Little River Wetlands Project posted Oct 12, 2021 by Little River Wetlands Project on YouTube Our mission is to restore and protect wetlands in the historic watershed of the Little River, a major tributary of the Wabash River, and to provide educational opportunities that encourage good stewardship of wetlands and other natural ecosystems.
5800 Smith Road, Fort Wayne, 46804. Little Rivers Wetlands Project on Facebook. Little River Wetlands Project (LRWP) protects more than 1,300 acres of wetlands in the Little River watershed. In addition to Eagle Marsh (our Eagle Marsh page), Arrowhead Preserves consisting of Arrowhead Marsh and Arrowhead Prairie and Buttonbush Bottoms, LRWP also co-owns Little River Landing with ACRES Land Trust. Webiste: www.lrwp.org. A photo of the Continental Divide sign at the Little River Wetlands Project was discussed December 11, 2021 on True Fort Wayne Indiana History on Facebook. The sign shows that East of the divide, the Great Lakes Watershed flows to the Atlantic Ocean via the Saint Lawrence Seaway. West of the divide, the Mississippi Watershed drains via the Wabash River system to the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico.
The area in which the Little River Wetlands Project does its work of wetland restoration and protection is the watershed of the Little River (also known as the Little Wabash), a headwater tributary of the Wabash River originating in Allen County and stretching southwest into Huntington County, Indiana. Most of LRWP’s efforts are focused in the Little River valley, a 25,000 acre area once known as the Great Marsh.
Coveted portage anchored early Fort WayneThe portage, a place where early travelers carried their canoes from one river to another, connected the St. Marys River - and thus the St. Joseph and Maumee Rivers - to the Little River, then the Wabash River, and finally the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. by Michael Hawfield in theCityscapes - People & Places series of articles from the archives of
The News-Sentinel newspaper . See Portage section.
In the survey of the "Thorntown Reserve," in 1822, a record is made of an Indian trace leading from Fort Wayne to Fort Harrison. Near by was a cluster of Indian wigwams. This trace could be easily re-located from the survey records which are exceptionally complete. The surveyor was Thomas Brown.
Chief Richardville's Reserve.
In October, 1819, Surveyor Joseph A. Allen laid out a reservation for Chief Richardville, opposite the mouth of "Little River." It contained two sections. "
Raccoon Village Reserve.
In September, 1827, Surveyor Chauncey Carter surveyed the Raccoon Village Reserve, on A'boite river. This survey located several Indian roads that led to Fort Wayne. During this same month Surveyor Carter also ran the boundary line from Tippecanoe river to Eel river.
In October, 1823, while making a survey of a tract 10 miles square opposite the river A'boite, (on Little river south) [Fort Wayne] Price F. Kellogg, the surveyor, found "an impassable lily pond," and had to offset 6 1/2 chains to get by it.
The Little River Wetlands Project restores some the portage wetlands between the 3 rivers that were here when the pioneers first arrived. The portage was the only land barrier on shortest trade route using rivers between Quebec and New Orleans in 18th century North America. "Its project area encompasses 25,000 acres of land once known as the Great Marsh, in Allen and Huntington Counties, Indiana. When settlers first arrived in this area, they found a vast wetland complex teeming with wildlife. LRWP is working to restore what can be saved of this great and valuable ecosystem." Just outside of Fort Wayne’s urban landscape, you’ll find lush oases home to thousands of native plants and wildlife. And though once natural to Indiana’s ecosystem, these nature preserves have been re-built from the farms they once were, after human settlers. Behind the ambitious feat: the Little River Wetlands Project (LRWP). “It began in 1990 by a group of concerned residents here in Allen County, that were worried about 85% of Indiana’s wetland loss at the time,” Executive Director Amy Silva explained. “Wetlands are the kidneys of our community and they will tell you whether or not you have good water quality.” She told us, LRWP has a two-pronged mission: restoration and protection of wetlands in the Little River Valley, and education. You’ll often find schools, guided hikes, and even corporate work days part of the activity out at Eagle Marsh. LRWP cares for four preserves, with three of them being accessible to the public. By far the most popular, is off of Engle Road. Close to city limits, and with several miles of trails, you’ll often see people walking through the serene wetland of Eagle Marsh. It’s also a favorite place for nature photographers to spend hours trying to get perfect pictures of over 250 species of birds.
Did you know that over 200 different species of birds have been found at Eagle Marsh? With the dedication of our incredible members and volunteers we have been able to record the birds that live in and migrate through Eagle Marsh.
Birds are all around us and birding is an incredible activity to help you connect with nature, that almost everyone can do! Through the practice of birding one can become more observant to what is happening around them, especially the small details.
During this time [COVID-19] we encourage you to get outside and explore your backyard or a close natural public space with the people you live with. To help make looking for birds a little more fun, we've created an Indiana Backyard Bird Bingo game for you and whoever you live with to enjoy! Feel free to download this page and let us know if you have any questions.
“The prairie west of the city, which is now largely cultivated, was an immense swamp in the midst of which was a lake; called Bear Lake. I believe one of the proudest moments of my life was when I shot six prairie chickens, and instead of going directly home, I went down town and marched up Calhoun street with them on my back.” Ernest W. Cook, Early Resident of South Wayne, 1908. Today’s story highlights our rich Native American history but also a significant event in the geological history of Fort Wayne: The draining of the Great Swamp or the Marshy Prairie.
The Little River Valley formed a massive marshland in southwest Allen County into Huntington County. Early settlers avoided it, and the Native American tribes used it for food, transportation, and interaction with other tribes. Initially, a northern channel called Cranberry and an alternative route near Foster Park were transportation routes.
