks along the route are more than200 years old. Bald eagles, loons and os-prey are commonly encountered in the win-ter. Amenities include water fountains, rest-rooms, benches and bike racks. The trail isrelatively flat and offers easy walking.

River Scene Trail – Castlewood State Park, St. Louis Co.This trail is named for its main feature –

the park’s most spectacular views, and isopen to hiking and bicycling, although thebluff portion is hiking only. Totaling 3.25miles, the route includes overlooks that pro-vide stunning panoramic views of the

(Opposite page) Whispering Pines Trail at Hawn State Park meanders through a dramatic mix of hardwoods and pine forest. DNR photo by Scott Myers(Left) The Mudlick Trail at Sam A. Baker State Park descends into Mudlick Hollow, which features a boulder-strewn stream. DNR photo by Tom Uhlenbrock

Fall 2013 17

18 Missouri Resources

Meramec River valley. Hikers also will seemany old foundations that serve as a re-minder of the resort era during the 1920sand 1930s. Another sight along the trail isthe Castlewood Railroad Depot.

Courage Trail – Battle of IslandMound State Historic Site, Bates Co.Come walk the interpretive trail loop and

learn about the Battle of Island Mound. Thisbattle marked the first time that African-American troops were engaged in Civil Warcombat. Battle of Island Mound State His-

toric Site encom-passes Fort Africa,where the 1stKansas Colored Vol-unteer Infantrycamped in 1862, pre-ceding a battle withpro-Confederateforces near a low hillnamed IslandMound. Informationalong the trail ex-plains the effect the1st Kansas ColoredVolunteer Infantry

Missouri State Park Trail Facts• Missouri State Parks offers almost 1,000 miles of managed trails in its state parks and historic sites. • Visitors can enjoy approximately 215 miles of horseback riding on equestrian trails at 16 state parks. • Almost 75 trails in Missouri State Parks are within designated wilderness and natural areas.• Missouri State Parks’ trail system includes 315 designated trailheads that provide parking and trail access to visitors.• The most common trail marker, or blaze, color on Missouri State Park trails is yellow. More than 150 miles of trail in state parks and historic sites are blazed in yellow.

Courage Trail in-cludes wayside exhibits

with information about theBattle of Island Mound.

(Right) The Kelley Branch MountainBike Trail is inside the 90-acre Kelley

Branch Restoration Area at Finger Lakes State Park near Columbia. (Below) The Table Rock Lakeshore Trailis a relatively flat, paved trail thatruns along Table Rock Lake.

had on later Union decisions to allowAfrican-American units to fight.For more information about trails in Mis-

souri State Parks, visit mostateparks.com orcheck out Trails of Missouri State Parks, a422-page, full-color book that lists morethan 230 trails in 58 state parks and historicsites. Each trail is summarized with a writ-ten description and a map that includes con-tour lines, GPS coordinates for trailheadsand outstanding features such as overlooks.The spiral-bound book is available for pur-chase at mostateparks.com.

Steph Deidrick is the division informationofficer for Missouri State Parks, a divisionof the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

DNR photo by Scott Myers

DNR photo by Scott Myers

DNR photo by Kelley Brent

Parks Announced as GoldMedal Finalist

Missouri State Parkshas been recognizedas one of the top parksystems in the nation asa finalist for the 2013 Na-

tional Gold Medal Awards.The award is presentedby the American Acade-my for Park and Recre-ation Administration, in

partnership with the National Recre-ation and Park Association and MuscoLighting LLC. The Gold Medal Awards program

honors parks systems in the U.S. thatdemonstrate excellence in parks andrecreation through long-range planning,resource management, volunteerism,environmental stewardship, programdevelopment, professional develop-ment and agency recognition. Thisyear’s winner will be announced liveduring NRPA’s Annual Congress & Ex-position in Houston, Texas, on Oct. 8-10.

