Lakeplain wet-mesic prairies occur on the glacial lakeplains of the Great Lakes. These lakeplains can be found in southeastern Wisconsin, northeastern Illinois, northern Indiana, southern Michigan and northern Ohio; and in southern Ontario, Canada. Michigan’s lakeplain wet prairies occur along the shoreline of Lake Huron in Saginaw Bay, along and down to Lake Erie. Eastern Michigan counties that that you can find these lakeplains are Bay, Tuscola, Huron, St. Clair, Wayne and Monroe county. Other areas that lakeplains can be found in Michigan are in Allegan and Berrien counties in the southwest part of the state. Unfortunately the lakeplains around the world are imperiled. Michigan’s lakeplain have diminished to only 1% of what they once were. In Michigan 37 lakeplain prairies have been located, of these 40% are on private unprotected land, many of the others are just remnants of what they once were.
Formations of these lakeplains are from the sediments of pro-glacier lake beds. As the glaciers melted these lakes were formed from the melt water that then took many year to run off and leave behind the lake beds. The source of melt water was from the Laurentide Glacier, Wisconsin Ice sheet and the Huron Lobe. The sediment left behind can be from sand to sand loom to loom to clay. With this the depth of the sediment also changes depending on what the make up is. All of the silt sediment in this area of Michigan is lying on the Paleozoic bedrock and the clay type can be up to 300 feet deep. For the most part the thick clay deposits would be found inland, these lakeplains can be found up to 30 and even 40 miles inland.
When talking about the lakeplain prairies we have look at the composition of these formations, let us look at what they might look like today. Because of the rich sediment and the draining of lack there of they have about 200 species of plants that grow on them. Many times it covered in tallgrass or shrubs, few trees would be present, those that would be are often oaks and a few others that will grow in swamp like areas. Though that is not what you are here to see, it is one way to identify then as you may find them around this part of the state.
The posted co-ords take you to the conservatory area of the Blue Lagoon sanctuary. There you will find a sign that describes the lakeplain prairie that you are visiting here. Please use the trailhead at N42 20.905 W082 57.220 as it is the only way to be used for the conservatory area.
To log this Earthcache you will have to complete the following tasks.
1. Visit N42 20.948 W082 57.360 this is where you will need to get a little dirty. Here we will look at the make up of the silt sediment of the soil on the lakeplain.
2. Post a photo of you or your team near the trailhead, please use the Detroit River as the background.
To test the soil you will need to pick up a sample of dirt and roll it in your hand. You will be looking to identify it, is it sand, sandy loom, loom or clay. Sand will sift through your hand, sandy loom will from but will easily crumble. Loom will from with signs of cracking and clay will form in a solid form.
Be sure to e-mail me within 7 days of logging the cache to get credit for your work. If the rules of finding an Earthcache and e-mailing the owner is not followed your log will be deleted without notice!
The Recreation Passport will be phased in gradually beginning February 10, 2014. Vehicles will not need the Passport during the first year of state management until their next license plate registration renewal date. For example, if the vehicle license plate registration renewal date is in March 2014, then the Passport is not needed on that vehicle to enter Belle Isle until March. If the renewal date is in November 2014, than a Recreation Passport is not needed until November. Once a full year has cycled (February 2015), all vehicles entering the park must have a Recreation Passport.
The Recreation Passport applies only to vehicles, not individuals. Pedestrians, bicyclists and those using public transportation can enter the park for free and will not need the Passport. The DNR is working with the city of Detroit to re-establish a public bus route to the island.
Annual Recreation Passport is $11.00
All caches placed at Belle Isle State Park by the Belle Isle Cachers, or Rattrak, are here with consent of the support of the DNR supervision for the island.