Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve

Description

Once known as the “Big Swamp,” is the only floating island bog in the world. It is found on Buckeye Lake, in Licking County, Ohio.  It is significant to Ohio, evidenced by its designation as one of the state’s first National Natural Landmarks in October of 1968 and its classification as a State Nature Preserve, in 1977 . Cranberries are grown in bogs, which are wetlands mostly made up of peat, decaying plant matter. They are normally oxygen and nutrient-poor. This bog, in particular, is one of the remnants left behind by Ohio’s glacial activity, and although it is referred to as a “floating bog,” it has many layers underneath that are not visible to the naked eye. As the name suggests, large quantities of cranberries can still be found on the bog today. This island is also home to various plant and animal species and serves as a tourist attraction that can be visited by the public.

Geography and Geology

Buckeye Lake, which contains the bog, was a pre-glacial river valley, meaning it was carved by the last glaciation. This resulted in a 46-foot-deep glacial lake. The Wisconsin glacier was moving its way South. This is the most recent glacier to impact Ohio. But some experts say that the cold air surrounding it pushed boreal vegetation. Meltwater started to form in river valleys and sphagnum moss began to make its mark. This is an ideal environment for the best cranberries to grow.  In the 1900’s the valleys were flooded to create a feeder for the Ohio Erie canal. All of it but the bog land was placed under water. This waterlogged sponge created a new water level. Instead of the bog mat disappearing under the water it grew to be a 50-acre island bog. The bog isn't truly floating; it has many layers underneath like peat, and dead sphagnum moss.

History

The area now known as the Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve has a rich history that reflects the transformation of the landscape over time. Originally referred to as the "Big Swamp" by Native Americans and early settlers, it served as an essential source for cranberry production when the bog was just a small mat in the middle of the lake.

In 1826, the Ohio Canal Commission started making changes by putting up an earthen dike, which allowed the reservoir to fill and effectively transformed the Big Swamp into the Licking County Reservoir. By 1894, the Ohio General Assembly designated this reservoir as a public park, naming it Buckeye Lake, which came under the management of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks.

In 1973, Cranberry Island was officially designated as the Cranberry Bog State Nature Preserve, continuing its stewardship under the ODNR Division of Parks and Preserves. The community wanted the park to be known for more than just its cranberry heritage, so a campaign was launched by citizens called the “Buy a Piece of the Boardwalk Program,” which started the construction of a boardwalk. This showed the community's commitment to preserving the area while enhancing public access and enjoyment.

Flora

The bog’s environment supports many plants. There is rare flora that have been found as well. Some of the plants are round leafed-sundew, northern pitcher plants, rose rogonia, and orchids like pink calopogon.   Both the round leafed-sundew and northern pitcher plants that are carnivorous. People have also found marsh plants and swamp forests here. Then there are the cranberries of course that bloom in June every year on the bog. The bog conditions affect the plants in many different ways. There are nutrients in the peat that help the plants grow.

Bog Over Time

The future of the Cranberry Bog remains uncertain, as it continues to shrink year after year. This decline is driven by two key factors, natural processes and human impact.  The water is becoming more basic, which further accelerates the decomposition of the floating island. Human activities in and around the bog play a role in the impact of its lifespan. These interactions affect the dynamic of the bog’s ecosystem, and ultimately correlate to the shrinkage of the Cranberry Bog. The bog is going to disappear eventually, and while there is not much people can do, the community is looking for volunteers that are willing to help preserve the bog for as long as possible. The longer the bog is preserved, the longer the preserve can be appreciated.

Public Visitation

When water levels are at a safe height for visitation, Cranberry Bog boat tours are available to the public. The boat accommodates 40 guests, with pricing based on group size. For groups of 10 or less, there is a flat rate of $175. For groups of 11 or more, pricing is $10 per person. These guided tours run from May to September, and a permit is required to visit. With the bog's various plants, amphibians, and birds Cranberry Bog offers visitors a glimpse of the beautiful scenery and wildlife. The annual occurrence of the third Saturday in June celebrates Cranberry Bog Day. This day was especially popular with people in the 1990s, sometimes getting over a thousand visitors in one day. Cranberry Bog Day invites visitors to explore the unique and rare plants found on the one-of-a-kind floating island bog.