Discharge MonitoringReport System Launched

The Missouri Department of NaturalResources has released a new onlinetool to help Missouri wastewater per-mit holders submit required dischargemonitoring reports electronically.The electronic discharge monitor-

ing report, or eDMR, system will sim-plify the reporting process for Mis-souri’s estimated 4,500 wastewaterpermit holders. Some wastewater systems are re-

quired to submit discharge monitoringreports that summarize effluent moni-toring results. The eDMR system al-lows wastewater treatment facilities tosubmit their reports via the internet,rather than through a paper recordingand submission process. The eDMR system will be faster and

more efficient than the current systemand will greatly reduce the amount oftime and labor wastewater facilitiesspend preparing these reports. Addi-tionally, eDMR will save the depart-ment time and improve accuracy by

eliminating potential errors that mightbe introduced by manual data entry. The eDMR system is DNR’s second

major online initiative aimed at im-proving permitting time and efficiency.The ePermitting system, launched inJune 2012, allows Missourians toapply for and receive land disturbancepermits entirely online.For more information, visit

dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/edmr.htm, or callthe Department of Natural Resources’Water Protection Program at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1300.

Online Permits ReachMilestone; Win Award

The Departmentof Natural Resourcesrecently issued its1,000th online landdisturbance permit,a milestone for theprogram that repre-sents years saved by applicants anddepartment staff alike.The ePermitting process, first rolled

out in June 2012, allows applicantsseeking a land disturbance permit –the most common of the permits is-sued by the department – to submittheir application and receive the per-mit in a matter of minutes. In Septem-ber 2013, the Environmental Councilof the States selected the ePermittingprogram as one of three State Pro-gram Innovation Award winners for2013. ECOS is a national non-profitassociation of state environmentalagency leaders. Its purpose is to im-prove the capability of state agenciesto protect and improve human healthand the environment.Building on the success of ePermit-

ting, the department recently imple-mented eDNR, an online reporting pro-gram for wastewater plants that is muchquicker and more accurate than theprevious hard-copy reporting process.“Our goal is to continue to use

available technology to simplify theprocess for users and ease the de-mand on staff while still maintainingthe same level of environmental over-sight,” Parker Pauley said.

Trail Project ReceivesExcellence Award

Missouri State Parks was recentlyrecognized by the Society of OutdoorRecreation Professionals with a Proj-ect Excellence Award for their work ona trail inventory database and Trails ofMissouri State Parks book. The awardsare presented to recognize outstand-ing accomplishments in the field ofoutdoor recreation research, planning,management, and trails policy. The project involved the creation of

a comprehensive inventory to developa trail database for Missouri StateParks containing information, imagesand up-to-date maps of every trailwithin the system. The wealth of knowledge gathered

through the inventory was then com-piled into a beautifully illustrated,Trails of Missouri State Parks, whichprovides information on more than230 trails in 47 state parks and historicsites. The award was presented dur-ing a ceremony on May 23 at the Na-tional Outdoor Recreation Conferencein Michigan.

Earth Science Week 2013

“Mapping Our World,” thetheme of this year’s EarthScience Week, will boost

awareness about themany exciting usesof maps and map-ping technolo-gies in the geo-sciences. Each

year, the department’s Missouri Geo-logical Survey participates by sharinginformation with children and adultsabout how earth sciences play a fun-damental role in the health, safety andwelfare of all Missourians. During the week, staff will recog-

nize National Fossil Day Wednesday,Oct. 16; the Great Central U.S. Shake-Out, Thursday, Oct. 17; and GeologicMap Day Friday, Oct. 18, with specialactivities and exhibits.Geologic Map Day is designed to

promote awareness of geologic map-ping and its vital importance to socie-

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ty. Geologic Map Day focuses the at-tention of students, teachers and thegeneral public on the study, use andsignificance of geologic maps for edu-cation, science, business, and a vari-ety of public policy concerns. Specialexhibits will be on display in the Ed-ward L. Clark Museum of Missouri Ge-ology, located at 111 FairgroundsRoad, Rolla. Plan to participate inEarth Science Week activities. To learnmore, visit dnr.mo.gov/geology/education.htm#ESWeek.

