Glacial geology of the Shingobee River headwaters area, north-central Minnesota

Abstract

COVER. The Shingobee valley, looking upstream toward Shingobee Lake, about a mile and a quarter (2 kilometers) to the south. This part of the Shingobee River valley has a V-shaped cross section that was initiated during the draining of glacial Lake Willobee at the end of Wadena glaciation. The grassy fen on the left (eastern) bank is classified as "poor" because it lacks woody vegetation. The shrubby fen on the right (western) bank, in contrast, is called "rich" because plant nutrients are available in amounts sufficient to support woody vegetation and, commonly, the substrate is somewhat drier. The shrubby fen is developed on a local, relatively small apron of sediment consisting mostly of fine sand and silt derived from downslope movement along the steep western valley side. The asymmetrical occurrence of shrubs on one bank and nonwoody vegetation on the other suggests preferential groundwater input into the sediment wedge along the western valley side. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod Glacial Geology of the Shingobee RiverTo order this and other USGS information products, visit