Vernal pools got their name from the Latin word vernus, which means belonging to Spring. They are also commonly called, vernal pools, ephemeral ponds, temporary ponds, or seasonal ponds. Past glacial conditions significantly contributed to many of these local conditions.Įphemeral wetlands are also known by other names. They are especially found where local conditions are favorable including site topography and local soil conditions. Ephemeral wetlands are created by a variety of means including: wind, earthquakes, fallen trees, fires, and tides from rivers, lakes and oceans. They do not have a permanent inlet or outlet, but can overflow if they get an excess of water. Since there isn't always water in them the bottoms are normally firm and not mucky. However they can be as small as the living room in your house or others could be over an acre (43,560 SF). As a generalization, a common size would be roughly 30' x 100' x 1' deep (but rarely more than 3' deep). They are normally very small and shallow in nature. However in most cases they do not hold water year round. They are normally wet after a large rainfall and / or in Spring and early Summer and will hold water for a minimum of 60 - 90 days. Ephemeral wetlands are a temporary wetlands. The Indiana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy helped protect this wetland. The Michaud-Sinninger Woods section of Cumberland Park is home to a specific type of wetland, an ephemeral wetland. Eventually, this area became the excellent farming region that we know today. Wetlands also occurred and contributed in the delay of settlement in the area. Historically, both the eastern deciduous forests and the western tallgrass prairies occurred within the area. This part of the state of Indiana is where many different ecosystems came into contact. Cumberland Park is located within Tippecanoe County in west-central Indiana.

For more information on the parks the City has to offer and a trail map please go to. This park is linked to many other parks via the awesome trail system this city has. Welcome to Cumberland Park in West Lafayette.