Learn About Your Drinking Water

The Missouri De-partment of NaturalResources urgesconsumers to be-come more familiarwith their local drink-ing water provider.The department hasmade it easier to do so

by becoming the first inthe nation to post Consumer Confi-dence Reports online for each publicwater supply. Federal law requires public water

supplies to provide Consumer Confi-dence Reports to customers by July 1each year. These reports enable Mis-sourians to make practical, knowl-edgeable decisions about their healthand environment. The reports alsoprovide suppliers with an opportunityto explain how the community’s drink-ing water supplies are protected andbuild on their relationship with thewater customer.To assist utilities with this effort,

DNR has made the reports available toconsumers on its website atdnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/pdwb/ccr.htm.Missouri was the first state to take thisinitiative after the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency decided last yearto allow water systems to post the re-ports online in lieu of mailing papercopies to customers. All community water systems are

required to produce and distribute aConsumer Confidence Report. Thesesystems include cities, water districts,

20 Missouri Resources

newssubdivisions, mobile home parks andother water systems serving at least25 residents. The department encourages the

public to read their water system’sConsumer Confidence Report and be-come better informed about theirdrinking water. Any citizen served by acommunity water system who has notreceived a Consumer Confidence Re-port should call their water providerand request a copy. For more information, call the De-

partment of Natural Resources at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-5331.

Well Permit Renewals NowAvailable Online

The department’sMissouri GeogicalSurvey is pleased toannounce the avail-

ability of an online serv-ice in which well drillingand pump installationcontractors may renewtheir permits. Onlinepermitting allows con-tractors to renew and

print their permit and vehicle cardsand pay associated fees immediately,for those contractors who have nooutstanding violations against their ex-isting permit. The online permitting feature was

added to the division’s suite of onlineservices, in addition to the Well OnlineForm Submittal (WOLFS) system,which was implemented by the divi-sion in fall 2012, and the Well Informa-tion search function implemented inspring 2013. WOLFS enables monitor-ing well contractors to submit monitor-ing well certification and registrationforms and pay associated fees. ThisWeb resource has proven to be signifi-cantly more efficient for staff and con-tractors. The search function is a re-source for private citizens wanting tolocate well or pump installation con-tractors who are permitted to do busi-ness in Missouri and search recordsfor wells drilled after November 1987.The online form service is available atdnr.mo.gov/mowells.

Watershed Summits Held

Our Missouri Waters, the depart-ment’s new vision for working withwater resources at the watershedlevel, is continuing through its pilotphase. A watershed summit for theSpring River Watershed was held inJoplin at the end of May. More than100 people participated, includingmany from the local community, aswell as local, state and federal agencypartners. The summit kicked off with atour of the watershed that provided avisual perspective of the diverse char-acteristics of the Spring River basin,and recognized practices and projectsthat benefit the water resources andwatershed community. The secondand third days of the summit focusedon information gathering and discus-sion around water resource topics inthe Spring River watershed, such asstream water quality and watershedplanning, wastewater and drinkingwater infrastructure, and long-termwater supply and drought planning.The other focus watersheds during

the pilot phase are the Lower Grand innorth-central Missouri and the BigRiver in the southeast. The depart-ment’s regional watershed coordina-tors are already working with partnersin these watersheds to share informa-tion and plan for gatherings similar tothe Spring River summit. The date forthe summit in the Lower Grand isSept. 10, 2013, with the Big Riversummit slated for Oct. 9.To learn more about Our Missouri

Waters, the Spring River Water sum-mit, and to sign up for updates, visitdnr.mo.gov/omwi.htm.

Focus Groups for Education

In a continued ef-fort to serve Mis-souri communitiesand bring natural re-source expertise tothe general publicand Missouri youth, the Department ofNatural Resources currently is evalu-ating its education outreach efforts.

Tipton Awarded Drinking Water Grant

The Missouri Department of NaturalResources has awarded a $606,600

low-interest loan for the replacementof approximately 6,800 feet of drinkingwater distribution lines in Tipton.Funding for the loan comes from Mis-

Fall 2013 21

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environmental notes

A properly functioning wastewater treatmentsystem is a necessity for keeping wastes flow-ing smoothly out of your sewer. In a rural statelike Missouri, many homes lack access to cen-tralized sewer systems and instead must opt foran on-site septic system. While time-tested andlow-maintenance, these systems require atten-tion to make sure they function properly.

The key areas involved in keeping a septicsystem healthy center around proper inspec-tion, periodic pumping, proper waste disposal,

water efficiency and drain field care. In a septic system, wastewater flows from thehome into a septic tank where it is held long enough that heavy solids, calledsludge, are allowed to settle. Grease and lighter solids float to the top forming alayer called scum. The middle layer of wastewater then flows into a series of perfo-rated underground pipes in a drain field where it is naturally cleaned and disinfec-ted as it is reintroduced into the environment. On average, a septic tank should bepumped to remove excess solids and grease once every three years.

