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>- General description: The fresh-water wetlands of New York are, for the most 



^ part, a consequence of glaciation. The southward flowing river systems in the 



W central part of the state, dammed by morainal deposits, formed the Finger 



Lakes. These now drain northward through swamps and marshes such as the 

 Montezuma Marshes, into the Mohawk Valley that formerly flowed into the 

 Hudson River. Deltas, such as the Seneca Lake Swamp, have formed at the 

 heads of some of these lakes. In sandy kame-moraine areas, poorly drained ket- 

 tles and depressions have developed bog lakes and bogs (Moss Lake, Kennedy 

 Bog in Mendon Ponds Park, Zurich Bog, the McLea n Bog s). Marshes have 

 formed in broader depressions which were originally snallow lakes (Big Reed 

 Pond and Thompson Pond). In others, wooded swamps have developed (Oak 

 Orchard and Bear Swamps). In limestone areas, marl swamps (Bergen Swamp) 

 and meadows (Quaker Pond in Mendon Ponds Park) have formed. Some 

 depressions have lakes that have not filled in very much but have interesting 

 aquatics (Kellis Pond and Long Pond). Bays along the shore of Lake Ontario 

 have become cut off at the mouth by sand bars and have developed marshes 

 (Dexter Marsh, Lakeview Marsh, Braddock Bay). 



Status of the wetlands: The wetlands of this state are subjected to various en- 

 croachments. These include highway construction (Montezuma Marshes and 

 Braddock Bay), logging (Bergen Swamp and McLean Area), developments (Big 

 Reed, Kellis and Long Ponds and Braddock Bay), gravel and peat extraction 

 (McLean Area, Moss Lake, Zurich Bog), airport construction (Seneca Lake 

 Marsh), and channel dredging (Seneca Lake). 



Sources of data: Information has been provided by personnel of the New York 

 Department of Conservation, Division of Fish and Game, by The Nature Con- 

 servancy, and by various scientists familiar with the ecology of the state. 



Recommendations: The Bergen Swamp has already been registered as a Natural 

 Landmark. This is certainly one of the outstanding wetlands in the state and 

 preserves as an excellent sample the flora and fauna characteristic of calcareous 

 marl beds as well as a diversity of other habitat types. The Oak Orchard Swamp, 

 a portion of which is within the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge, is being 

 managed for wildlife. Since it is close to the Bergen Swamp, which has already 

 been given landmark status, this swamp should not be given high priority. 



Bear Swamp has a noteworthy stand of rhododendron that is being preserved 

 by The Nature Conservancy. As such, it should be considered for registration. 

 The swamp forest along the Nissequogue River on Long Island is considered a 

 very fine stand. 



Bogs may be found at Moss Lake, Mendon Ponds, the Zurich Bog, and in the 

 McLean area. Moss Lake is being preserved by The Nature Conservancy and 

 the Zurich Bog by the Bergen Swamp Preservation Society. Both are excellent 

 examples and might be appropriately registered. The McLean Swamps and Bogs 

 are still privately owned, and action should be taken to protect them. It is possi- 

 ble that some of the owners might cooperate and that landmark status would 

 serve as an encouragement. Mendon Ponds Park has several outstanding wet- 

 lands — notably Kennedy Bog and the calcareous meadows around Quaker Pond. 

 These should be given consideration as landmarks since recognition could be 

 very beneficial in persuading the Monroe County Park System to give them pro- 

 tection. 



