Galena Moraine Biological Reserve

The Galena Moraine Biological Reserve is situated in LaPorte County Indiana on the Valparaiso Moraine. The Valparaiso Moraine is a terminal glacial moraine which is characterized by irregular topography forming gentle swell and swale.  Elevation at the Reserve ranges from 682 to 769 feet above sea level (FASL). The Reserve is approximately 1,000 yards from the Eastern Continental Divide and approximately 6 miles from Lake Michigan.  The elevation of Lake Michigan is 577 FASL.

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There are four distinct topographical sections in the Reserve:

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Center:

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In the center section, a ridge and hill complex runs southwest to northeast generally along the axis of the Valparaiso Moraine, parallel to the shore of Lake Michigan.  There are three distinct sections to this moraine complex with two ridge heights of 751 FASL and 750 FASL and third distinct hill at 769 FASL.  Between these three tops, there are two distinct saddles. There are also spurs which emanate from the hill and the ridges.  The southeastern face of the Moraine drains towards the headwaters of the Galena river. The northwest face of the moraine drains to Trail Creek.

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Northeastern:

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Numerous seeps and two running springs run out of the eastern slope of the moraine. These springs join and for a time run as a distinct creek within a gully. As the land flattens further from the moraine, the creek exits the gully and turns into a braided channel and finally disappears into wet grassland, creating a fen at 685 FASL.  The fen drains into the Galena River at 682 FASL in the far northeast corner of the Reserve.  The Galena River is called the Galien River when it crosses the border into Michigan.  This portion of the river is dammed by in-channel low head dam known as the Jack Ragle Dam. There is evidence from submerged fence posts that this portion of the river may have been dammed at some point. 

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South:

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The southern triangle of land pinched out by the Moraine complex in the west and the fen in the east consist of dry bottom land running generally level at 715 to 705 FASL west to east with minor elevation changes. On the eastern edge of the dry bottom land a small knoll rises, oval in shape with a height of 713 FASL which overlooks the fen. 

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Northwestern:

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In the northwestern section, open prairie slopes gently off the Moraine and in one section forms a non-draining basin (swale) at 710 FASL where water periodically collects in the Spring (when ground is frozen, but there is a sudden thaw) The sandy nature of the glacial till prevents the water from running on the surface or forming any creek or ravines.

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