A system clogged with scum and sludge can cause wastewater to back up intothe house or escape into the yard. For this reason it is good to be mindful of whatyou put down the drain. Toilets are not trash cans, so flushing large amounts ofwaste that does not break down in a septic system can cause problems down theline. Avoid putting things like cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds andgrease down the drain. In addition, items such as household or photographicchemicals and paint can wipe out beneficial bacteria that live in septic systems andare important for their proper function. These chemicals also can contaminategroundwater, find their way into local waterways and harm the environment, as wellas clog the drain field, causing backups.

The more water a household conserves, the less enters a septic system fortreatment. It is important to fix leaky faucets and toilets. Just one cup of leakingfaucet water every ten minutes equals 36 gallons of water wasted in a day. In addi-tion, the installation of high-efficiency toilets and showerheads, as well as faucetaerators, can significantly decrease water usage.

By heeding the tips above, a homeowner also can avoid costly repairs and thepossibility of legal liability should the system fail. An unusable or malfunctioningseptic system also can lower your property value. With proper care, a septic sys-tem can remain in operation almost indefinitely.

For more about septic systems, and tips for identifying a malfunction, visit theU.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SepticSmart website at water.epa.gov/in-frastructure/septic/septicsmart.cfm.

Additional information about septic systems can be found on the Missouri De-partment of Health and Senior Services website at health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/index.php.

Bubble Bubble … Toilet Trouble

This past summer, the departmenthosted multiple statewide EducationFocus Group meetings to determinewhat adult educators need to informand educate our youth as it relates topreserving and protecting the state’snatural and cultural resources. Thedepartment is focusing these meet-ings on K-12 youth through formal andinformal education efforts. The focus groups were well attend-

ed and offered valuable informationthat will provide direction to the de-partment and help us serve Missouri-ans in the best way possible. For more information about the De-

partment of Natural Resouces’ youtheducation efforts, visit dnr.mo.gov/education/index.html.

Grant for GeologicalSurvey Program

The U.S. Geological Survey recent-ly awarded a STATEMAP

grant in the amountof $134,667 to thedepartment’sGeological Sur-vey Program.The funds are to

support advancedetailed geologic mapping in the Jef-ferson City-Columbia area and large-scale compilation geologic mappingin the St. Louis area. Since 1993, the Department of Nat-

ural Resources has actively participat-ed in the USGS National CooperativeGeologic Mapping Program and hasproduced 107 bedrock and 99 surficialmaterial geologic maps for locationsacross the state. Geologists will coordinate support-

ing data from the Department of Geo-logical Sciences and Engineering atthe Missouri University of Science &Technology in Rolla. Bedrock and surficial material geo-

logic mapping in Missouri is neededto establish the geologic framework ofareas determined to be vital to theeconomic, social and environmentalwell-being of the state. Learn moreabout the STATEMAP mapping pro-gram at dnr.mo.gov/geology.

souri’s Drinking Water State Revolv-ing Fund. The fund provides assis-tance for communities with drinkingwater infrastructure needs. A portionof the funding will be targeted towardgreen infrastructure, water and ener-gy efficiency, and environmentally in-novative projects. This funding will help the city of

Tipton protect its residents and theenvironment by making necessarydrinking water improvements.The department’s Water Protection

Program administers the loan fundsand is committed to working closelywith communities to support waterand wastewater infrastructure im-provement projects.For more information, contact the

department’s Financial AssistanceCenter at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1192, or visit dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf.

Bunceton AwardedWastewater Grant

The Missouri Department of Natu-ral Resources has awarded a$100,000 loan to the Cooper Countycity of Bunceton for installation of anultraviolet disinfection system to elim-inate bacteria from the wastewatertreatment plant’s water discharge. Ul-traviolet disinfection destroyspathogens to prevent the spread ofwaterborne diseases to downstreamusers and the environment. The loan will be financed through

repayments of loans made fromWater Pollution Control bonds. Thedepartment’s Financial AssistanceCenter provides funding to assistcommunities with infrastructureneeds for water quality, wastewaterand drinking water. A portion of the funding will be tar-

geted toward green infrastructure,water and energy efficiency, and envi-ronmentally innovative projects imple-mented by the city of Bunceton.The department’s Water Protection

Program will administer the loanfunds. For more information, visit theWater Protection Financial AssistanceCenter online at dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf.

