All of the following projects represent sites that were historic pre-settlement wetlands. Likely they originated from the 800+ acre kettle lake that formed over much of Merry Lea after the glacier receded 10-15,000 years ago. (See map at right.) With post-1830’s European settlement all of these areas had been drained and in active agriculture as of 1938.

Sites were identified by:

• The existence of hydric soils (mostly mucks)
• The presence of hydric plants
• Signs of human alteration to the natural hydrology

None of the sites were in active agriculture, with many having been abandoned for decades due to failing drainage, economics or changes in land use objectives.

See the links below to learn more.

PAST PROJECTS

• Onion Bottom

• Kesling Wetland

• Shew Wetland Complex

• Edwards Wetland

• Rieth Village Bio-Retention Basin

• Rieth Fen

• Wilmer Sedge Meadow

• High Lake Sedge Meadow