Prairie Life
Praire grasses near Smith Lake, north of Algona.
"In '54 there were only the native trees bordering the river, while all the surrounding country was vast open prairies." Florence Call Cowles
When Asa and Ambrose came to the Algona area they discovered trees lining the creeks and rivers but mostly they saw "vast open prairies." The prairies that surrounded Algona were tallgrass prairies. Sometimes the plants and grasses could grow as tall as 10 ft. which often made for difficult travel by covered wagon.
Tallgrass prairies were home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. Over 100 plant species would be growing in a 5 acre area (equal to 6 or 7) city blocks. Not only did the plants reach unusual heights but their root system could also be 12 feet deep. The prairie grasses and plants had extensive root systems. When the roots died they would decompose and fertilize the soil. Prairie grasses were the reason that the soil around Algona was so rich and fertile. Tallgrass prairies no longer exist in Iowa except in some areas where people are making an effort to return land to prairies grasses.
Many animals called the tallgrass prairie home: bison, prairie dogs, elk, hawks, foxes, ferrets and deer. Prairie chickens were plentiful until the prairie grasses disappeared then the prairie chickens disappeared as well.
When Asa and Ambrose came to the Algona area they discovered trees lining the creeks and rivers but mostly they saw "vast open prairies." The prairies that surrounded Algona were tallgrass prairies. Sometimes the plants and grasses could grow as tall as 10 ft. which often made for difficult travel by covered wagon.
Tallgrass prairies were home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. Over 100 plant species would be growing in a 5 acre area (equal to 6 or 7) city blocks. Not only did the plants reach unusual heights but their root system could also be 12 feet deep. The prairie grasses and plants had extensive root systems. When the roots died they would decompose and fertilize the soil. Prairie grasses were the reason that the soil around Algona was so rich and fertile. Tallgrass prairies no longer exist in Iowa except in some areas where people are making an effort to return land to prairies grasses.
Many animals called the tallgrass prairie home: bison, prairie dogs, elk, hawks, foxes, ferrets and deer. Prairie chickens were plentiful until the prairie grasses disappeared then the prairie chickens disappeared as well.
Links:
|