Farmers wanted to drain this area to grow crops as early as 1902. To carry the water away, they dug the artificial channel in front of this site. They piled the soil in a ridge that runs parallel to the channel, and today it supports the boardwalk. In places on the east side of the boardwalk, pools remain from the old stream bed. Today, wetlands and shallow meandering streams slow the runoff of water, lessening the impact of floods and allowing more water to soak into the ground. Fallen trees and logs left in the stream also help slow the runoff of water and provide homes for many rare plants and animals.