Enjoy live music at Crossroads in Door County every day
At Crossroads at Big Creek, we are gearing up for the sucker run, and even though our family programs this week focus on rocks and geology, there is a strong connection to the freshwater fisheries of the Great Lakes that wouldn’t exist without the Ice Age glaciers.
The role of rocks and fossils in fish spawning in our creeks is essential. As fish prepare to leave the big lake to swim upstream for breeding, they seek out optimal habitats in tributaries. Northern pike prefer warm, shallow wetlands and flooded areas with emergent vegetation, while suckers and trout are drawn to gravel-bottomed creeks.
The abundance of gravel in these creeks can be traced back to the glaciers of the Ice Age. As the massive ice sheets moved south, they crushed mountains and ground down bedrock, leaving behind deposits of clay, sand, gravel, and pebbles known as “till.” Over time, flowing water and weather have rounded these rocks into pebbles, creating ideal spawning grounds for fish.
The rocky streambeds offer protection for fish eggs against predators and silt, increasing the chances of survival for spawning fish and their offspring. Additionally, as fish move upstream, they transfer essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from the lake into the stream, enriching the ecosystem that sustains them.
Fish play a crucial role in the transfer of nutrients and the enhancement of the stream’s food web through their foraging and spawning activities. Their presence contributes to a broader ecosystem where other wildlife feed on fish eggs, fry, and spawning adults, creating a vital link between seasonal migrations and the overall health of the environment.
Our upcoming events at Crossroads at Big Creek reflect this interconnectedness. From the Nature Investigators Rock Festival to the Saturday Science Fossil Hunt, participants will explore the characteristics of major rock types and search for Silurian fossils. In addition, volunteers from Habitat Healers will kick off the growing season with a session of “Live Stake Harvesting,” collecting willow and dogwood twigs for future planting.
While it may be early for the sucker run, visitors can still witness northern pike moving through Big Creek on their journey to wetlands and flooded areas. The trails along the creek and throughout the preserve are open to the public for exploration, offering a chance to connect with nature and witness the beauty of the natural world.
Join us at Crossroads at Big Creek for a hands-on experience that celebrates the intertwined relationship between rocks, fish, and the environment. Explore the wonders of nature and discover the importance of preserving habitats that support diverse ecosystems.