DOCSLIB.ORG

Water-Quality Assessment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1973-74

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Water-Quality Assessment of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1973-74 NI 3 1,818 00029799 2 (200) _ WRi no. WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE, 1973-74 k-CA A L . C 0 N , 1975 * SEP 2 5 8 R Prepared for the National Park Service U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations 14-75 BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA 1. Report No. 2. 3. Recipient's Accession No. SHEET 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date Water-Quality Assessment of the Indiana Dunes June 1975 National Lakeshore, 1973-74 6. 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Rept. Leslie D. Arihood No*WRI 14-75 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. U.S. Geological Survey 1819 North Meridian Street 11. Contract/Grant No. Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 , 12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 13. Type of Report & Period Covered U.S. Geological Survey 1819 North Meridian Street Final Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 14. 15. Supplementary Notes Prepared for the National Park Service 16. Abstracts Precipitation samples collected at the National Lakeshore had average inorganic ion concentrations ranging from 0 to 7.0 milligrams per litre. Streams generally had a specific conductance ranging from 300 to 600 micromhos, an alkaline pH, and a dissolved oxygen concentration near saturation. The bogs and marshland contained water with a specific conductance ranging from 40 to 150 micromhos, an acid pH, and dissolved oxygen ranging from 0.2 to 4.0 milligrams per litre. Ground water was usually a calcium magnesium bicarbonate type and moderately to very hard (71 to 390 milligrams per litre). 17. Key Words and Document Analysis. 17a. Descriptors *Monitoring, *water supply, water chemistry, nutrients, aquatic microbiology, insecticides, chemistry of precipitation, hydrogeology 17b. Identifiers/Open-Ended Terms *Water-quality assessment, National Park Service 17c. COSATI Field/Group 18. Availability Statement 19. Security Class (This 21. No. of Pages Report) No restriction on distribution UNCLASSIFIED 20. Security Class (This 22. Price Page UNCLASSIFIED . FORM NTIS-35 (REV. 10-73) ENDORSED BY ANSI AND UNESCO. THIS FORM MAY BE REPRODUCED USCOMM-DC 8265-P74 WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE, 1973-74 By Leslie D. Arihood U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations 14-75 Prepared for the National Park Service 1975 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Stanley K. Hathaway, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY V. E. McKelvey, Director For additional information write to: U.S. Geological Survey 1819 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 CONTENTS Page Abstract 1 Introduction 2 Purpose and scope 2 Acknowledgments 7 Geohydrology 8 General aspects 8 Unit 1 8 Unit 2 9 Unit 4 9 Bedrock 9 Stream hydrology 13 Water quality 14 Precipitation 14 Ground water 15 Lakes and ponds 18 Bogs and marshland 21 Streams 26 Summary 31 References cited 33 Basic data 35 ILLUSTRATIONS Page Figure 1. Map showing location of study area 3 2. Map showing location of the sampling sites 4 3. Geologic map and sections 10 4. Potentiometric-surface map of unit 4 12 5. Map showing water type and hardness of selected ground-water samples 17 6. Map showing location of inter-dunal ponds, ash ponds, and sampling sites near NIPSCO 20 7. Map showing water type of selected bog and marshland samples 22 8. Graph comparing temperature and specific conductance data of the Cowles Bog area 24 9. Map showing water type of selected stream samples 28 10. Graph showing bacteria concentrations at selected stream sites 30 TABLES Page Table A-1. Field analyses 36 A-2. Chemical analyses 45 A-3. Trace element analyses 51 A-4. Organic analyses 52 A-5. Bacteriological analyses 54 WATER-QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE, 1973-74 By Leslie D. Arihood ABSTRACT The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is underlain by unconsolidated lake and glacial deposits which have been divided into three units. Unit 1 is comprised mostly of sand and, in the western part of the National Lakeshore, is capable of yielding more than 500 gallons per minute (32 litres per second) to properly constructed wells. Unit 2, a silt till below unit 1, has little potential as a source of water for public supplies within the National Lakeshore area. Unit 4, a clay till under unit 2, is capable of yielding from 10 to 65 gallons per minute (0.6 to 4 litres per second) throughout the National Lakeshore. Precipitation samples collected at the National Lakeshore had average inorganic ion concentrations ranging from 0 to 7.0 milligrams per litre. Streams in the National Lakeshore generally had a specific conductance ranging from 300 to 600 micromhos, a pH ranging from 6.5 to 8.1, and a dissolved oxygen concentration near saturation (7.7 to 12.9 milligrams per litre). The hogs and marshlands generally contained water with a specific conductance ranging from 40 to 150 micromhos, a