Natural areas survey

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Coastal Zone
Information
Center

epartment of
atural

esources

NATURAL AREAS SURVEY

VOLUME ONEASHTABULA COUNTY

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Department of Natural Resources
Division of Water

NATURAL AREAS SURVEY
VOLUME ONE:ASHTABULA COUNTY
(Volume one of a several volume series for the Ohio
Shoreland Management Environmental Areas Survey)

prepared by

Ted. Walton and Christine Kasslemann

April, 1977

This publication is financed in part by a federal
K
rant from the Office of Coastal Zone Management,
lational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
under the provision of Section 305 of the Coastal
Zone Management Act of 1972 (P L. 92-583).

JAMES A. RHODES, Governor ROBERT W. TEATER, Director WAYNE S. NICHOLS, Chief

PREFACE

In August and September of 1976 two staff members of the Coastal Zone

Management Unit conducted surveys of thirteen scenic areas, marshes, wood-

lands, beaches and streams found within 1,000 meters of the Lake Erie shore-

line in Ashtabula County. This report presents a compilation of those sur-

veys for the purpose of public review. It is a publication of the Ohio

Shoreland,Management Unit funded in part through a federal grant from the

Office of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-

mini5trationg under the provision of Section 305 of the Coastal Zone Manage-

ment Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-583).

INTRODUCTION

The Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 provides financial assistance

to coastal states to develop programs for management of coastal resources.

As a state bordering Lake Erie, Ohio has been receiving federal assistance

since it established its own Shoreland Management Unit in 1974.
The law recognizes that' the coasts and Great Lakes shores of our nation

support many unique and valuable natural resources. It requires the states

to identify certain areas of special significance and to make provisions for

11preserving or restoring them for their conservation, recreational, ecological

or aesthetic values".

The Ohio Shoreland Management Unit's second year work program includes

several projects to identify and study these significant areas, referred to

as Geographic Areas of Particular Concern. These areas include but are not

limited to wetlands, harbors, severe hazard areas, open spaces along the Lake,

beaches, dunes, historic and archeologic sites, and sites for regional fac-

ilities (major industries, power plants, etc.). To ensure citizen input

into the determination of geographic areas of particular concern, a nomination

form has been prepared for widespread distribution to the public which will

allow individuals to nominate areas of particular concern.

The first year program identified natural areas, severe hazard areas,

and historical and archeological sites while this year's program is geared

toward more specific analysis of these critical areas.

This years program included a detailed environmental areas program, an

investigation of land ownership patterns, and other studies related to

critical shoreland resources, such as oil and gas, fisheries, islands, flood-

plains, erosion areas, and mineral resources. After completion of these

analyses, specific management policies will be developed and incorporated

into the proposed shoreland management plan.

One of the analyses, the Environmental Areas Program, includes an in-

ventory of scenic areas, marshes, woodlands, beaches, and tributary streams

of the lake shore region. This report represents a summarization of the

inventory for the 1,000 meter shoreland area of Ashtabula County. This report

includes maps, aerial photos, and narratives describing each of the 13 sites

investigated in the county. A field survey procedure and evaluation form

provides a quick and objective qualative assessment of each area surveyed.

Work on the Environmental Areas Program began in the summer of 1976 with

several preliminary field surveys of the area, followed by mapping of pro-

perty ownership for the seven shoreline counties where unmanaged natural

areas still exist (Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, Erie, Lorain, Lake and Ashabula).

Available information on properties along estuaries, marshes and beach areas

were mapped and recorded. The task of surveying and evaluating a number of

natural areas of diverse topography, vegetation and qualitative character

presents a problem. Evaluations of such areas usually reflect to some ex-

tent the subjective response of the surveyor. Therefore, in addition to

a written evaluation for each site, eventual ranking of the areas in order

of their natural scenic values required a standard form. Such standard

evaluations have been used before by other states in their natural areas

and coastal zone management programs. Thus, devising such an evaluation

form required refining other systems into one practical for the Lake Erie

region. After completing ownership maps and field evaluation forms, more

intensive site investigations began. Ashtabula County was completed in

December. Work on Ottawa and Lucas Counties is now underway; Sandusky, Erie,

Lorain and Lake Counties will be surveyed and evaluated in the spring.

vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface

Introduction v

Areas surveyed I

Map of areas surveyed (potential natural areas) 2

Write-up of areas 3-28

AREAS SURVEYED

Property Map Location Number

Vinney - Eisner - Isaac I
Konold 2
Palmer Drive 3
Indian Creek 4
Cleveland Electric Illuminating 5
Booth 6
Hamilton Corporation 7
Rutter, Carmondy 8
Moreland Club 9
DiVittorio 10
DiVittorio - Camp Calvary 11
West of Turkey Creek (U.S. Steel) 12
Turkey Creek (U.S. Steel) 13

9
Map of Areas Surveyed 8
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SITE # 1: VINNEY, EISNER, AND ISAAC PROPERTY

Surveyed September 14, 1976 and located just east
of the southeastern corner of Geneva State Park

This property totals 230 acres of which approximately the northern one-
third is in a golf course which Mr. Vinney and Mr. Eisner lease out to Par-
Wins Inc. Approximately 75 acres of the remaining area were surveyed and
several areas are discussed separately because of their varying nature.

