Stevens Twin Sinks Preserve


Useful Information

Location: Alpena County.
Open: free
Fee: free
Classification: KarstDoline Devonian limestones of the Traverse Group
Light: n/a
Dimension: D=60 m, VR=25 m.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography: Brochure at the Community Development Building near Maple Lane and Leer Road, Alpena.
Address: Michigan Karst Conservancy, 2805 Gladstone Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6432. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1993 purchased with gifts from William and Archie Stevens.

Description

The Stevens Twin Sinks Preserve was named after William C. and Archibald H. Stevens, who donated money for its purchase by the Michigan Karst Conservancy, and after two sinks of course. The center of the 1.2 ha preserve are two sinkholes, each about 60 m in diameter and 25 m deep, separated by a fragile saddle-ridge. A karst trail leading to this dolines and others was planned, but we could not find out if it is realized yet.

The area around Alpena and Presque Isle is formed by limestones of the Devonian Traverse Group. They are underlayn by Detroit River Group anhydrite, which dissolves much faster. The cavities undergound, about 230 m below the surface, collapse and form huge dolines in the overlying rocks. This is also called a caprock doline, 200 of them exist in the Alpena area. Only the Stevens Twin sinks and the Bruski sink are open for public viewing.