Voice of the People

By studying the Chesterton quadrangle Topographic Map, I think I know the only solution to the problem of a lake in the small depression southeast of Meridian Rd. and County Rd. 900N. This depression or “swamp” is about ten feet deep and about 1/4 mile long east and west and 1/8 mile wide north and south.

The only solution that makes sense is to haul in many truckloads of dirt and gravel and raise the level of the ground ten or fifteen feet! Then the water sinks into the ground instead of becoming a lake or swamp in a depression or shallow hole. Would not this solution solve the problem?

This area is right at the beginning of the Valparaiso Moraine at 650 feet above sea level. At this 650 foot level there are several shallow lakes such as Mud Lake, Chestnut Lake, Billington Lake and Morgan Lake. Ten feet to the north at 640 feet above sea level (60 feet above present Lake Michigan at 580 feet above sea level) was Lake Michigan level at Glenwood stage. Fine particles settled down on the bottom of this lake to form clay deposits at Porter, Hobart, Hammond and South Chicago where they made bricks from 1880 to 1920. Hobart High School teams are called “Brickies”.

South of CR 900N on Meridian Rd. to Valparaiso the moraine climbs to a high elevation of 860 feet above sea level at Lakewood Park and Pines Ski area. At the crest of Valparaiso Moraine are the kettle lakes made by ice blocks falling off the Glacier. Flint Lakes, Long Lake, Loomis Lake, Mink Lake, Wauahob Lake, Moss Lake, Deep Lake. Also LaPorte lakes. The Olson farm at Friday Road and east Porter Ave. is at 650 feet above sea level at the beginning of Valparaiso Moraine on the north. Here is the scenic Burdick Moraine at the west end of Burdick Rd. east of Friday Rd.

Ed Gustafson

Posted 4/26/2007