By Terry Gorney Lehman
The rain events in August that caused severe flooding in areas in the central part of the state call attention once again to the importance of wetlands.
Historically, approximately 25% of Indiana’s topography was wetlands and wet prairies. There were pockets all across the state, often associated with Indiana’s rivers and streams, but what is now Northwestern Indiana was home to the Grand Kankakee Marsh, known by many as the “Everglades of the North” because its size rivaled Florida’s well-known Everglades.
Now less than 4% of our state’s acreage is wetlands.
Thirty years ago, when the 1800-acre Limberlost Conservation Area (LCA) in Adams and Jay counties, which includes Limberlost Swamp Nature Preserve and Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve, was established, it was agricultural land that had been drained for crop production but was prone to flooding. Historically, it had been part of the Limberlost Swamp written about by Gene Stratton Porter. If it were still agricultural land, the crops in these areas would have been mostly lost to a rain event like what occurred during the storms of August.
Since its restoration to wetlands, the conservation area has done what it was created for, which was to have a place for the water to go. The wetlands act like a sponge and release water slowly. The dense wetland plantings also hold the soil in place, preventing erosion.
Wildlife also benefits. Shorebirds and waterfowl are attracted to these areas. The LCA had at least 24 great egrets, 2 little blue herons, and 2 black-necked stilts along with other shorebirds and waterfowl during August, 2026. With fall migration beginning, the wetlands are good places for birds searching for a place to rest and feed.
In 2024, Indiana passed the House Enrolled Act 1383 (HEA 1383) which rolled back protections on wetlands. This legislation was a great disappointment to conservationists. A second bill, Senate Enrolled Act 246 (SEA 246) did provide tax incentives for wetland preservation. Both laws went into effect on July 1, 2024. Perhaps this and future rain events will convince legislators that HEA 1383 should be revisited.
Learn more about Indiana’s wetlands and remember to celebrate World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2027!
