Lake Pepin – Wabasha, MN
N 44° 24.607 W 092° 06.421
15T E 571099 N 4917813
This marker tells some facts about Lake Pepin and some geology pertaining to the area.
Waymark Code: WMP2RV
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date Posted: 06/18/2015
Views: 5
This historical marker is on a highway pull off near Wabasha. It tells some facts about Lake Pepin and some geology pertaining to the area; the text reads:
Lake Pepin
Lake Pepin occupies the Mississippi Valley above this point for a distance of 22 miles. The lake is formed by the delta of the Chippewa River which enters the Mississippi directly east of this site.
The Chippewa, a relatively small river, has a much steeper gradient than that of the Mississippi. It was therefore able to transport more sand and coarser gravel than the master stream could remove. In consequence the Mississippi was dammed back in the gorge to form Lake Pepin.
The surface of the lake is 664 feet above sea level and 450 feet below the top of the bluffs which line its shores.
The sand and limestone walls of the gorge are composed of material deposited in Cambrian and Ordovician seas when the continent was submerged some 400 million years ago.
The bottom of the gorge is 150 feet below the lake surface having been filled to its present elevation as the carrying power of the river decreased.
Geological Society of Minnesota
Marker Type:: Roadside
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Visit Instructions:
A photo of the 'Marker' or 'Plaque' is required to identify the location, plus a picture of the 'Historic Site'.