When the Seafloor Broke: The Story of Kitch-iti-kipi | Manistique, Michigan

Hidden in a forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is an unreasonably beautiful, vividly-colored spring called Kitch-iti-kipi - and the story of how it got there is arguably just as incredible: because in a way, this spring formed over more than 400 million years... and also, in an instant.
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Here are some of my key research sources on Kitch-iti-Kipi/The Big Spring, the Silurian Period, jawless fish and fish evolution in general, and more:
Signage at Kitch-iti-Kipi
www.michigan.org/property/pal...
www.ox.ac.uk/news/science-blo...
link.springer.com/article/10....
project.geo.msu.edu/geogmich/...
www.gsa.gov/node/88304?Form_L...
ucmp.berkeley.edu/silurian/si...
dinosaurpictures.org/ancient-...
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7...

[@robertarnold3358]

My family took the raft more than 60 years ago. When I was 8, I was expected to loose my vision. The Big Spring was to be a visual memory. I didn’t loose my vision. I’d love to see it again

[@Inertia888]

That is one of the happiest things I have heard. Brought one of those gentle smiles to my soul.

[@jibblesq]

While happy you can see, your inability to spell the word lose is disturbing.

[@delwynpage]

@Jibbles while your acuity for spelling is commendable you could put your compulsions to better use criticizing people who are paid to write.

[@robertarnold3358]

@@delwynpage Thank You for your kind words I make my share of spelling errors. I see with one eye at a time. It is easy for me to miss read what I am reading and what I am writing. I do get frustrated with my own errors. I tend to temper my criticism of other people. I do take your point. Professional writers know better.

[@moegreenbl]

Forgive me for asking but why were you expected to lose your vision

[@terryritter7065]

Almost a half century ago I did a motorcycle trip to the Mackinaw Bridge with a middle-aged gentlemen from my church. He took me to this spring and I remember passing across it on some kind of tethered raft. He's long since passed and I never knew where this fascinating structure was... until now. Thank you, Alexis, for rekindling this fond memory. I'll make sure I find this place when I make my yearly trip to Marquette to relive this moment from my childhood.

[@alsnowgrrl]

It's near Manistique 😉 I used to live near there 😁

[@tedbear6012]

Same raft still lol

[@tswanny86]

Loved seeing this pop up, as someone who lives 15 minutes away from here! To any thinking of visiting please remember, take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footsteps!!!!

[@lestermarszalek6142]

Thanks for the passion and love of history you make it real and come alive again. A true spirited rendition of history love Michigan. You have a gift. Thanks for sharing it.

[@abehatt7887]

Stay on the trail!

[@JulieannsSerenity]

Thank you for reminding folks about that! I was thinking about what harm people can do to the beauty of nature and hoping this pristine spot stays that way for a million more years!

[@kathyboyers4341]

My family used to camp at Indian Lake State Park in the mid 50's. We went to Kitch-iti-kipi a few times. The raft was a bit different then. Somewhat smaller and there was no wheel to power the raft.There was a baseball bat shaped "stick" with a hole that the cable ran through. You would pull on the stick like a row boat oar and then walk backards along the boat deck as it moved across the spring. Quite an experiance for a small child. My wife and I took our two boys there a couple times when they were young. Michigan is full of interesting history. I believe one of the more fascinating states in the country. Thank you for posting the video. It brought back memories. Bob

[@chefvaleriewilson8738]

I have been to Kitch-ti-kipi many times and did not know the story of how it came into existence. Thanks for explaining it to everyone.

[@AlexisDahl]

Absolutely! I'm glad you got to hear the story.

[@johnsonoutdoors8117]

I didn’t know either and I live like 8 minutes away.

[@megmolkate]

I didn’t either and I lived not far away (by UP standards) in Engadine for close to a decade.

[@drewblanktalks]

I'm surprised to see locals didn't know this tale. This is what happens when you just enjoy the beauty and don't read the history boards all over the place lol

[@ronsamborski6230]

@@megmolkateIs the Engadiner still there? I used to go to the U.P. every summer (Trout Creek, Bond Falls Flowage, Paulding), and I remember that name from going through Engadine.

[@FE428Power]

I live on top of Wakulla Springs. It has a flow rate of around 15,000 gallons per minute. It is currently the longest under water cave system in the United States. Ty for your time to produce very interesting and informative videos!

[@ivantuma7969]

My wife's family is from the area - she took me here in the fall a few years ago. The fish and the green water combined with the turning colors in the trees all around left an impression. Definitely worth seeing if you happen to be touring the UP. Thanks Alexis for the additional geologic history.

[@vivianbrandal2565]

This is one of my favorite spots in the U. P. Have I have been here many times and it never changes. Our state of Michigan is a beautiful state.

