IIB. Prose description of site significance: 



Whether of natural or man-made origin, a large fresh marsh has 

 existed for over two hundred years at the mouth of Corapeake Swamp. 

 It is the only vegetation community of its type in Gates County or 

 the Dismal Swamp, and may not be known elsewhere. Historically, it may 

 have been the only place in the county where rice culture was practiced. 



This grassy wetland, especially if restored to its former extent, 

 could be one of the most striking features of the Dismal. Its possible 

 original significance to resident wildlife and wintering waterfowl are 

 unknown . 



Riverbank sandreed ( Calamovilf a brevipilis ) , a species listed as 

 threatened (Cooper et al. 1977) and as a protected species in North 

 Carolina (Sutter 1980) was listed for this site, but was later found to 

 be Calamogrostis cinnoides (L. J. Musselman 1980, pers. comm.), and 

 should be removed from any lists of records for Gates County. 



No other endangered or threatened species are currently known. 

 However, no avian or other faunal survey was made at the site. Also, 

 the field work was done in the later stages of a two-year drought. 

 Most of the grasses present were not flowering or fruiting at the time 

 and remain to be identified. Other surviving herbs were obviously 

 drought-stressed . 



The presence of hydrophytes such as golden club ( Orontium 

 aquaticum) , lizard's tail ( Saururus cernuus ) and wild iris (Iris 

 virginica ) indicate that the water table must ordinarily occur at or 

 above the surface for at least part of the year. Many more species of 

 hydrophytic herbs are to be expected in a year with normal rainfall. 

 Consequently, the area should be resurveyed during a season of 

 typical precipitation. 



If the original 2-3,000 acre marsh were indeed a natural feature, 

 it may have been a community type found nowhere else. It presently has 

 considerable value for vegetation study and for examining the effects 

 on a marsh, of two centuries of varying agricultural uses. Documenta- 

 tion of efforts to reestablish the marsh will be of value to other 

 land managers involved in rehabilitation of damaged natural areas, a 

 relatively new science. 



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