26 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



some rods back from it. This is a yellowish white loam, almost 

 white when dry, but dark gray when damp, composed of about 

 equal parts of sand and silt. There is usually some gravel scat- 

 tered through this soil or left on the surface by erosion. 



Muck is found only in a few places about the lake and in lim- 

 ited areas along the creeks. The largest area is that about the 

 lower course of Norris Inlet. The low ground along the Outlet 

 between Outlet Bay and Lost Lake (including Green's marsh), a 

 narrow strip on either side of the creek below Lost Lake, and a 

 similar narrow strip along the lower part of Aubeenaubee Creek, 

 are of muck. There is also a small amount about the mouth of 

 Culver Lilet, and west of the lake about a mile is a large area. 



This soil usually represents deposits of partly decayed organic 

 matter, and occurs in low, wet places, commonly known as 

 "marshes". The muck is usually several feet deep and is black 

 or brovvmish-black in color. It has much to do in determining the 

 character of the water and the vegetation of the parts of the lake 

 where it occurs. 



The relation of the soils of the country surrounding the lake 

 to the lake itself is an intimate one. In the first place the kind 

 and amount of soluble salts in the soil will determine the mineral 

 character of the water. In certain places there appears to be con- 

 siderable iron in the soil. This is particularly noticeable at the 

 Gravelpit where large masses of post-glacial conglomerate are 

 found resulting from the cementing of pebbles together. There 

 is a smaller area of similar material on the east side. There is 

 also some lime in the soil and no doubt much is leached out and 

 carried into the water of the lake from which it is again removed 

 by the various mollusks, and by certain plants. The water of the 

 springs and flowing wells also contains considerable iron and lime. 



Erosion: — Not a great amount of eroding is now going on about 

 the lake. Although heavy and frequent rains occur, the soil is 

 sufficiently sandy to take up most of the water readily and the 

 run off is not great. Most of the abrupt slopes are still covered 

 fairly well with vegetation. A few hills or ridges, especially along 

 roadsides, are rather deeply grooved and channeled, but the eroded 

 material is largely deposited before reaching the lake. The fall 

 in the inlets is so slight that comparatively little detritus reaches 

 the lake and the deltas and sandbars formed at their mouths are 

 insignificant. The largest delta is at the mouth of Overmyer's 

 Creek at the south end of the lake where a hilly region, chiefly of 

 Miami clay loam, near the lake, has long been cleared and is most 

 eroded. 



