Chaplins Lake Walk

Geography 2010-Physical Geography

Spring 2002

On the last day of class, the Physical Geography class took a short walk on campus to visit Chaplins Lake. Chaplins Lake is part of the old braided stream channel associated with the Red River through Natchitoches, and was dammed a number of years ago to create a lake on the NSU campus. The objective of the walk was to see first hand several landforms that we had been discussing in class, including the interfluve, the bluff, a stream terrace, the backswamp, and the natural levee. The class got a better understanding of the fluvial processes that shape the landscape, and enjoyed getting out of the classroom as well!

The class standing on the interfluve, preparing to walk down to Chaplins Lake.

Walking down the bluff towards the stream terrace.

Walking on the stream terrace, with the bluff clearly visible in the background.

A nice view of the backswamp, used as a ball field and a playground on the NSU campus.

Standing on the natural levee with the lake in the background. The change in vegetation from pine to water tolerant trees was clearly visible and noted by the class. It was a fun walk and a nice way to end the semester.