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Natural & Cultural History:
In Colonial times, it is likely that early settlers of Perrystown ditched and drained the natural beaver meadows along the Lane River to create their first ox pastures. The edges of the meadow (now a natural wetland) show ample evidence (stonewalls, stone piles, early successional forests of pine) that this area was extensively managed as tilled cropland, productive hay fields and pasture.
It is likely that as South Sutton developed in subsequent years, water levels in the meadows along the river fluctuated as water was impounded and released to power nearby water-powered mills. The remains of an historic mill complex including the “Jones grist mill” and a starch mill closer to Roby Road are located downstream (east) of the current Lane River wetland in South Sutton.
An interesting series of stone piles exist in close proximity to vernal pool complex at the eastern edge of wetland stand 3. These stones may have been picked from adjacent areas that were tilled and cultivated for field crops – likely grains or potatoes that were grown in the rich soils exposed when water was drained from the marsh.
The remains of the stone foundations, a stone dam, abutments and a stone-lined sluice channel of the Jones grist mill complex downstream is evidence of the small industries which harnessed the power of the Lane River below the South Sutton village.
Today, water levels in the wetland fluctuate from year to year based on seasonal rainfall and the extensive beaver activity along the main river channel. The presence of many old dead tamarack trees and the stumps of large white pines also indicate that water levels were once much lower when the water was artificially controlled by the (historic) local mill operations downstream.
Ecological / Wildlife:
Wetland wildlife species seen include: white tailed deer, coyote, otter, mink, beaver, muskrat, spotted turtle, painted turtle, snapping turtle, garter snake, wood frog, green frog, leopard frog, gray tree frog, spotted salamander.
More common bird species include: gray catbird, song sparrow, tree swallow, cardinal, chickadee, titmouse, red-wing blackbird, common yellow-throat warbler, yellow warbler, veery, kingfisher,
Waterfowl and upland game birds include: wood duck, hooded merganser, mallard, black duck, Canada geese, woodcock, common snipe, killdeer.
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