22 Missouri Resources

State Funding for CameronDrinking Water Plant

More than $1.1 million in financingfor improvements to the city ofCameron’s drinking water treatmentplant has been awarded by DNR.The city will receive a $490,500

grant and a $616,000 low interestloan, which will be used to convert the

plant’s disinfection system from chlo-rine to chloramine. Funding for the grant and loan

comes from the Drinking Water StateRevolving Fund. The fund provides fi-nancial assistance to communitieswith drinking water infrastructureneeds. This funding will help the cityprotect residents and the environment

The Missouri Stream Team program started in 1989 and so did Stream Team31, Ozark Fly Fishers. One of the oldest and largest Stream Teams, for manyyears they participated in stream cleanups and quietly removed trash from theriver while fishing. However, a core group of members decided to become moreinvolved with the program. In 2002, they attended a water quality monitoringworkshop designed for anglers at Montauk State Park.

“That’s when it allreally started,” statedMike Swederska, for-mer president of theclub. “About eight ornine members went tothe VWQM trainingand they started doingregular monitoring.”Adopting stream siteson the Current River,Mill Creek and BlueSprings Creek, theseenthusiastic fishermenset about protectingtheir favorite resource. “One of the things we are proudest about is the fact thatwe were able to leverage matching funds to raise $15,000 in less than 12 monthsto help purchase Bohiginan Conservation Area and return it to public use,” Swed-erska said.

Explaining their motivation to continue their endeavors, Glenn Bish said, “Forme it is all about protecting the environment and improving the streams that welove. We want those resources to be available for future generations to enjoy.”Scott Darrough added, “I want to do the best I can to leave this world a betterplace than I found it, and hopefully someone will come along and continue thework when I am gone.”

Other annual activities include participating in Op-eration Clean Stream, Bio Blitz and other environmen-tal programs. This 300-member Stream Team and theirthree trained monitoring teams – captained by GlennBish, Scott Darrough and Bill Leslie – are definitelymaking a difference on their adopted streams. Let’shope they will continue to do so for another 24 years.

Scott Darrough, Glenn Bish and Mike Swederska

Old Stream Team Finds New Passion

Stream Team Notebook

DNR photo by Karen Westin

news

District No.12 will use the funds –an $866,000 grant and an $866,000low-interest loan – to replace watermains along U.S. Highway 61 from thewater supply district office and out toAirport Road. It also will construct a water main

extension at the intersection of Inter-state 55 and U.S. Highway 61. Fund-ing for the loan comes from Missouri’sDrinking Water State Revolving Fund. The fund provides assistance for

communities with drinking water infra-structure needs.

This funding will helpJefferson County Public

Water Supply District No.12 pro-tect residents and the environment by

making necessary drinking water sys-tem improvements.The department’s Water Protection

Program will administer the funding.For more information contact the

department’s Financial AssistanceCenter at 800-361-4827 or 573-751-1192 or visit dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf.

For news releases on the Web, visitdnr.mo.gov/newsrel/.

For a complete listing of the department’supcoming meetings, hearings and events, visitthe department’s online calendar atdnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

Looking for a job in natural resources?Go to dnr.mo.gov/hr/.

by making necessary public drinkingwater improvements. The department’s Water Protection

Program will administer the grant andloan funds. For more information, visitthe department’s Water Protection Fi-nancial Assistance Center online atdnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/srf.

Jefferson County WaterImprovements

The Missouri Department of NaturalResources has awarded financingtotaling $1.73 million to PublicWater Supply DistrictNo.12 of Jefferson Coun-ty to improve its water dis-tribution system.

