Class I South Branch Elkhart River, IN

The South Branch of Elkhart River is somewhat unusual in Indiana in that it occupies flat, low ground of glacial outwash sediments. Lakes and depressions are connected by this winding river as it makes its way through higher, intermittent moraines (glacial ridges). The topography in the vicinity of the South Branch ranges from low, marshy areas to rolling fields and woods to steep hills. The flow of the South Branch is perennial, partly due to the large quantity of water coming from ground water reservoirs. The channel varies in depth, is flat and is slow moving. Most of the upland forests of beech-maple and oak-hickory associations along the South Branch have been cleared for agriculture. However, stands still exist where relatively steep, upland slopes drop to the river. Black willow, green and black ash, cottonwood and soft maple occur naturally in the swampy areas, which function as a natural water filter system. (Indiana DNR Canoeing Guide)