pH ranging from 5.0 to 6.5, and dissolved oxygen ranging from 0.2 to 4.0 milligrams per litre. Most surface waters tended to have calcium and bicarbonate as the dominant ion pair. Exceptions include some inter-dunal ponds and certain watercourses and areas of Pinhook Bog. Ground-water chemical quality varied with depth and location but not with time during a 6-month interval. Ground water was usually a calcium magnesium bicarbonate type and moderately to very hard (71 to 390 milligrams per litre). INTRODUCTION Purpose and Scope The area between the Indiana cities of Gary and Michigan City (fig. 1) is being rapidly developed into urban and suburban communities supported by nearby industrial complexes. Part of this area is being preserved by the National Park Service, which has begun acquiring land for the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. As part of developing the National Lakeshore, the Park Service requested the U.S. Geological Survey to make a water-quality assessment of the area. Sampling for this assessment began July 1973 and ended April 1974. The Park Service also requested a discussion of the area's geohydrology and potential ground-water supplies. The water-quality assessment includes an analysis of the chemical, organic, and bacteriological quality of ground and surface water and the chemical quality of precipitation. Water-quality sampling was done quarterly and included approximately 78 sampling points (fig. 2). -2- MICHIGAN INDIANA >H• 21 Michigan CD City 1\1,7 LaPorte Pinhook Bog 1 41°30 1 >-- . V-- i Z Z = = 0 0 C-.) CD f= U-1 U-1 EXPLANATION Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore 0 5 10 Miles 1 1 1 I I 10 15 Kilometres 0 M i I 1 '00 K [0-et'es Figure Location of study area 3 1 87 ° 10' EXPLANATION Chemical—measurement site • Temperature—measurement site 77 Biological—measurement site Fl owing artesian well '25 Non—flowing artesian wel l • Well used for domestic supply O Well used for public—water supply 4) Unused well * Continuous record, stage—measurement gaging station —Nat i onal Lakeshore boundary 41°40 ' -- ,-- tw.,\ es r- ,- ')\e' ,- J , • __ __ 2 L_ . _ _j .. Cowl es Bog 2777.4k z!:.1___>< 19v 23 ,,,____ -------3P v- v-- 29 (4?--- 24 N I PSCO 2027 22 -37, ii „:„..3r..... Bethlehem Sand d 1 Ic e 6/-:,R' West ------- 6 , ___J L__ Beach V Unit I Baily 30 Homestead 31 Porter Figure 2.-- Indiana Dunes - 4 - 87 ° 00' 59 6 V61 60 *V4-163 64 _J 58 , 55 • \-\e' 66 V'\ \ CZ\ V 48 V-54 • 57 65 Q;kk\-\ V 53 49 56 X 52 / .47 50 51 3 \(\ „ \\C • '733 • I 1 I" 38 kr9 Information 40 Center 34 35 Tremont 6 37 9 Furnessville 43 r— N 0- • _J I 142 44 86J50' 677, = 0 Ic:= Pi nhook Bog 68 737-69 4 41'37' — Chesterton 3 4 5 Miles 0 1 2 3 4 5 0 7 8 Kilometres National Lakeshore sampling sites -5- The following table can be used to convert report data from English to metric units: To obtain English unit Multiplied by metric unit inches 25.4 millimetres (mm) feet .3048 metres gallons per minute (gal/min) .06308 litres per second (l/s) cubic feet per second 3 (ft /s) .02832 cubic metres per 3 second (m /s) Although the conversion factors are shown to as many as five significant figures, the metric equivalents in the text are shown only to the number of significant figures consistent with the values for the English units. Acknowledgments The author is especially grateful to the personnel of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore for their assistance in the project field work. The information from J. R. Hill and E. J. Hartke, of the Indiana Geological Survey, on water levels and geology of the area was valuable in preparing the report. Appreciation is expressed to the Northern Indiana Public Service Company and the Indiana Dunes State Park management for permission to enter and sample water in their area. Prof. J. E. Newman's data on precipitation quality, and Mr. E. C. Moore's cooperation in field data collection were also helpful. GEOHYDROLOGY General Aspects The study area is underlain by three unconsolidated rock groups originating from glacial action and lake sedimentation. Bedrock underlying these deposits consist of shale and limestone. All these formations are sources of water; however, the quantity of water available and the quality vary among them. The unconsolidated rocks were divided into units 1, 2, and 4 by Rosenshein (1962a), consisting respectively of sand, silt till, and clay till. Unit 3 of Rosenshein's description does not extend under the National Lakeshore area. Figure 3 shows the surficial geology and geologic sections of the area. The following unit descriptions are mostly a summary of the geohydrologic properties reported by Rosenshein and Hunn (1968).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download Download