[@tequilacollins]

The green color is based on dissolved calcium carbonate from the limestone, coupled with the way that mineral water reflects/refracts the light. If you were to fill a glass with that water, it would not appear green at all. Sure gives that lake a pretty look. Also, the way the water flowed through the limestone, creating those tunnels & caverns is how the majority of caves are formed.

[@DS-nw3xg]

Whenever I've been in the UP I always stop at Kitch-iti-kipi, I think I first visited it in the 60's. I've recommended it to numerous folks that where planning motorcycle trips through the UP as well. There is little information about how it formed available at the springs. I'm happy you've explained it to us. Thanks for your efforts :)

[@g.k.1669]

There are quite a few areas in upper Michigan in the lower peninsula that have natural springs. If you live near Lake St. Helen you can pound a pipe into the ground and produce a decorative spring of water to flow out of the ground into the lake and if your water pump fails for your home supply, you can still have water flow out of your faucet until you can get to the store to purchase a new one.

[@andreawoods]

I moved to Manistique recently. I have been to kitchitikipi so many times. My great great grandma had the first little shop there. My family is from the area so we always visited as kids and I have continued to visit and bring friends there to see the big spring. I recently brought my 11 month old son there for the first time and he had a great time. I loved this video and learned things I didn't know. Thank you for sharing!

[@csnide6702]

so your middle name is "Inthe"...? 😄

[@badbiker666]

I grew up in Michigan. I never knew this existed. Thanks for the video!

[@TearyEyesAnderson]

0:10 "When the ground broke", there was "Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra". "His army with fists open, when the walls fell." Sorry couldn't resist, it sounded like a quote from Star Trek: The Next Generation. ;) Our city once had a ferry raft like this back in the 1800's and they left a tombstone type marker to remind people that where a bridge now is, there was once a ferry.

[@AlexisDahl]

Ha, fair enough! (I really should watch TNG sometime...) Also, I love that there's a marker there from where the ferry used to run. What a fun piece of history!

[@tonydavis4059]

I enjoy that episode TNG good times

[@lundworks9901]

"Memorial " marker, although I'm sure the ferry-master has also passed. RIP

[@lisalesinszki7536]

Thanks for the Trek reference! 🖖🏻

[@agon1963]

Thanks for the Trekkie quote. Love it.

[@vickilindberg6336]

Absolutely love your MI series so far. Wish it had been 20 yrs ago when we were going to MI for my daughter's college. May go back to MI anyway just for this. Wonderful attitude & enthusiasm. Thank you

[@creativeprocessnet]

Our family visited the spring nearly 70 years ago and we took the raft ride. I am still fascinated by the memory of clear water.

[@EdA-qh7qr]

I love listening to Alexis she always so bubble and well spoken

[@hextasy000]

I'm pretty happy that KZbin started showing me your video's. I'm not from Michigan, but not far off either. Sometime in the past 15 years I've gained a love of Geology, so I fit right in with a lot of your video's regardless of where they are! You do a great job delivering the information. keep it up!

[@megmolkate]

If you are interested in finding trilobites and other fossils I remember the gravel pits SW of Newberry corners (west intersection of M-28 and M-123) has a lot of fossil bearing rock. One of the construction technicians at the MDOT office adjacent to the pits had a particularly nice one, went through the pit with him and few times.

[@user-wp9fg2dg4y]

...my old grouse hunting area! :)

[@markasiala6355]

I grew up in the lower peninsula and we would travel through the UP on our way to visit family in MI. We used to visit the various falls because they were "pretty". You've shown me so much more places to visit for the geological history that I wish I had visited back then. Well, there is always retirement to catch up on MI history!

[@Neverhome365]

Our first drive to upper Michigan we did little research on the area we just knew we wanted to go to pictured rock. So we headed up north and lost gps directions and accidentally turned down the road to here. Once we made it to the end we realized we went the wrong way. We just thought it was a recreational area so we turned around and left. Now we know better but still haven’t been there yet. Im glad I’ve found your channel the history of the upper peninsula is very interesting. This area and Fayette Historic State Park are totally on our to do list .

[@giddingsrocks]

If you like nature, I highly recommend doing the self driving tour through Seney National Wildlife Refuge. It takes about an hour and is free.

[@roadhog19]

I am a life long resident of Michigan. Have been here 4 times and loved it every time. Never been in the winter though. It looks great with snow. Once we were there and amazingly we saw no one four about 3-4 hours 🤷 we wheeled the raft over the spring opening watching the water and those absolutely huge trout. We just stared into the water through the center opening in the middle of the raft mesmerized. Almost therapeutic. Can't wait to jump back on the bike for another session.

