The Fontana Fen EarthCache
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The following description of a Fen is written and compiled by the Twin Groves Virtual Wetlands Team.
Fens are wetlands characterized by continuous sources of ground water rich in magnesium and calcium. This groundwater comes from glaciers that have melted, depositing their water in layers of gravel and sand. The water sits upon layers of soil (glacial drift) that are not permeable; thus keeping the water from sinking beneath the surface. The water is then forced to flow sideways along the surface, where it picks up minerals in its path that contribute to the special chemical make-up of fens.
Sometimes, there are so many minerals in the water that some of them congregate to make a very porous rock called tufa. Marl, a crumbly kind of rock, can also accumulate from excess calcium mixed with other kinds of minerals. The soil in a fen is made up of peat.
The exact make-up of a fen is decided not only by the concentration of minerals, but, also by the amount of water flow, and by the terrain itself. It is different from a bog. Where a bog is more acidic, a fen is very alkaline. The pH of soil in a fen ranges from 7.35 to 8.00. The species of organisms that survive in fens must be able to adapt to these alkaline conditions present in the fens.
The Fontana Fen is partly formed by glacial action, as described above, and partialy formed by natural springs.
Looking to the East of the Fen you will notice Geneva Lake. Geneva Lake, Lake Como, Lake Delavan & other lakes comprising the Geneva Lakes are originated from the two great Michigan glaciers; 30,000 & 14,000 years ago. Geneva Lake is at the southern end of the Kettle Moraine, measures 8 miles long, 2 miles wide, 144 feet deep & is approximately 5200 acres, making it the largest lake in the region. It is fed by natural aquifers and springs traveling for hundreds of miles from Lake Superior.
The Geneva Lake area is also rich in Native American history. The ancient Oneota Tribes of the lost Hopewell Culture Indians lived here. These agricultural peoples enjoyed an advanced civilization on these shores as long ago as 1,000 B. C. They built effigy mounds in what is now Library Park in the City of Lake Geneva. These effigies of a panther and a Lizard were removed several years ago. Eventually, the migrating forest tribes, who were hunters and fierce warriors, drove out the earlier inhabitants. Subsequently, these later Indians were removed by the United States Army to Kansas following the Black Hawk War of 1831-32. Questionable treaty arrangements in 1833 laid the foundation for the eviction of Chief Big Foot and our local Potawatomi Tribe in 1836. Recently, the burial place of one of Chief Big Foot's wives was re-discovered just over one mile from this site.
To get credit for this cache, you must complete the following four tasks and e-mail me your answers:
1. At N 42.32.693, W 088.35.082 there is a sign describing the root systems of prairie plants. Please indicate which plant is listed by a marker just below to the left.
2. There is a sign that describes four invasive plants in the Fen. Please list those plants.
3. One of the water sources for the Fen is listed on one of the signs along the trail. This water source also acts as one of the area's only trout streams. Please list the name of the water source.
4. Please take a picture of you holding your GPSr next to Sam Johnston. If you are alone, please have Sam Johnston "hold" your GPSr for the picture.
Please do not post your answers in your log.
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