    10/23/2014 The Historical Roots of The Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Region: From Science to Preservation Category: Vol. 3, 2009 The Historical Roots of The Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Region: From Science to Preservation Written by Stephanie Smith and Steve Mark Hits: 10184 The South Shore Journal, Vol. 3, 2009, pp.1-10. Stephanie Smith - Indiana University Northwest Steve Mark - Chicago, Illinois Abstract The present article highlights the impact that scientists, educators, and activists of the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland area had on the conservation of land. The habitat and ecosystems of the Indiana Dunes were deemed to be of scientific interest by Henry Cowles, who led an international group of ecologists to visit the area in 1913. This meeting resulted in the formation of the Ecological Society of America, an offshoot of which eventually became The Nature Conservancy. It was only when preservation efforts expanded their focus from scientists attempting to prove that habitats were worthy of preservation to include contributions by people from all walks of life, did conservation take off. Keywords: The Nature Conservancy, Ecologists Union, Volo Bog The Historical Roots of The Nature Conservancy in the Northwest Indiana/Chicagoland Region: From Science to Preservation …There is not a sufficient number of scientific people as voters to enthuse the politicians… …. (Garland, 1954). In the late 1890’s and early 1900’s, Henry Chandler Cowles, a botanist at the University of Chicago, published a number of scientific papers on ecological succession from research conducted in the sand dunes of northwestern Indiana (e.g., Cowles, 1899; Cowles, 1901).
    [Show full text]
  • Plan ID.Indd
    Contents Introduction . .1 Resource Overview . 2 Natural History . 2 Cultural History . 3 Existing Conditions . .5 Audiences . 5 Facilities . 6 Staff . 7 Programs . 7 Media . 9 Partnerships . .10 Regional Offerings . .12 Interpretive Themes . .13 Recommendations . .14 Interpretive Center . 14 Pavilion . 17 Self-Guided Media . 18 Programs . 19 Staff . .20 Other Locations . 20 Summary . 22 Introduction In response to a need to stay current with interpretive and visitor trends and to maximize limited staff and fi nan- cial resources, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks and Reservoirs has devel- oped this Interpretive Master Plan for Indiana Dunes State Park. The plan accomplishes this task by: a. focusing interpretive efforts on a site-specifi c theme b. identifying needs for guided and self-guided interpretation, and c. recommending actions to fi ll those needs. The process of developing interpretive recommendations considers three components: a. Resource. What are the natural and cultural resources of the site.? b. Visitor. Who are the current users? What are the untapped audiences? c. Agency. What is the mission of the agency? What are the management goals within the agency? Other regional interpretive experiences and partnerships are incorporated to stretch staff and fi nances, foster cooperation and prevent competition. Several factors make the plan important for Indiana Dunes State Park: • In 2016, Indiana State Parks will be celebrating its 100th birthday. • The Indiana Dunes Nature Center opened int 1990. Most of the exhibits have been unchanged and are showing their age. • Indiana Dunes is unique from other parks. Recommendations need to refl ect: 1. Most of the park’s visitors are day use only.
    [Show full text]
  • The Structure and Composition of Vegetation in the Lake-Fill Peatlands of Indiana
    2001. Proceedings of the Indiana Academy of Science 1 10:51-78 THE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF VEGETATION IN THE LAKE-FILL PEATLANDS OF INDIANA Anthony L. Swinehart 1 and George R. Parker: Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 Daniel E. Wujek: Department of Biology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48859 ABSTRACT. The vegetation of 16 lake-fill peatlands in northern Indiana was systematically sampled. Peatland types included fens, tall shrub bogs, leatherleaf bogs and forested peatlands. No significant difference in species richness among the four peatland types was identified from the systematic sampling. Vegetation composition and structure, along with water chemistry variables, was analyzed using multi- variate statistical analysis. Alkalinity and woody plant cover accounted for much of the variability in the herbaceous and ground layers of the peatlands, and a successional gradient separating the peatlands was evident. A multivariate statistical comparison of leatherleaf bogs from Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and New Hampshire was made on the basis of vegetation composition and frequency and five climatic variables. The vascular vegetation communities of Indiana peatlands and other peatlands in the southern Great Lakes region are distinct from those in the northeastern U.S., Ohio and the northern Great Lakes. Some of these distinctions are attributed to climatic factors, while others are related to biogeo- graphic history of the respective regions. Keywords: Peatlands, leatherleaf bogs, fens, ecological succession, phytogeography Within midwestern North America, the such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Androm- northern counties of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio eda glaucophylla, and Carex oligospermia of- 1 represent the southern extent of peatland com- ten make "southern outlier peatlands ' con- munities containing characteristic plant spe- spicuous to botanists, studies of such cies of northern or boreal affinity.
