Edinboro Lake Fen EarthCache

Edinboro Lake is the recreational hub for the borough of Edinboro, PA. Activities supported by the lake include fishing, boating, swimming and water skiing. However, the lake and surrounding wetlands are not only important for recreational purposes but also for ecological reasons. The lake and its watershed comprise a significant portion (approx 5%) of one of the most significant watersheds in Pennsylvania, the French Creek watershed. The lake has four major inlets (Conneautee Creek, Shenango Creek, Whipple Creek and Lakeside Run) and one major outlet (Conneautee Creek). The lake itself has a surface area of about 1 km2. The total watershed has an area of about 42 km2.

There are significant wetlands abutting Edinboro Lake, particularly on the north end. The aerial photograph taken from the French Creek Watershed Research Program website (see reference 1) shows the entire lake. The circled area, which is on the northeast shore of the lake is the subject of this cache. This is an important fen area which will be described below.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines four different basic types of wetlands (marsh, swamp, bog and fen). Fens are defined as “peat-forming wetlands that receive nutrients from sources other than precipitation: usually from upslope sources through drainage from surrounding mineral soils and from groundwater movement”.

The Edinboro Lake fen is an ecologically fragile shrub fen which is considered by the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy to be a “natural community of global significance”. This fen sits on glacial deposits which contain an abundance of calcite. As the groundwater percolates through this material it maintains a high pH level. This alkaline condition creates a rich environment for many rare and endangered species of plants. The Edinboro Lake fen supports at least 13 plants of special concern. These include: rush aster, cuckooflower, broad-winged sedge, lesser-panicled sedge, soft-leaved sedge, prairie sedge, slender spikerush, slender cotton-grass, small-headed rush, swamp fly-honeysuckle, leafy northern green orchid, autumn willow and river bulrush.

The property this fen sits on is privately owned, so no direct land access is possible. The owner understands the importance of this area and is committed to the conservation of this important ecological resource. Portions of the fen can be viewed up close in a small boat or from land by looking across a small inlet. This cache will take you to an area where you can view the northern most tip of the fen, and see it transition into a wooded area.

In order to get credit for this cache you must email answers to the following questions to the cache owner. You do not have to wait for a response before you log the cache but if the answers are not received within 2 days logging the find will be deleted.

At the cache site you can look north northeast across the inlet and see the northern tip of the fen area. If you look off to the left you will see where the fen begins to transition into a wooded area. Enjoy the cache.

1.) Describe the weather conditions on the day you are at the cache site.
2.) Describe what you see when you look across at the fen, or optionallly include a photo of the fen area in your email. Do not post the photo with your log..
3.) Why do you think the fact that the fen is privately owned might help to protect the ecological health of the area?
4.) At the cache site estimate the width of the inlet?
5.) At the cache site estimate the depth of the water near the shore?


REFERENCES:
French Creek Watershed Research Program
EPA Wetlands Definitions
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC). 2000. Summary report; health and management of the Edinboro Lake ecosystem. Report to Edinboro Regional Community Services, Inc.
Edinboro Lake Management Plan, Edinboro Lake Watershed Association, 2009