Access was easy from the west side of State Route 534. This is an area
of about 10 acres between 534 and Cowles Creek with generally flat terrain.
The soils in this portion of the property belong to the Conneaut and Platea
silt loam series with seasonal wetness and slow permeability. The woods are
fairly dense, with most trees measuring approximately 1/2 to 2 inches dbh.
There are approximately 25 trees per acre which exceed 6 inches dbh. The
canopy is primarily Northern Red Oak, Chestnut Oak, Sugar Maple and White
Ash, while the understory contains seedlings of these species as well as
Sassafras , Chokecherry and young Slippery Elm. Some portions of this area
may be flooded periodically since there was a certain amount of dried mud
and vegetative debris.

Cowles Creek cuts across the western edge of this property about 1,000
feet from the road and runs from southeast to northwest. In this area the
stream is approximately 20 feet wide and quite slow moving. The floodplain
is broader to the east than to the west, where the rise is fairly sharp up
to the area described above. Bottom materials of the stream are silt and
shale particles. Soils of the floodplain are of the Orrville silt loam
type. These soils are silty loam and, deeper, loam overlying shale bedrock
at a depth of 43 inches. The stream runs through an area of shale outcroppings
which rise to more than 10 feet at the southern edge of the property. The
shale is overlain with thin, moist, erodable soils. To the north the stream
narrows to about 10 feet and runs more swiftly. The shale outcroppings are
about six,feet in height at this northern edge of the property. Numerous
raccoon tracks were seen here.

Across the stream to the east approximately 50 acres were surveyed.
It appeared that to the east, the topography and vegetation was fairly uni-
form past the immediate stream area. Conneaut soils predominate. Near the
stream poison ivy dominates on sandy soils of low organic content. The
canopy contains Sugar Maple, Northern Red Oak and American Hornbeam, while
the understory is primarily Chokecherry and Sassafras Farther from the
stream the forest is denser and more mature (about 200 small trees and 50
large [., 6" dbh] trees per acre). This area begins to slope gently towards
the southeast where there is a dry stream bed.

The dominant canopy species here are Sugar Maple, White Ash, North-
ern Red Oak and Tulip Poplar. Seedlings of these species as well as
Sassafras , Chokecherry and Sweet Crabapple dominate the understory.
Proceeding up the gently sloping terrain (5%) to the east and then to
the south one encounters increasing amounts of Tulip Poplar until this
species and Sugar Maple are the two dominant species in both the canopy
and understory. Many songbirds were noted here as well as deer tracks
in several areas; one deer was seen along the densely thicketed dry
stream bed.

In general the area is pleasant and fairly diverse, particularly
along the stream. However, even at the farthest point reached, highway
traffic noise was still audible. The critical issue is the tenuous na-
ture of the ownership combined with the proximity of the property to
Geneva State Park. In a phone conversation with Max Eisner it was found
that the area is not subject to any zoning restrictions and that the
owners may consider any type of development, preferably recreation or
camping. Mr. Eisner also indicated he has considered selling the pro-
perty, either for development or preservation. He and Mr. Vinney have
been in contact with the State but Outdoor Recreation Planning Ser-
vices is not particularly interested since the property lies opposite
a State highway from the existing park.

Vegetation

Northern Red Oak
Chestnut Oak
Sugar Maple
White Ash
Sassafrass
Chokecherry
Slippery Elm
American Hornbeam
Tulip Poplar
Sweet Crabapple

SITE # 2: KONOLD PROPERTY

Surveyed September 14, 1976 and located
112 mile east of Geneva on the Lake
and 112 mile west of Indian Creek

The area surveyed is approximately five acres, the western portion owned
by Dr. Konold. The eastern portion of his property includes his personal
residence and several homes which he rents out on a short term basis. The
area in question is reached by car on Lake Street which runs to the bluff
area at the eastern edge of the property. It is then a short climb down a
15 foot bluff to the beach.