    [Show full text]
  • Fitness & Fun Challenges
    THE TOP 10 Fitness & Fun Challenges 1.The 3 Dunes Challenge 6. Prairie Duneland Trail Take The 3 Dune Challenge starting at the Nature Center Bike the paved Prairie Duneland Trail – a dedicated trail at Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton. Hike a – through the northern communities of Indiana Dunes specially marked 1.5 mile course, climbing Mount Jackson Country. (elevation 176 feet), Mount Holden (184 feet), and Mount Tom (elevation 192 feet). Some parts of the trail feature 7. Blastcamp 40-degree slopes, making each step that much more, well, Have a blast at Blastcamp in Hobart, a former Army base challenging. Conquer The 3 Dune Challenge, we invite you that is now 28 acres of bunkers, trenches, buildings and to stop by the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center to buy a shirt towers for paintball and Airsoft competitions. There’s open and pick up a free commemorative sticker and postcards. play on the weekends or groups can rent the whole place Indiana Dunes State Park is home to six other trails, for private games. including Trail 9, which has been selected as one of the best hiking trails in the nation, rewards hikers with forest views followed by spectacular lake views. 8. Rogers Lakewood Park Rogers Lakewood Park in Valparaiso is home to a disc golf course which takes players past a climbing wall, a 2. The Outback Trail skate park, running trails and a big hill to run up and down. Try mountain biking at the Outback Trail at Imagination Glen You can also rent rowboats and pedal-powered boats to Park in Portage and enjoy 10 miles of twists and turns.
    [Show full text]
  • Indiana Dunes Ecosystem Alliance Framework
    Indiana Dunes Ecosystem Alliance Strategic Framework Written by Save the Dunes Conservation Fund In partnership with the National Park Service – Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, United States Geological Survey, The Nature Conservancy, Shirley Heinze Land Trust, National Parks Conservation Association, and the Northern Indiana Public Service Company. This project was made possible by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Lake Michigan Coastal Program. 0 Introduction The Indiana dunes are situated in Northwest Indiana along the southern shore of Lake Michigan. Despite their name, the Indiana dunes are not limited to the shoreline and are home to a diverse range of habitats. The Indiana dunes are primarily comprised of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (INDU), managed by the National Park Service (NPS); Indiana Dunes State Park (IDSP), managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR); and lands owned and managed by non-profit organizations such as Shirley Heinze Land Trust (SHLT) as well as municipalities and communities. The Indiana dunes are embedded within and intersected by a variety of land uses, such as industry, agriculture, residential communities, and utilities. Within this complicated landscape is one of the nation’s top ten most biodiverse national parks in the National Park System. The Indiana dunes are home to nearly 1,200 native plant species1, globally imperiled habitats, and state and federally endangered plant and wildlife, all within steps to a number of densely populated communities in Northwest Indiana. The urbanized and industrial setting of the Indiana dunes contributes to the prosperity, diversity, and quality of life in Northwest Indiana.
    [Show full text]
  • An Introduction to the Indiana Sand Dunes Jacob Jauch Iowa State College
    Volume 21 Article 10 1-1-1933 An Introduction to the Indiana Sand Dunes Jacob Jauch Iowa State College Follow this and additional works at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/amesforester Part of the Forest Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Jauch, Jacob (1933) "An Introduction to the Indiana Sand Dunes," Ames Forester: Vol. 21 , Article 10. Available at: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/amesforester/vol21/iss1/10 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at Iowa State University Digital Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Ames Forester by an authorized editor of Iowa State University Digital Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. An Introduction to the Indiana Sand Dunes JACOB JAUCH, '33 A unique and fascinatingl recreational area for a large por- tion o±' the millions of inhabitants of Chicago, Gary and Vicin- ity, is afforded by the Sand Dunes of Indiana. Most people of Chicago do not realize what a remarkable piece of nature lies at their convenient disposal, and many more fail to appreciate its unusual beauty and formation. Sand dunes in themselves are nothing` unusual, for they exist throughout the world, but the presence of a large tract of dunes in the middle west makes this region of great interest. One may encounter these sand ,dunes in various places along the IJake Michigan boundary of the states of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. However, the most interesting stretch and also the most important one is that belt starting at Miller, Indiana, only 42 miles from the heart of Chicago, and extending to Michi- gan City, Indiana, embracing- the Indiana Dunes State Park, which is the particular region undertaken in this treatise.
