Mianus River Gorge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mianus River Gorge |
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The Mianus River Gorge as it approaches the Samuel J. Bargh Reservoir
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| Location | Town of Bedford, New York |
| Area | 755 acres (306 ha) |
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| Designated: | March 1964 |
The Mianus River Gorge is a special nature preserve in Bedford, New York. It covers about 935 acres (3.78 square kilometers). This beautiful area is owned by two groups: The Nature Conservancy and Mianus River Gorge, Inc.
In 1964, the Mianus River Gorge was named a National Natural Landmark. This is because it has a very old forest of hemlock trees. It also has a deep gorge carved by the Mianus River.
Contents
History of the Mianus River Gorge
How the Preserve Began
The Mianus River Gorge became a protected area thanks to Gloria and Anthony Anable. In 1954, they asked for help from The Nature Conservancy. This group agreed to give $7,500 to buy 60 acres (0.24 square kilometers) of land in the gorge. This was actually the very first time The Nature Conservancy helped buy land to protect it!
Growing Over the Years
Since that first purchase, the preserve has grown a lot. In 1990, another 17 acres (0.069 square kilometers) were given to the preserve. This happened as part of a land development agreement.
Later, in 2007, The Nature Conservancy bought 8 more acres (0.032 square kilometers). These new areas were important wetlands right next to the gorge. Protecting these wetlands helps keep the gorge and its water clean and healthy. Mianus River Gorge, Inc. still manages the preserve today.
Geology of the Gorge
How the Gorge Was Formed
The Mianus River Gorge was shaped by ancient glaciers. As the glaciers melted and moved away, streams flowed through the area. These streams slowly carved out the deep gorge we see today. This type of formation is called "periglacial," meaning it was formed near the edge of a glacier.
Types of Rocks Found Here
The gorge has several kinds of bedrock. One type is called Bedford Augen Gneiss. This is an igneous rock, which means it formed from melted rock deep underground. It came from the Late Devonian period, which was a very long time ago.
Other rocks include Hartland Schist and very old gneiss and quartzite from the Precambrian and Cambrian periods. A special geological line called Cameron's Line also runs through the preserve.
Other Features
In the northern part of the preserve, you can find the old Hobby Hill pegmatite quarry. A quarry is a place where rocks are dug out of the ground. The beautiful Havenmeyer Falls is also part of the Mianus River Gorge preserve.
Wildlife and Plants
Managing the Deer Population
The preserve works hard to protect its plants and trees. In 2003, they started a program to carefully manage the number of deer. Too many deer can eat too many plants, which can harm the forest. By gently reducing the deer population, they help keep the plants healthy. This helps the entire ecosystem thrive.
Variety of Life
The Mianus River Gorge is home to many different kinds of plants. You can find numerous species of trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, and ferns here. This rich variety of plant life makes the preserve a special place for nature lovers.
Visiting the Preserve
The Mianus River Gorge is a great place to explore! It is open to visitors from April 1 to November 30. You can visit between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
There are about 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) of hiking trails. These trails are well-marked, so it's easy to find your way around and enjoy the natural beauty of the gorge.
