INDIANA 



General description: The northern glaciated portion of the state has a large 

 number of wetlands, 6755 having been inventoried (Hamilton). Of these, two 

 bogs have already been registered as Natural Landmarks and six other areas 

 have been suggested for consideration. No wetlands have been suggested for the 

 southern, unglaciated portion of the state. 



Status of the wetlands: Some of the marshes are being threatened by develop- 

 ments with their attendant problems of sewage and solid waste disposal. 



Sources of data: The natural areas of Indiana have been exceptionally well 

 reviewed and catalogued by a professional ecologist, Dr. Alton A. Lindsey, 

 under a grant from the Ford Foundation (Lindsey et al. 1969). The State Divi- 

 sion of Fish and Game has also published a report on the wetlands (Hamilton). 



Recommendations: Two bogs (Cowles Bog and Pinhook Bog) are already Re- 

 gistered Natural Landmarks. Of the remaining six wetlands on which we have 

 data, we recommend their review as potential landmarks in the following order: 

 ( 1 )Cabin Creek Raised Bog; (2) Tamarack Bog; (3)Marsh Lake; (4) Merry Lea 

 Marsh; (5) Wing Haven; and (6) Cedar Lake Marsh. Dr. Lindsey writes that, 

 "Cabin Creek Raised Bog is by all odds the most unusual wetland area in Indi- 

 ana." It is distinctly different from those already registered, and needs per- 

 manent protection. The Tamarack Bog site represents a number of wetland 

 types and is already in state ownership. Marsh Lake also includes a variety of 

 wetland types and, as a series of private holdings, needs to come under institu- 

 tional protection. Merry Lea Marsh preserves a cattail association. Wing Haven 

 and Cedar Lake are both desirable if they can be protected from development 

 and/or other encroachments. 



Literature cited 



Hamilton, M. Wetlands of northern Indiana. Final Report. Department of 

 Natural Resources, State of Indiana Division of Fish and Game. Pitman 

 Robertson Project 2-R. 



Lindsey, A. A., D. V. Schmelz, and S. A. Nichols. 1969. Natural areas in 

 Indiana and their preservation. Lafayette, Indiana, p. 594. 



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