    [Show full text]
  • Mrs. Jodi Webster Mrs
    3.22 April 2, 2019 Dear Parents/Guardians: If experiencing the Indiana Dunes State Park, experiencing magic and spending a day hiking and canoeing sounds like fun to your 6th, 7th, or 8th grader, then read on! North Montgomery is in the 14th year of the Bratton Initiatives. The middle school initiatives offer Summer Adventures to students in grades 6-8 (grade enrolled 2018/19). These adventures are designed to give your student the background knowledge to aid in your child’s comprehension skills and overall educational experience. It has been noted that bringing real world knowledge into the classroom helps students better comprehend, predict, visualize, and retain tasks done in the classroom. Attached you will find a detailed explanation of the adventures offered to students in grades 6,7,and 8. Along with the explanation you will find a permission/emergency medical form that will need to be turned in along with the money for entry fees due by Friday, April 19th . Thank you for your involvement in the Bratton Initiatives Summer Adventures. Loving to learn and adventure, Mrs. Jodi Webster Mrs. Jodi Webster [email protected] 765-364-1173 ext 598 3.22 3.22 Please SAVE Please SAVE Please SAVE Please SAVE SHOES AND CANOES NR trip Thursday, June 13th Bus Departure 9:30 am Bus Return 4:30 pm* Approximate COST: Student or Chaperone $20.00 Time to get those shoes out and hike through Shades State Park. We will go from our shoes in Shades State Park to Canoes in Sugar Creek. Students will get the chance to hike, grill out and canoe! Students will have to bring appropriate attire to hike and also canoe.
    [Show full text]
  • Full Proceedings for 2017
    2 GLPTI Proceedings 2017 2017 GREAT LAKES PARK TRAINING INSTITUTE ANNUAL PROCEEDINGS 1 2017 GLPTI Proceedings INTRODUCTION Participants from the Great Lakes Region gathered in Indiana’s Pokagon State Park February 27- March 2, 2017 to attend this annual event. The Institute is historically significant. In the mid-1940s, amidst the rapid growth of park districts, state parks, and recreation departments throughout the Midwest, an awareness of the need for a professional training program arose. At the invitation of Dr. Garrett Eppley at Indiana University, the summer of 1946 ushered in a meeting of representatives from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Dr. Eppley proposed an educational institute to include general sessions and detailed workshops. The group supported the idea and arranged for a pilot program in late 1946. A total of 116 delegates attended the pilot program held at McCormick’s Creek State Park in Indiana. The pilot was a huge success and provided much service to those departments in attendance. The representatives met again, this time adopting the name Great Lakes Park Training Institute, and agreed to continue the program. Throughout the years, the program has been polished and tailored to become what it is today. The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University administers GLPTI in its current format. Eppley Institute personnel staff GLPTI and work with the Board of Regents to conduct the event. This document contains the proceedings of the 2017 Institute. Session information has been provided for all speakers who submitted the information to the Great Lakes Park Training Institute.
    [Show full text]
  • LONG DISTANCE HIKING TRAILS Welcome to Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs
    34 DNR 2007 Special Events Programs are open to the public, suitable for all ages and with some exceptions, free with admission to the property. Welcome to Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs’ Walk, hike, swim, ride and relax your way to better health at your favorite state park or reservoir. As you spend time outdoors, you’ll see that our Hoosier state properties feature great natural resources, ranging from giant sand dunes to deep rocky canyons. They are priceless gems and it takes staff, expertise and funding to manage and protect them. Visit www.dnr.IN.gov/healthy on the web for more information. Ten Simple Ways.... ....you can improve your health at a state park or reservoir. • Walk a trail. • Rent a canoe or boat and go for a paddle. • Take a swim at a pool or beach. • Have a picnic and visit the playground. • Join our staff for a guided nature hike. • Ride a bike on one of our paved trails or our mountain bike trails. • Turn off your cell phone and computer Make a date to get INShape at state parks and and relax in a lawn chair at a picnic area. reservoirs on Saturday, May 5 and Saturday, • Waterski on one of our nine reservoirs. September 8. Admission to your favorite • Buy a GPS unit and learn to geocache. property is free with an INShape coupon • Take a child fishing. downloaded from www.INShape.IN.gov, and features staff-led exercise walks at most properties. Coupons will be available two weeks before each INShape DNR Day.