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Time Exposures

As manufactured glass plate film and simplified cameras became readily avail-able in the 1880s, photography became a practice not only for professionals, butfor the average, everyday American. People like Charles Elliott Gill, a farmer fromDent County, began documenting the world around them, creating an importantwindow into the turn-of-the-century rural Missouri lifestyle. Gill received his firstcamera when he was 18, but did not begin documenting his life until in his forties. For more than 30 years, Gill used the same camera he bought as a teenager to doc-

ument his time and travels aroundthe Ozarks and on his farm. Hisphotographs depict farm life inDent County, as well as the lifestyleof communities in the area.

Gill married Myrtle Hayes in1917 and they had a son, EdwardAllison Gill, in 1918. The marriageended in divorce in 1921, and Gillnever remarried. He died on July15, 1962, at the age of 93.

In 2002, his son Edward donat-ed his father’s collection of 722glass plate negatives and originalprints to the Missouri StateArchives in Jefferson City.

The photo at left was taken ofthe Gill family in 1912, in a ruralMissouri pumpkin field. Harvey Gillis standing near the center of theimage, with hat and cane in hand.

Photo courtesy of the Charles Elliot

Gill Photograph Collection, Missouri

State Archives.

Send your photo to “Time Exposures,” c/oMissouri Resources, PO Box 176,Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. Originalphotos will be returned via insured mail.Pre-1970 environmental and naturalresource photos from Missouri will beconsidered. Please try to include thedate and location of the picture, a briefdescription and any related historicdetails that might be of interest to ourreaders.

24 Missouri Resources

C ontinental Coal Inc. (CCI) of Kansas Cityrecently received the Interstate Mining

Compact Commission’s (IMCC) Small Opera-tor of the Year Award for surface coal mining.This award was given to CCI for their exempla-ry performance in mining and reclamation atthe Cottonwood Creek Mine just north ofHume, Mo. in Bates County. Phil Tearney, pres-ident of the company, accepted the award atthe commission’s annual meeting in Cincin-nati, Ohio on April 16, 2013.

The Interstate Mining Compact Commis-sion is composed of 25 member and associatemember states represented by their governorswho serve as commissioners.

Kevin Mohammadi, director of the Depart-ment of Natural Resources’ Land ReclamationProgram, is the duly appointed representativeof the governor.

“The IMCC is committed to recognizingthe mining companies that are environmen-tally conscientious in their operation,” saidMohammadi. “These companies take envi-ronmental protection seriously.”

The mining and reclamation work at theCottonwood Creek Mine was finished aheadof schedule and in a quality manner. The min-ing and reclamation is supported by highly ef-fective design plans which resulted in en-hancements for wildlife, agriculture and waterresources. Steve Femmer of the department’sLand Reclamation Program made the nomi-nation for this award.

“The reclaimed land blends in very wellwith the neighboring farms and fixes someold problems from past mining,” said Fem-mer. “That is a very positive result from goodmining and reclamation practices.”

Resource Honor Roll Continental Coal Inc.

Philip E. Tearney, President, Continental Coal Inc.

news

Shale is a very common form of sedimentary rock composedof clay, fine silt or mud that has been compacted into solid

rock by burial beneath other sedimentary rocks. Shale generallyis smooth to the touch and soft enough to be easily scratched orbroken. Usually thin-bedded, layered or laminated, and tends tobreak along parallel bedding planes, shales come in a variety ofcolors. Some are gray, green and red, while others are darkbrown and black. Often between the layers are animal burrowsand fossils of both marine creatures such as brachiopods andland plants such as lepidodendrons.

People sometimes confuse shale with slate, a much harder rock.In manufacturing, shale is used as a filler material for Portlandcement – a basic ingredient of concrete, mortar and stucco –and brick, tile and ceramics, to name a few uses.

Black shale is commonly associated with coal beds in northernand western Missouri. Under certain geologic conditions, oil andgas accumulate in what is known as “oil shale” and can yield oiland gas from the burial and thermal alteration of shale or mud-stone. However, tremendous energy is needed to extract thesecompounds, making this rock more appealing in regions whereother sources of oil have been exhausted. Although Missouri hastremendous amounts of thinly bedded black shales in the ForestCity Basin, located in northwest Missouri, none of these rock

Shale Consisting of innumerable fine layers, or laminations,that can be easily separated, shale is made up of tiny silt, mud or clayparticles compacted together. The process in the rock cycle which formsshale is called compaction.

units are currently producing oil or gas. Read about oil and gasin Missouri at dnr.mo.gov/geology/docs/gcsummer7.pdf.