The beach area itself is approximately 20 feet wide along the entire
length of about 150 feet. It consists of sand and coarser pebble materials.
There is a small dock, and pilings were driven in the past for piers but
were never used. Through conversations with several persons, it was found
that the beach floods to the bluffs each evening. The western edge of the
beach, on adjacent property, has been diked.

The bluff area begins to rise about 70 feet from the eastern edge of
the beach area. It rises to about 15 or 20 feet at the eastern extreme
where it closes off the beach and juts almost to the water's edge. The
bluff is considered to be at the western extreme of the critical erosion
stretch in Ashtabula County. Its composition is glacial till overlain
with clay and sandy lacustrine deposits. Typical vegetation along the
bluff tops are grasses, chickory, wild mustard, primrose, and milkweed. At
the lower edge of the bluff to the west, wild grapes and hawthorne dominate
in the understory while the canopy consists of White Ash, cottonwood, Northern
Red Oak, and Sugar Maple. Just west of the bluff there is a cleared area
that is sandy and has apparently been used for campfires. There is an
area of tall (10 foot) Phragmites just adjacent to this.

From the Konold property there is a very slight grassy slope down to
the stream which is at the extreme western edge of the property. For approxi-
mately its 300 foot length the stream is dominated by cattails and arrowheads.
The soil is covered by approximately six inches of water in an area about
20 to 30 feet in width. The soil here and along the floodplain is the Holly
silt loam type. It consists primarily of loamy alluvium ranging from 18 to
30 inches in thickness overlying the contrasting glacial material. At this
time there is sand accumulation back from the lake to nearly 30 feet and
the stream is not flowing into the lake. This area supports willows and
several fallen oak trees.

The bank to the west rises more quickly than that to the east, about
30% compared to 10%. This area is dominated by cutgrass, burdock, golden-
rod, yarrow, impatiens, thistle and chickory. There are also cottonwoods

and Northern Red Oak on the slope. A number of woodpeckers, crows, blue
jays, catbirds as well as one belted kingfisher were observed in this area.
At the water's edge, frogs, spring peepers, dragonflies, backswimmers
and numerous other insects were observed. Soils on these slopes are of
the Steep Land type. They are mostly well drained loamy soils overlying
glacial till. The root zone is moderately deep to deep and the erosion
hazard is severe.

The stream is culverted approximately 300 feet south of the lake.
The area south of the culvert and just north of State Route 531 is generally
more open and less aesthetically appealing. It is primarily dominated
by Staghorn Sumac. To the south of Route 531, the area is primarily
privately owned residential.

This is a pleasant site, although very small. The beach is quiet,
scenic and fairly easily accessible.

Vegetation

Chickory Cattail
Wild Mustard Arrowhead
Primrose Cutgrass
Milkweed Burdock
Wild Grape Goldenrod
Hawthorne Yarrow
White Ash Impatiens
Cottonwood Thistle
Northern Red Oak Staghorn Sumac
Sugar Maple Willow
Phragmites

SITE # 3: PALMER DRIVE, GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE

Surveyed September 14, 1976 and located
1/2 mile east of Geneva-on-the-Lake,
112 mile west of Indian Creek,
1/4 mile south of Konold property

This area is approached from the west on an unimproved dirt road,
Lakeview Drive, from State Route 531. This road serves as a boundary
between the wooded area to the north and a several acre lake to the
south. It appears that an intermittent stream running through the
area has been dammed and diverted in places to create the lake, which
has taken on a very manicured residential appearance. To the north
of Lakeview Drive and the lake, the intermittent stream is developing
into an overgrown marshy area. From the road the area looks and sounds
appealing; a number of songbirds were noted in the vegetation. The
vegetation along this southern edge is very dense wild grape, deadly
nightshade, staghorn sumac and willows. The stream itself cannot be
approached from the road due to this dense foilage; it must be ap-
proached from the east through Gerald Arkkelin's residential property.

From the east the land slopes about 20% down to the stream and
marsh area. On this slope, as well as on the slope to the west, the
dominant canopy vegetation is Sugar Maple, Shagbark Hickory and Northern
Red Oak, with some White Ash. The understory contains chokecherry,
wild grape, staghorn sumac and seedlings of the canopy species. The
soils on the slope are of the Platea Series, loamy and somewhat poorly
drained. The existence of a fragipan and slow permeability are char-
acteristic of this series. There is some litter evidence along the
eastern border of the woods.

In the bottoms, there is a dense cover of touch-me-nots, deadly
nightshade, and smartweed, which makes passage extremely difficult.
The waterlogged soils and stream area is about 40 feet wide and is
dominated by cattails and arrowheads. The dominant soil is Holly silt
loam, consisting primarily of loamy alluvium overlying glacial materials.
The area is much more open and less appealing than it appears to be
from the road. Mosquitoes are a definite problem in this area.

