WELLS, SPRINGS, AND KETTLE HOLES

To the Editor:

It is the rain that falls upon Maxinkuckee Basin that supplies ALL of the water that gets into the lake, the myths about underground streams and deep water springs notwithstanding. And that Basin is small. Even so it consists of certain well defined areas.

The low lying flats the hill sides more or less eroded, and the important kettlehole areas. Start at Maxinkuckee Landing, observe the marshy flat, now drained; follow up the gullied valley eastward and continue to the top of the hill near the old frame school house, the next half mile eastward is kettle hole area and a good example of kettle hole is next to the road on the Everett Norris' farm.

Southeastward from the next hilltip the drainage is toward Mud Lake. By the kettle hole areas I mean those areas where the rainfall does not run off in gullies and creeks but soaks directly into the ground or collects in small ponds called kettle holes.

These kettle hole areas are for the most part near the brim of the Basin. A careful survey would probably show that their total areas is several hundred acres. The largest single area is about a half mile wide and extends from the neighborhood of the new airport in a southeastwardly direction about three miles.

A smaller area is southeast of the Washington school, another just south of the lake, another near the Lawton cemetery, and another just northwest of the Academy.

ALL of the rain that falls on these areas goes into the ground and supplies the water to keep the springs and flowing wells going, and most of the rain that falls on the hillsides runs off in a few days forming the winter and spring high water and the summer drouth.

These kettle hole areas are SO valuable to the lake that it is unfortunate to encroach on them, even to construct a new airport. These kettle hole areas supply the only water that gets into the lake during the rainless days of summer. Believe it or not.

Filtered through a mile or more of earth the water is pure and cold, the finest in the world. But I have heard that during the last few dry seasons the wells do not flow as freely as formerly, and that a few of the weakest springs have ceased to exist.

Is it possible that drainage in the kettle hole area is decreasing the supply of water for the springs and wells? Or am I just seeing things?

Yes, I am seeing things and they are real, and you can take it or leave it.

What I see is this: Fourther encroachment on kettle hole areas by drainage is a distinct menace to the best interests of the lake.

I believe that the evaporation surface of the lake should not be increased, that the lake level be left as nature made it, that the natural stream to Lost Lake should be opened up, that an intelligent survey of the Maxinkuckee Basin be made which survey should be the basis for future conservation of soil and water, and finally that whatever is done be done legally and with proper regards for the other fellow. Allen A. Norris, M. D., Elkhart, Ind.

The Culver Citizen , Apr 14, 1937