The most recent U.S. Geological Survey report identifies the 10leading shale and clay (USGS combines shale and clay statis-tics) producing states, in decreasing order of tonnage, asGeorgia, Wyoming, Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, Missouri,California, Ohio, South Carolina and Mississippi. Learn moreabout shale and other common Missouri rocks and minerals atdnr.mo.gov/geology/docs/rocksetbooklet.pdf.

(Foreground) Shale, used in the manufacture of Portland cement (background)pictured here in the form of a support pillar. DNR file photos

RockMatters

Fall 2013 25

one

K eeping up on the latest storiesabout Missouri’s natural re-

sources and state parks is about to geta little easier when Missouri Re-sources returns to a quarterly publica-tion schedule with the winter 2014issue. Once again, MR will hit thestreets around the time the seasonschange, just as nature intended. Ten years. Seems like a long time.

Several months ago, when we werelaying the groundwork (that’s govern-ment-speak for “trying to find themoney”) to return Missouri Resourcesto its original quarterly publicationschedule, someone asked me when wecut back to three issues per year.‘Four or maybe five years ago,’ Ireplied, fairly certain I was in theballpark. It was 2003. Grabbing an archive copy of MR, I

wanted to see what was going on inthis agency exactly one decade agowhen we cut back to three issues. Wecould have almost cut the Director’sComments from summer 2003 andpasted them into this issue, savingcurrent DNR Director Sara ParkerPauley some time. A few update editsand we’d be good – even the wordcount was right on the screws. “In Missouri, and most other states,

all levels and branches of government,as well as our universities and publicschools, are struggling to make everynickel and dime stretch,” said StevenMahfood, the DNR director in 2003.“That same problem seems to be mak-ing its way into our homes and busi-nesses, as well,” Mahfood continued.Mahfood’s uncle, who was Yogi

Berra (yes, that Yogi Berra),

probably would say, “It’s déjà vu allover again.”The entire article detailed many of

the specific cuts our agency would beworking through, including cuttingMR from four to three issues per year.Do more with less, we’re all doing itthese days. We should be doing it. It’snot just state government, everyonehas to work faster, smarter and rely ontechnology. Technology is what haskept printing costs in check throughthe years. And although postal costsstill go up, good list management andaccuracy help control it. So now thatwe’re back on schedule, we will beexpanding some content, reducingothers and tweaking our “look.”Missourians value clean air, water,

soil and a healthy outdoors in whichto recreate. This message was madeclear to me as I read over your com-ments from an online survey of ourexisting subscribers. You also con-veyed what you wanted to see moreof, and what you could do without. Regarding content, state parks, his-

toric sites, trails and natural areasheaded the list of what our readersprefer to read about. Not far behindwere streams, lakes, wetlands, rocks,minerals and geologic wonders. Be-ginning with the winter issue, whichwill mail in mid-December, two addi-tional parks entries will be added,along with regular feature stories fromstate parks.Explore Missouri will replace Re-

sources to Explore, and in lieu of fo-cusing on one park or historic site,multiple parks events normally en-tered as news briefs will be expanded

by Stuart Westmoreland

in this section. In addition,two new entries – Tops Spots andTrails Highlight – will include bestspots in Missouri State Parks to camp,fish and myriad other topics. The newtrails page will feature a different traileach issue and include details andphotos that space didn’t previouslyallow.We’ve also increased the pages de-

voted to feature stories, and have re-duced the text to allow for more andlarger photos. Obviously, with thesame number of pages, some regulardepartments had to be reduced oreliminated. Using the survey as ourguide, our template was revised ac-cordingly.

MR staff also have heard frommany of our state’s educators whowould like more resources to use inthe classroom. So, next issue, many ofour features will include links whereadditional information about a story ortopic can found on our DNR educationpages at dnr.mo.gov/education.We hope you enjoy the new con-

tent, an updated style and a return toquarterly publication. As always, wewelcome your feedback and look for-ward to hearing from you in 2014.You can email Missouri Resources

at moresdnr@dnr.mo.gov.

Stuart Westmoreland is a public infor-mation administrator and editor ofMissouri Resources.

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCESPO Box 176Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176

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MO Dept. ofNatural

Resources