[@Rabblewitz]

I remember visiting Kitchi-iti-kipi as a little kid on a vacation we took through the UP. It was like a magical place. It was not until I was attending MTU that I found it again. While I don't think they remember it, we took our kids to see it some 20 years ago, on a trip to visit my wife's parents. I believe the only thing the remember from that trip is the visit to Tahquamenon falls. 🙂

[@kimberlyshepherd270]

My husband and I are from Michigan as kids. I would have loved to visit Kitch-ti-kipi but never knew about it. Now we live in Ohio. Maybe if I beat my brain cancer we could visit Kitch-ti-kipi to celebrate. We are poor so who knows 🤕🎗️

[@stevenbradley3242]

I worked as an unpaid intern ranger at Indian Lake State Park in the fall of '73 and part of my duties was to do maintenance at the spring's buildings. I would go out on the raft every day to check it out and enjoyed the trip each time. I never knew the geological story of the spring until now so thank you for explaining it so clearly. Truly a beautiful place to visit if you are in the area.

[@zorrorides1]

I went to MTU loooooong time ago. Traveled all over the UP on a motor cycle and on oddly fast cars. I absolutely love your videos and keep showing them to my wife and daughter and anybody else I think of. Your presentation is great. Geology has to be the dryest subject ever to talk about. Your natural enthusiasm makes it greatly informative and entertaining. Please keep it up. Thank you so much.

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, hey, thank you so much! That's very kind of you.

[@jimbeam3318]

You have such a passion for the subject you are talking about!Awesome! I'd like to see an episode about Pipestone, Mn.

[@grantdeisig1360]

I've been there a few times, and it's definitely a sight to see. Just to see those huge trout swimming around all the dead forrestry in crystal clear water is just something to behold. I definitely will always try to stop there when i'm up in the U.P. Thanks for the history lesson. I'm sure that will just make me appreicate it even more next time!

[@jayf8308]

Hello Fellow Michigander! You are a delite. I have lived here all my life and camped and vacationed all over the state. Thought I knew it pretty well but I'm ad mittens that you know things better. Here you are peeling back time and explaining all sorts of cool things. Keep up the good work and thanks

[@stevenrais9360]

The enthusiasm is infectious lol

[@Bubbin]

I love the enthusiasm in your voice! Well done.

[@happychips1259]

Green in water often points to copper salts. Given where this spring is, that would be very likely where the green tint comes from. Where the limestone layer that created the spring channels has been eroded to abut an igneous layer that has copper content in it.

[@tedbonarski5798]

My wife and I were married on the raft in 1989 (the old one, with the wooden branch you pulled to move it across the spring). My mom grew up nearby at Garden Corners. Her dad had a role in turning the old Fayette ruins into a state park. He helped build the visitor center there, if memory serves. That's a question: the limestone bluffs of Fayette would be the same Silurian limestone that formed Kitch-iti-kipi, right? And what accounts for the height difference between the top of those bluffs and the depths of Snail Shell Harbor, the deepest natural harbor on Lake Michigan?

[@opiumextract2934]

I could watch you talk about the past all day! You are passionate about it and explain it very well. The production value makes me wonder how you don't have more subs. Happy new year

[@retropipes8863]

How fascinating. Your passion is inspirational, Alexis! Thanks for sharing!

[@kimmoberg4393]

My favorite place! I was a tour guide here in high school and pulled people across the old raft and gave all sorts of facts and some bits of the Native American stories, wish I could remember it all now... My grandma was a park ranger and my mom and sister worked in the gift shop. So many memories! I visit as often as I can when I go home.

[@jeffsiegwart]

You are doing a fantastic job covering Michigan's attractions and history. Thank you for your unmistakable contributions. I am from Michigan, but now live in Florida as a snow bird.

[@user-xq6vr2xz5k]

Although I'd have never done a search for most of the videos you produce, I love watching (and learning)! Your enthusiasm for all of these videos is mesmerizing!! If I would have had a teacher like you when I was in school it would have certainly helped increase my attention span. Cudos to you! Keep up the great work!!

[@mackymintle7806]

New bucket list destination! Thanks for the profile and information 👍

[@slyfox7429]

Wow learned more here in seven minutes than taking the glass bottom boat ride and talking to Forestry people. I have been to Kitch-iti-kipi twice now. Thanks for your project videos.

[@barbarafleece377]

Our family visited the spring when our three boys were young. It was a wonderful time. Thank you for posting this video

[@pamrix6800]

Our fishing/camping trips 1960s-1970s were never complete without a visit to Big Spring. Just stumbled on your series and am really enjoying your videos. Keep'm coming !