    [Show full text]
  • Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Foundation Document Overview
    NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Foundation Document Overview Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Indiana Contact Information For more information about the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore Foundation Document, contact: [email protected] or (219) 395-1882 or write to: Superintendent, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, 1100 N. Mineral Springs Road, Porter, IN 46304 Purpose Significance Significance statements express why Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore resources and values are important enough to merit national park unit designation. Statements of significance describe why an area is important within a global, national, regional, and systemwide context. These statements are linked to the purpose of the park unit, and are supported by data, research, and consensus. Significance statements describe the distinctive nature of the park and inform management decisions, focusing efforts on preserving and protecting the most important resources and values of the park unit. • The park contains exceptional biological diversity, especially plant communities; there are more than 1,100 native plant IndIana dunes natIonal lakeshore species on more than 15,000 acres. was established to preserve certain portions of the Indiana dunes and • Geological processes are responsible for the formation and other areas of scenic, scientific, and ongoing evolution of the impressive dunes, wetlands, and other landscape features of the park. The geologic record of historic interest and recreational three ancient dune systems, remnants of ancient shorelines, value in the state of Indiana for is preserved in the park, as is a mix of eastern deciduous the educational, inspirational, and forest, prairies, oak savanna, wetlands, pannes, rivers, recreational use of the public. and remnants of boreal forests that occupy the dynamic landscapes created by these geologic processes.
    [Show full text]
  • Restoration of Cowles Bog Wetland Complex's Lake
    TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PURPOSE AND NEED ..........................................................................................................................4 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................................4 1.1 PURPOSE AND NEED ................................................................................................................................................5 1.2 DESCRIPTION OF INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE ..................................................................................6 1.3 DESCRIPTION OF COWLES BOG WETLAND COMPLEX ..........................................................................................7 1.4 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT AREA ...................................................................................................................9 1.5 PLANNING CONTEXT .............................................................................................................................................11 1.6 SCOPING ................................................................................................................................................................12 1.7 ISSUES ....................................................................................................................................................................12 1.8 IMPACT TOPICS .....................................................................................................................................................13
    [Show full text]
  • Full Beacher
    THE TM 911 Franklin Street Weekly Newspaper Michigan City, IN 46360 Volume 33, Number 36 Thursday, September 14, 2017 Making a Comeback by Connie Kuzydym hhellbergellberg FFarmarm iiss a ccul-ul- as IDNL superintendent, back in 2008, Chellberg tturalural aassetsset aandnd DDunesunes LLearningearning CCenterenter aann eeduca-duca- Farm’s livestock and farm animals were, for the ttionalional jjewel.ewel. TTheyhey eexistxist wwithinithin IIndianandiana DDunesunes NNa-a- most part, a government-run operation with some ttionalional LLakeshore,akeshore, wwhichhich iiss ppartart ooff tthehe NNationalational PParkark volunteer assistance. Their presence also was amid SService.ervice. a declining budget period. When the key person who WWhyhy tthehe bbriefrief llessonesson oonn wwho’sho’s wwho?ho? took care of the farm retired, the IDNL did not have LLet’set’s ttakeake a qquickuick ssteptep backback ttoo 2008,2008, whenwhen thenthen the capacity to keep that model of farm life going. IIDNLDNL SSuperintendentuperintendent CCostaosta DDillonillon aannouncednnounced So, Dillon made the decision to remove the animals, CChellberghellberg FFarmarm wwouldould nnoo llongeronger iincludenclude ffarmarm aani-ni- an unpopular move with the public. mmals.als. TToo uunderstandnderstand whywhy unpopularunpopular decisionsdecisions areare Fiscally, though, Labovitz said, “it was absolutely mmadeade aatt tthehe llocalocal llevel,evel, oonene mmustust kkeepeep iinn mmindind tthesehese the right thing to do. tthreehree llocalocal jjewelsewels aarere ppartart ooff a llargerarger ppicture.icture. When Labovitz arrived three years ago, he began CAccording to Paul Labovitz, who succeeded Dillon Continued on Page 2 Geof Benson, executive director of Dunes Learning Center, feeds a goat at Chellberg Farm, while the cow nearby appears a tad wary of Beacher photographer Paul Kemiel.
    [Show full text]