Swamp Forests are a type of wetland. At one time 90% of Ohio was covered with wetlands, with the majority being lost to farming, factories and home construction.
Swamp Forests were formed from glacial deposits from the Wisconsinan glaciation. This glacier entered Ohio about 24,000 years ago and was gone from the state around 14,000 years ago. These lobate deposits blanket western, central and northern Ohio and formed most of the dominant features of the landscape. Most of this area was covered with a heterogeneous mixture of clay, silt, and rocks, known as till. Most of this was deposited beneath the ice as it slid along or was left as the ice melted and is known as ground moraine. As the Wisconsinan glacier started its final northward retreat about 18,000 years ago, it paused occasionally as advance and retreat in equilibrium and formed a low ridge of till at its snout as the ice disgorged the sediment it had scraped up in its long journey from northern Canada. These arcuate ridges and hills are end moraines. End moraines preserved as the glacier retreated are recessional moraines. As the ice melted, huge volumes of water were discharged, forming river valleys that were filled with sediment from the melting ice. These outwash deposits filled valleys with sediment that is today mined for sand and gravel and is an important aquifer for ground water. Other sand and gravel deposits formed in tunnels beneath the ice (eskers) or against the ice front as meltwater poured over the edge of the ice (kames).
The Wetland that you are visiting is considered a swamp forest for several reasons. The watertable is close to the surface and the land is often covered in six inches of water. The swamp forest also supports species such as the swamp white oak and button bush.
We hope that you enjoy Wegerzyn as much as we do. This park truly has something to offer the entire family and appeals to multiple age groups. We hope to make this earth cache as family friendly as possible.
To receive credit for this earth cache
Please email answers to the following questions to the Co at the email address provided on our profile page.
- On the day that you visited, was water standing in the swamp forest? If not what evidence was observed that water covers this area?
- Did You observe any wildlife on the date of Your visit? If yes, what did you observe?
- What role do you feel the Swamp Forest is providing to the surrounding environment?
please observe the following park hours
April 1 – October 31 8am to 10pm
November 1 – March 31 8am to 8pm