As stated before, the area appears to be more appealing from the
southern boundary than it does from its interior. The mosquitoes and
difficulty of passage were a definite drawback. The small size of the
area, low diversity of vegetation, and the offsite noise, result in a
less than pleasant site.

SITE # 4: INDIAN CREEK AND REACH

Surveyed September 8, 1976 and
located about 1/3 mile west of
Myers Road along Route 531 -

Access to the beach along Lake Erie and Indian Creek north of Route 531
is by an unimproved road located just east of Indian Creek. The road ends
about 150-200 feet north of Route 531 at the beach berm. The soils, which
are in the floodplain and low area of the creek, are the Orrville Silt
Loam.

The area east of the creek where there is an unimproved road has been
filled. It extends about 50 feet from Indian Creek east for about 250 feet.
There are numerous depressions within the filled area that have vegetation
characteristic of shallow marshes and wooded swamps. This filled area
extends from the beach berm south about 100 feet. Along the beach berm
there are numerous large willows.

Along Indian Creek are the Orrville Silt Loam soils which are nearly
level to depressional. These soils are subject to ponding and are deep
and poorly drained. They occur along the low areas of the creek floodplain
and have a seasonal high water table nearly the same level as the creek.
They support a wooded swamp vegetative community. Numerous birds were seen
while investigating this area. There is evidence of the effects of the
high lake levels changing the vegetative community in the low areas.

The Orrville Silt Loam soils also occur south of Route 531 on the east
side of the creek extending about 150 yards. This area has a variety of
arrowhead, grasses, sedges, rushes and trees characteristic of wooded swamps.

On the west side of Indian Creek extending from Lake Erie south back
into the watershed are the Steep Land Loamy soils. These soils occur along
the creek with a slope ranging from 18-40% depending on location. The soil
material is loamy and mostly well drained with severe erosion hazard. This
soil also occurs to the east about 150 yards beyond the creek. The rise
in elevation is more gradual than it was to the west, approximately 18-25%.

The beach consists of sand, rocks and other coarse materials washed
up by the waves and eroding glacial till. To the south and west of the
beach beyond the floodplain is an escarpment rising about 30 feet. The
beach is fairly wide, about 50 feet, and its length is about 600 feet.
To the west it continues to Geneva State Park from what local people say.
There is good access to the beach and it is used extensively for swimming
and fishing by people who don't want to pay for their recreation at Geneva
State Park.

The beach at Indian Creek is ideal for swimming and other water-related
recreation. Although there is a considerable amount of development in the
water shed, the area still harbors many species of birds found only in
wetlands.

Except for the litter along the beach, the area is aesthetically
pleasing and has much to offer in the way of water related recreation.
This area should have some type of protection to keep it open to the public.

Dominant vegetation types found:

White Ash Red Maple
Willow Sugar Maple
Basswood Cherry
Mulberry Hickory
Red Oak
White Oak Water Horsetail
Alder Arrowhead
Cattail

SITE # 5: CLEVELAND ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING

Surveyed September 8, 1976 and located
about one mile west of Route 193 along
Route 531 in North Kingsville

This property is quite substantial in size (several thousand acres) and
due to our immediate interest and time involved the area surveyed was along
the creek and adjacent area. North of Route 531 along the intermittent
creek are the Orrville silt loam soils. These soils are somewhat poorly
drained and nearly level to depressional and occupy the low areas along the
creek flood plain. This area is heavily vegetated with willow and other
bottomland species.

The next soil type is the Steep land loamy which borders along the
Orrville silt loam. These soils occupy the relatively steep slopes rising
from the creek with a slope ranging between 20-30%. These soils are mostly
well drained with severe erosion hazard. This area has many cottonwood
saplings and other grasses.

Beyond the steep land loamy soils are the Claverack loamy fine sand
soils. These are moderately well drained with a sandy upper layer about
20-36" thick. They are nearly level and infiltration of water is rapid.
They are heavily vegetated with pole size to mature trees beyond the
cleared area about 150 feet from the creek.

To the south of Route 531 along the creek and adjacent areas are
the same soil groups except for the presence of the Conneaut silt loam
series. This series is present beyond the Claverack loamy fine sand and
the Steep land loamy to the east. These, the Conneaut silt loam soils
are deep, poorly drained and nearly level with a seasonal high water
table for long periods.

The area along the east side of the creek is heavily wooded with
bottomland species for about 150 feet, then there is a sharp rise in
elevation about 50 feet where the vegetation is very dense and char-
acteristic of the types found on well drained soils. The area to the
west of the creek south of Route 531 has a sharp rise in elevation
(about 60 feet) at the bank. This area has a very dense understory
and mature trees throughout the area surveyed. There are a few stands
of hemlock on the area west of the creek in the steep land soils area.

