Redinger Ditch facts for kids
Redinger Ditch is a creek in northern Indiana. It starts near the town of Argos and flows into the Tippecanoe River near Talma. This creek is also close to other towns like Walnut, Tiosa, Tippecanoe, Old Tip Town, Mentone, and Richland Center. Redinger Ditch is about 770 feet above sea level.
How the Creek Flows
Redinger Ditch begins in south central Marshall County. At its start, it is a very shallow and narrow stream. As it flows under Indiana State Road 110, it stays very shallow. However, it does get a little wider.
When the creek gets closer to the Tippecanoe River, it becomes straighter. Its size also starts to change a lot. Before it reaches Fulton County Road 650 North, the creek is about 7 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Just past the road, it grows to about 12 feet wide and 3 feet deep.
About 30 feet downstream from this point, there is a small island. This island is about 4 feet wide. On both sides of the island, the water flows quickly, creating "whitewater" about 2 feet deep. One side of the creek bank here is about a foot tall and straight up. Just 10 feet further, Redinger Ditch joins the larger Tippecanoe River.
Historical Finds and Fertile Land
Many Native American artifacts have been found in and near Redinger Ditch. These include arrowheads and other tools. They likely belonged to the Potawatomi tribe.
The creek often floods, which makes the soil nearby very rich and good for growing plants. This fertile soil helps many different plants grow. Some of these plants include water mint, sycamore trees, and stinging nettles. Hundreds of other plant types also thrive here.
Creek's Plant and Animal Life
Redinger Ditch flows into the Tippecanoe River. The United States Department of Natural Resources says the Tippecanoe River is one of the top ten most important rivers in the United States for its wide variety of plants and animals. Because of this connection, Redinger Ditch also has many different kinds of life.
Even though many parts of the creek have a sandy bottom, you can find various types of mussels, seaweed, minnows, and algae. The areas near the creek that flood each year are very fertile. This rich land supports hundreds of species of trees, bushes, and grasses. This attracts many animals to the area.
Like the rest of the Tippecanoe River area, Redinger Ditch has some zebra mussels. These are an invasive species, meaning they are not native and can cause problems. However, since the creek is not near many cities, these mussels are not a big problem here.
