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The first picture here is a map of the bear creek watershed as it was during the years 1847-1902.

During this time, agriculture was beginning to have an impact on the creek itself. Bear Creek was not much of a creek during 1847 (red line on the map). During the next 50 years, Bear Creek increased in length and width along the whole watershed (blue line on the map).

The next map shows the land area of different landowner/farmer/cooperators along Bear Creek and the date they joined the project.
Channel Development in the Bear Creek Watershed over the last 150 years.
Large excavation machines were once employed to drain much of the midwest's land.