There is good beach access on either side of the creek. An old
road runs down to the beach on the west side of the creek. This area is
good for fishing and swimming, and would be good boating if launch ramps
were installed. High bluffs rise above the beach on either side about
40-50 feet with severe erosion evident. At present the beach is narrow
and consists of sand and other coarse materials.

This area is very impressive as a natural area. The diversity of
plant and animal communities and the natural unspoiled character of the
area warrent its protection. The creek is natural and unaltered except
where Route 531 crosses it. It plays a vital role in the life cycle
of anadromous fishes and other wildlife in the area.

Dominant vegetation types found are as follows:

Willow
Basswood
Cottonwood
Cherry
White Ash
Pignut Hickory
Hemlock
Pin Oak
Red Oak
Beech
Birch
Tulip Poplar
Red Maple

SITE # 6: BOOTH PROPERTY

Surveyed September 8, 1976 and located Just
north of the intersection at Route 531 and
193 in the town of North Kingsville

The soils at the entrance of the Booth property are the Platea Silt
Loam which have a slope between 2-6%. These soils are found along the knoll
bordering the Steep Land Loamy soils which border on an intermittent creek.
These soils, the Platea Silt Loam, have an old orchard with successional
vegetation and other species of trees showing dominance. The Steep Land
Loamy soils occupy slopes ranging from 18-50% along the creek. Erosion
hazard is severe with gullying occurring on exposed soils.

The creek flows through the Holly Silt Loam soils which make up the
floodplain area of the creek. These soils are nearly level and poorly
drained with bottomland type vegetation. The creek bottom varies from
stony to muddy depending.on location. About 150 feet from Lake Erie the
creek starts to pool forming a pond about 15-20 feet wide with many logs
and other floating debris in it. The creek is a very slow flowing body
of water with very dense underbrush in the floodplain. The floodplain
is fairly narrow being about 100-200 feet wide with a 30-50 foot bluff
or escarpment on both sides of it.

At the mouth of the creek is beach about 25 feet wide. It is com-
posed of sand, rocks, and other coarse materials washed up by the waves.
The beach has much debris in the form of dead trees, concrete blocks and
litter. There is a fairly steep escarpment, bordering the beach beyond
the floodplain of the creek rising about 60 feet.

This area between Route 531 and Lake Erie is used very little and the
natural qualities and diversity of the area will improve in time. The
evidence of past land use activity is still visible. The lake front is
of low aesthetic quality due to the debris along the beach. This area
has potential for a natural area but at the present time other areas have
a higher priority.

Vegetation types found in the area:

Pin Oak Willow
Red Oak Apple
White Oak Basswood
Red Maple Hemlock
Ash Beech
Alder Tulip Poplar
Cherry

SITE # 7: HAMILTON PROPERTY

Surveyed September 8, 1976 and located
1 112 miles west of Poor Road
south of Route 531 in North Kingsville

Entrance to the Hamilton property is along the west side of Buck
Lake south of Route 531 in North Kingsville. The soils bordering the
pond are Steep land loamy. These soils along the pond have a steep
slope ranging from 18 to 50% along its shore depending on location. The
erosion hazard in this area is severe and the soil is loamy and mostly
well drained. There is an elevation change of about 20 feet from the
pond to the next soil group which is relatively level ground. The
dominant vegetation associations found on these soils are tulip poplar,
red oak, black oak, and white oak.

The soils adjacent to the Steep land loamy are the Platea silt loam.
The slope of this area is about 2-6% and the soils are seasonally satur-
ated. They are found along the knolls and short slopes along the drain-
age way of the creek. The vegetation associations found here are tulip
poplar, red oak, sugar maple, white ash, and red maple. The trees in
these soils and the Steep land loamy are very large with DBH ranging
from sapling size in the open understory to 3 feet diameter. Further
west the understory is very dense with saplings and mature trees. There
are some localized spots with hemlocks, moss, and beech which are not
found in any other area on this property.

The soils found at the southeast portion in the creek bottom are
the Pierpont and Platea soils. These two soils are the same except for
the difference in natural drainage. The Platea soils are somewhat poorly
drained while the Pierpont soils are moderately well drained. This area
has slopes between 12-18% and the soils are of the Silt loam to Cl'ay
loam consistency. The vegetation stands of these soils are similar to
the other soils previously mentioned.

