The 1918 Marsh/University Bay Marsh

This wetland is a remnant of an 84-acre sedge meadow that was once separated from the lake by a sandbar. The area became a marsh connected to Lake Mendota when the dam at the Yahara River outlet raised the lake level.

In 1914 it was drained so that the area could become experimental agricultural fields and produce crops for University cattle. By the mid-1960s the area was no longer farmed and some of the drainage tiles were broken.

In 1972 the alumni decided to restore the marsh and it became known as the Class of 1918 Marsh.

The ancient lakebed of glacial Lake Yahara is evident in this low, flat area.