Ogechie Wetlands

Ogechie Wetlands. Kathio Landmark Trail. , Sedge , The grass-like vegetation you see extending from the shoreline to the water's edge is known as sedge. Sedges take root in shallow water and, over many years, the slowly-decaying plants form a floating mat upon which more sedges and other plants can grow. This sedge mat supports a growth of wetland plants that are vital to the area's ecosystem., The sedge mat acts like a massive natural sponge, soaking up water from excessive rainfalls, and slowly releasing it back into the watershed. This is beneficial, because it deters downstream flooding and allows the water to seep slowly through the underlying soil and rock, and eventually into the aquifers that are our future drinking water supply., Wetland Plants , Swamp milkweed , Arrowhead , Cattails, Abundant Harvest , The sedges, cattails, willows and other aquatic plants provide food and nesting habitat for a wide variety of birds and other animals. From ancient times to fairly recently, the lake also supported an abundant growth of wild rice. Humans recognized the life-giving properties of these wetlands long ago, and established their living areas near this landscape of abundance.