Further west 150-200 feet from Buck Lake and the creek are the
Conneaut silt loam soils. These soils are nearly level to level through-
out the remainder of this tract of land. There is seasonal wetness
and slow permability in these soils with low knolls and depressions.
The Conneaut silt loam soils have many different vegetative communities.
In the depressions and extremely wet areas there are mosses, grasses
and sedges. On the drier soils are early successional communities re-
verting back to forest with certain species being grouped in plots (with
clumping of specific species). This area has good ground cover for wild-
life, especially to the east where mature trees provide an abundance of
food for squirrels.

Buck Lake is the result of damming the intermittent creek south of
Route 531. Euthrophication is occurring as evidenced by algal blooms.
This would possibly be caused by housing on the southeast side of the
lake and its tributary. A considerable amount of aquatic life is pre-
sent. No beach or swimming area exists, however, to the north of Route
531 is the overflow of Buck Lake which flows through Steep land loamy
soils. This area is heavily wooded with very steep slopes. There is
a road to the west of the creek that provides access to Lake Erie but
no beach of any size exists.

This area is very impressive as a natural area. The diversity of
plant and animal communities, the different successional communities
exhibited and the overall aesthetic appeal warrants its preservation.

Dominant vegetation types found are as follows:

White Ash Cottonwood
Cherry Sassafras
Black Cherry Locust
Red Oak White Hazle
Black Oak Hemlock
White Oak Beech
Tulip Poplar Yellow Birch
Red Maple Willow
Sugar Maple Fern
Grasses Moss
Sedger Golden Rod
Rushes Lycopodium

Wildlife present:

Turtles
Frogs
Squirrels
Fish
Many Species of Birds
Evidence of Deer and Racoon

SITE # 8: RUTTER, CARMONDY PROPERTY

Surveyed September 8, 1976 and located
about 3/4 of a mile west of Poor Road
in North Kingsville north of Route 531

Rutter, Carmondy property is located west of Spruce Road and north
of Lake Road. The area inventoried is representative of most of the land
in Ashtabula County between Lake Erie and Route 531. They are subject
to development pressure due to their location along the lake and proximity
to major cities.

The eastern portion of this property is cleared, about 5 of the 41
acres. It borders the heavily wooded section to the west. The soils
in the area west of the planned development are Kingsville Fine Sandy
Loam. These soils are poorly drained with a high water table and during
winter and spring the water table is at the surface, this is evidenced
by the vegetation.

Along the Lake there is a beach consisting of sand and other coarse
materials. The width varies from 10-30 feet. A fairly steep escarpment
borders the beach rising about 60 feet. There is an unimproved road
leading to the beach from the top of the escarpment. The soils in this
area are the Steep Land Loamy. These soils follow the lake shore and
stream bottoms whose slope range from 18-50%. They are well drained and
the erosion hazard is severe.

The entire area with the exception of the five acres cleared for
development are wooded. Further west about 150 yards from Spruce Road
.the area is heavily wooded with an intermittent creek. The creek cuts
a steep narrow bank about 20 feet deep through the Steep Land Loamy soils
close to the Lake. This area has a dense understory with vegetation
characteristic of these moist soils. Further southwest in the Colonel
Loamy Fine Sands soils the area is relatively level with an open under-
story and vegetation characteristics of well drained soils.

Approximately 250 yards from the intermittent creek is another
intermittent creek cutting through the Steep Land Loamy soils with con-
siderable erosion. This creek cuts about 20-25 feet into the soil forming
a steep bluff to the west. To the east the slope varies between 10-30%
with many seepage spots on the slopes and sinks or depressions throughout
the immediate area. The creek bottom changes from sandy to muddy with
rocks resulting from the glacial till found beneath the Steep Land Loamy
soils. To the west of the bluff there is a narrow buffer of forest
vegetation (10-20 feet wide) bordering on private property.

Proceeding south along the east side of the creek the area is covered
extensively with vines which makes access from Route 531 almost impossible.

This is a very pleasant natural area with beach access, open area,
and wooded area. The view of Lake Erie from the bluff is very impressive
too. This is an ideal location for picnicing, swimming, and hiking. As
of yet there has been no development occurring on the property.

Dominant vegetation types found are as follows:

Ferns Sweet Gum
Astes Tulip Poplar
Golden Rod Blackgum
Mullen Ash
Red Oak Hickory
Red Maple Locust
Sugar Maple Basswood
White Pine Yellow Birch
Virginia Pine Sassafras
Black Tupelo Cherry

SITE # 9: MORELAND CLUB NATURAL AREA

Surveyed September 2, 1976 and
located north of Lake Road
1/2 mile west of Poor Road

Moreland Club Natural Area is approximately 60 acres of land that is
held in common ownership by the residents on either side of the area. It
has a unique geology and is protected indefinitely. This area is used
for its trail system, beach access and scenic spots. There is no soils
description because this area is protected indefinitely.