Before the swamp draining, if it was a wet period, taking the southern route, individuals could canoe between the St. Mary’s River to the forks of the Wabash (See swampland picture for what it might have looked like). Even during regular periods, an individual would have to portage just a short distance near Ardmore Road (the current end of the Little River today). Along the way, you would see islands made of dunes (Fox Island, Sand Point).
Perhaps this southern route, although lesser known, was strategically important to Miami. In the early 1800s, when reserves were being granted to the Miami, they chose reserves on the southern and western ends of Allen County instead of the areas north. Even to this day, the Chief Richardville house sits in a location that lies where the south channel alternative portage route existed. Maybe this choice was because of the south channel.
Agricultural interests and city expansion would eventually lead to the demise of the Great Swamp, with one of the most significant impacts occurring due to the construction of the Fairfield Ditch. Today, while driving into Waynedale, you might notice a small bridge when traveling south on Bluffton Road passed Sand Point Road. The bridge passes over the Fairfield Ditch. This ditch was created in 1880 to divert one of the major sources of upland runoff into the valley, ultimately expediting drainage projects across the Great Swamp.
Josef Geisler shared the photos attached of a beautiful leucistic cardinal he saw at Eagle Marsh. You can read more about leucisim (melanin reduction) in birds here: Abnormal coloration in birds: Melanin reduction
You may be familiar with Lucy who is often seen at Fox Island Park. Maybe she came over for a visit.
FIRST LOOK! We've partnered with NiSource and PBS Fort Wayne to create a series of pieces that beautifully communicate the importance of wetlands and restoration efforts. Our first piece will be hitting the airwaves soon however, you get to see it here first! We hope you love it as much as we do!
We are so excited to share this first look! This is the last video of the series by PBS Fort Wayne made possible by NiSource. The series is a beautifully created to communicate and show the importance of wetlands. This video will run on PBS and show was a Year in the Life of the Marsh looks like. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Thank you PBS and NiSource for this amazing video and your partnership!
Some photos from Little River Wetlands Project's controlled burn at Eagle Marsh this afternoon.
Eagle Marsh felt the BURN 🔥 yesterday! It was a great prescribed burn that was made possible with the help of Blue Heron Ministries, A Land Trust. The burn helps remove invasive species and allow for stronger, John Gevers Photography Captured amazing photos and here are a few throughout the process.
LRWP is so excited about the amazing partnership with PBS Fort Wayne on the second video of the 3 video series sponsored NIPSCO and the NiSource Charitable Foundation. This will be playing between programs on PBS and on PBS Kids. We believe this 2nd video shows the rich history of the wetlands and how diverse the wildlife who depends on these wetlands is. It is our hope that the audience will see how LRWP came to be and aid in the preservation of the wetlands we have today.
Thank you PBS and NIPSCO and the Nisource Charitable Foundation for making this happen!
Plan you visit to see the beauty of the wetlands first hand! more information at www.lrwp.org
Did you know that one of America's major continental divides runs winds through the Hoosier State? This week's edition of Weather Wonders explains the significance of the St. Lawrence Divide.
Remember the video we posted a while back about Chorus frogs? Well, perhaps you've also been hearing Spring peepers out at Eagle Marsh! 🐸 These small frogs, known for their high-pitched chirping, emerge in early spring from their winter hibernation. Found near wetlands and wooded areas, Spring peepers are rarely seen, but during mating season, they are often heard. Spring peepers breed early in spring, calling on warm nights and in rainy weather. Their distinctive call resembles the sound of sleigh bells and is produced by males to attract females during mating season. Females lay eggs in vernal wetlands to avoid predators; this is one reason why our wetlands are so important. Next time you're out exploring at Eagle Marsh, keep an ear out for these tiny amphibians and appreciate the sound they bring to our environment! 🌿 #IndianaWildlife #SpringPeepers #visitfortwayne #WetlandsMatter #restoredwetland #LittleRiverWetlandsProject #EagleMarsh
Remember the video we posted a while back about Chorus frogs? Well, perhaps you've also been hearing Spring peepers out at Eagle Marsh!
These small frogs, known for their high-pitched chirping, emerge in early spring from their winter hibernation. Found near wetlands and wooded areas, Spring peepers are rarely seen, but during mating season, they are often heard.
Spring peepers breed early in spring, calling on warm nights and in rainy weather. Their distinctive call resembles the sound of sleigh bells and is produced by males to attract females during mating season. Females lay eggs in vernal wetlands to avoid predators; this is one reason why our wetlands are so important.
Next time you're out exploring at Eagle Marsh, keep an ear out for these tiny amphibians and appreciate the sound they bring to our environment!
Exciting research in action! Yesterday and today, Purdue Fort Wayne students are out at Eagle Marsh, gathering and identifying insects. Our preserves, like Eagle Marsh, provide an invaluable resource for universities to conduct hands-on research and enhance learning. These collaborative programs not only support academic studies but also give us greater insight into the biodiversity and activity happening in the marsh, helping us continue our mission to protect and restore these vital ecosystems.
! This is the last video of the series by PBS Fort Wayne made possible by NiSource. The series is a beautifully created to communicate and show the importance of wetlands. This video will run on PBS and show was a Year in the Life of the Marsh looks like. We hope you love it as much as we do!
Yesterday and today, Purdue Fort Wayne students are out at Eagle Marsh, gathering and identifying insects. Our preserves, like Eagle Marsh, provide an invaluable resource for universities to conduct hands-on research and enhance learning. These collaborative programs not only support academic studies but also give us greater insight into the biodiversity and activity happening in the marsh, helping us continue our mission to protect and restore these vital ecosystems.