This natural area follows the creek bottom and adjacent land forming
a wide buffer with high bluffs rising about 50 feet on either side. This
area has a unique geology with islands rising about 30 feet above the
creek. This feature is very impressive due to the height of these islands
and the vegetation types found in the area.

The creek has a tributary flowing from the east which has a sandy
to rocky bottom. About 50 yards up the tributary there is an unimproved
road crossing it which goes to the lake front. This road provides access
to the beach which is about 15 to 20 feet wide with a high escarpment to
the south and both sides of the creek. The road has been washed out where
it crosses the tributary and provides access for residents of Moreland
Club only.

The main points of interest in this area are the islands formed by
the creek, the high bluffs creating an almost gorge type condition, scenic
view of Lake Erie, and the vegetation found in this area. This area is
very unique and is protected.

Dominant vegetation types found:

Sugar Maple Walnut
Hemlock Beech
Ash Red Oak
American Basswood Sassafras
Tulip Poplar Fern
Cherry Mayapple

SITE # 10: DIVITTORIO PROPERTY

Surveyed September 2, 1976 and located in
North Kingsville, north of Lake Road about
1,500 feet west of Conneaut Corporate Boundary

The DiVittorio Property borders to the west of Camp Calvary on an
intermittent creek which cuts through an area of the Steep Land Loamy soils.
The slope is relatively steep ranging from 20-50% on either side of the creek
as it approaches the lake. The soil material is loamy and mostly well
drained with severe erosion which forms a deep gully about 20-40 feet deep.
Glacial till lies beneath the soil series which is evident throughout the
area. The creek has a muddy to sandy bottom depending on the location
and has leachate from a sanitary land fill south of the area. Most of the
trees have been removed along the west slope and pioneer vegetation has
set in.

To the west of the creek between Lake Road and Lake Erie is the Colonie
Loamy, fine sand soil series. These soils are well drained and mostly level
with few trees. As you proceed westward from the creek for about 100 yards
the area is open with few trees and succession is being held by mowing.

Approaching the lake through the creek bottom is a sandy beach which
consists of sand and other coarse materials. The beach averages between
15-30 feet wide with a steep escarpment about 60-70 feet high to the south.
To the west of the creek entering Lake Erie about 175 yards is a jetty.

This area has a very impressive view of Lake Erie since it is located
60-70 feet above the waters. The view from the beach is impressive too but
with more of a secluded feeling. There are no historical notes or signifi-
cant areas for wildlife.

This area should be preserved if possible to provide public access
to the scenic wonders of Lake Erie because there is development pressure
on all sides.

Vegetation

Black Locust Hickory
Sassafras White Oak
Sugar Maple, Red Maple Gray Birch
Yellow Poplar White Birch
Black and Red Oak Ash
Cottonwood

SITE # 11: DIVITTORIO CAMP CALVARY PROPERTY

Surveyed September 8, 1976 and located in
North Kingsville between Lake Road and Gore Road
about 1,600 feet west of where
Gore Road and Penn Central Railroad crosses

The DiVittorio Camp Calvary Property has a well developed trail
system with the main trail entrance about 1,600 feet west of the inter-
section of Gore Road and Penn Central tracts. The soils found here
are Colonie loamy fine sands sloping northward between 2-6%. These
soils are well drained and heavily wooded with trees ranging in dia-
meter from seedling size to 2 feet.

Further north about 50 yards from Gore Road on the trail is a
swampy area that is characteristic of most upland wooded swampy areas
with 3-6 inches of standing water. The soils in this area are the
Kingsville fine sandy loam which are poorly drained with a high water
table and during winter and spring the water table is commonly at the
surface. There is a creek flowing through this area which has a
reddish tint probably due to a sanitary landfill south of the area.
This is the same intermittent creek that flows through the DiVittorio
property across Lake Road..

The path parallels the creek about mid-way into the area following
the Steep land loamy soils. These soils have a moderate slope without
severe erosion or gullying. The creek flows through the area to Lake
Road with soil erosion being very stable due'to the dense vegetation.

Elnora loamy fine sand soils are found west of the creek, beyond
the Kingsville fine sandy loam. This soil consists of sandy, nearly
level to gentle sloping soils that are moderately well drained. The
Willette muck soils are found east of the creek about 50 yards and
south of Gore Road about 100 yards. These soils are very poorly
drained, formed in an accumulation of partly decomposed saturated
vegetative materials mixed with variable amounts of minerals. These
soils have a continuously high water table which makes this area ideal
for skunk cabbage, yellow birch, striped maple and their associated
species.

This area is very impressive as a natural area. The trail system,
diversity of plant and animal communities, different habitat communities
and overall aesthetic appeal warrent its preservation.

Dominant vegetation types found are as follows:

Locust Chestnut Oak
Cherry Red Oak
Shagbark Hickory Yellow Birch
Tulip Poplar Striped Maple
Red Maple Ferns
Sugar Maple Lycopodium
Sassafras Selaginella
Hemlock Skunk Cabbage
Ash
Beech

SITE # 12: U.S. STEEL PROPERTY

Surveyed September 2, 1976, this scenic
area and creek is located north of Lake
Road about 1/2 mile west of Turkey Creek

Access to this area is by a trail running north of Lake Road through
the Elnora loamy fine sand soil series. This soil consists of sandy, nearly
level to gentle sloping land from 1 to 5 percent. These soils are moderately
well drained with the following vegetation stands: white oak, black oak,
red oak, and sugar maple.

North of Lake Road in the creek bottom and adjacent slopes is the Steep
land loamy series. The slopes range from 18 to 30 percent going northward
to the lake escarpment. The soil material is mostly well drained with
glacial till at a greater depth. The erosion hazard is severe and bare
areas are gullied, exposing some shale. The dominant vegetation stands
are tulip poplar, red oak, and black oak. On top of the bluff to the
west of the creek and south of the lake escarpment is the Claverack
loamy fine sand soils. They are moderately well drained with the following
vegetation stands: tulip poplar, red oak, black oak, and white oak.

The beach is north of the escarpment and is about 10-20 feet wide
depending on location. The length of the beach is about 85 yards and
is composed of mainly coarse materials and sands washed up by the waves
along the shore and the glacial till from the escarpment.

This area is quite scenic with a well developed trail system leading
to the lake. The interior is heavily wooded with large and small diameter
trees and an open understory. The creek is intermittent with a rocky
to sandy bottom as it cuts through the soils making access moderately
difficult at different stretches of the creek due to the steep slopes.
Along the lake there is a beach which is used for picnicing, tent camping,
and fishing. This is an unspoiled natural area and is quite scenic by
trail access only.

This area should be preserved if possible due to its inheritant scenic,
aesthetic, and natural qualities which this area maintains.

Dominant vegetation types

Sugar Maple
Hickory
Cherry
Black Walnut
Hawthorn
Red Oak
Black Oak
Willow
Basswood

SITE # 13: TURKEY CREEK

Surveyed September 2, 1976 and located
north of Lake Road about three quarters
of a mile west of the Pennsylvania-Ohio Boundary

The land surrounding Turkey Creek is a floodplain about 100 yards
wide with a 30-40 foot high escarpment on each side. The soil series
of the creek and floodplain is the Orrville silt loam formed in the
sediments washed from uplands. These soils are deep, somewhat poorly
drained, nearly level which are subject to flooding. They have a
high seasonal water table which is about the same Tevel as that of
Turkey Creek.

The soil series along the escarpment to the east and west of the
creek is the Steep land loamy soils. The soils material is loamy and
mostly well drained with slopes ranging from 30 to 50%. The erosion
hazard is severe along the escarpment facing Lake Erie and heavily
vegetated facing Turkey Creek with a dense understory.

South of Lake Road the creek is about 20 feet wide wit h thick
underbrush on either side creating an extensive wooded swamp condition
with its associated vegetation types. The soils in this area are the
Orrville silt loam. Beyond these soils, to the east and west are the
Steep land loamy soils rising about 30-40 feet above the creek. These
soils are heavily vegetated with a fairly open understory.

The beach consists of sand and other coarse materials washed up
by the waves and eroding bluffs. It is almost a continuous strip along
the shore of Lake Erie and a fairly steep escarpment borders the beach.
The beach at Turkey Creek is used for launching of boats, swimming, and
fishing. The view from Lake Road is very pleasant of the creek, willow
,trees along the creek, the sandy beach, and Lake Erie. Turkey Creek
is an unspoiled area with a cold water stream classification, shrub
swamp, wooded swamp habitat and the area being unusually scenic.

The area between Lake Erie and Lake Road is used intensively for
boat launching, camping, swimming and fishing. The area has withstood
the intense use without noticable damage with exception to litter.

This area should be preserved if possible due to its inheritant
scenic, aesthetic, and natural qualities which this area maintains.

Dominant vegetation types:

Willow Cottonwood
Locust Cherry
Red Maple Grasses
Ash Cattail
Sumac Aster
Walnut Goldenrod
Red Oak Arrowhead
Pin Oak

(DDNR
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Fountain Square - Columbus, Ohio 43224
JAMES A. RHODES, Gov*ernor - ROBERT W. TEATER, Director

3 6 8 14109 7768
low