[@lbacker90]

Your videos are so great! Thank you. I shared them with my granddaughters and they love them too. We live in Michigan and love learning our awesome state (that's just our humble opinion though!) Keep up the wonderful work.

[@wishinifishin5172]

Been here several times. Last April my wife and I were there. Not a soul in sight. Place to ourselves. We took a couple beers out on the raft and just hung out in the middle for hours soaking in the unseasonably warm weather. Awesome day

[@pdubb9754]

Glad I found this channel this week. I'm finally learning about the region I've lived in for 20 years.

[@marywendt7]

Gorgeous! I have been here a few times. The beauty takes your breath away.

[@larryboles629]

Amazing! I use to live in Detroit, MI. Detroit is an annex of MI. Geographically very, very close to one another, but in climate, culture and civilization they are light years apart. Had I known of this epic slice of the earth I would have spent a lot of time there. Kitch-etc is a rare and beautiful cross section of a moment in time. Thank you for your efforts. Be happy, be safe

[@fortuneski1]

I love this program. Thank you for what you do. We have a lot of questions about Nugent Lake in Baldwin, MI. The sediment on the bottom of the lake is called marrow. Before the 1930s, it was a swamp. A concrete-producing company discovered the marrow be used as an ingredient for mixing cement because of the lime in it. The company discontinued operation in the 1950s when excavators hit springs. Anyway, that's the story or something like it. I call the marrow "muck." When the lake recedes, you can scoop the muck in your hands and form a ball that will harden. The muck is grey and full of broken snail shells. Billions of tiny white snail shells live in the muck, die, and then break down. I would like to know more about the lake and marrow geologically.

[@michaelcoughlin8966]

it is my favorite place in the U.P. to visit, if it was in southern Michigan thousands would visit every day Cool does not begin to define BIG SPRING.

[@aceundead4750]

Just found the channel this morning, awesome to find a channel about Michigan

[@scottford8736]

That's a great story thanks for taking us along for the ride

[@TheCadman069]

I've been to the "Big Spring" 100's and 100's of times. It's awesome to get the background on how it was formed. What a great video!

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

Toured this site last summer with my wife while visiting our niece in Manistique. It was incredible to see the water agitating the sand so clearly, 45 feet down. Another excellent video. Thanks for sharing.

[@howardsaltzman2103]

I Visited Kitchi-iti-kipi Springs with my family in about 1964 when I was about 6 years old and it's time to go back there. Thanks for explaining its geologic origins!

[@janshaw2132]

Just found your channel. As a native Michigander this is incredibly informative, love the enthusiasm you bring. Great work, Go Blue!

[@lennychorn147]

The green tint, to the water is seen in every limestone quarry. When a section floods from groundwater, the water is so deep green, it looks like emerald waters.

[@tracynorris5012]

Thank you for sharing!❤

[@SJ-um2ym]

Just discovered your channel. What a fabulous job you’ve done turning your own curiosity into enchanting stories to tickle OUR curiosity. I’m in love with Michigan but, feel I know so little about it. Thank you for helping to change that.

[@gregwarner3753]

There is nothing as attractive as an enthusiast. I am happy that I have discovered your work. Thank you.

[@christianchatel8387]

Love your enthusiasm. Very well presented.

[@jeffgerndt2813]

One of my favorite places!

[@larryg9137]

Thanks Alexis for another great presentation!

[@brendenboeglin5517]

Thank you for your work and dedication and time it's appreciated , thank you.

[@AlexisDahl]

Thanks, Brenden! I really do appreciate that.

[@latvianwoodsman2309]

This is such an amazing channel! Im always excited to see when there's a new video. You deserve a million subscribers

[@gypsydildopunks7083]

You are good at these videos. Never gave Michigan much thought, thanks for making it interesting.

[@johnbarry4193]

Love in Manistique , great place

[@libbylandscape3560]

This is so cool! I’m originally from the Detroit suburbs & left in ‘76 now living in upstate NY which is very similar to Michigan in climate & landscape, especially the Traverse City area which I miss because of the woods & water. Kitch-iti-kipi reminded me of two small glacial and meromictic lakes at Green Lakes State Park, Fayetteville, NY that are very deep and clear, one pure turquoise and the other green. Beautiful to hike or just sit and admire. Nature is glorious and learning its history makes it even better. Thanks for your enthusiastic video.

[@robertfallows1054]

Dang. I drove right past that last summer on the way back from Copper Harbor. Had no idea.

[@chrisbenthall9718]

My first visit to Kitch-iti-kipy was in the 80s when I was a teenager. A friend of mine went there a few years ago and reminded me it was there. My aunt from Tennessee came up for a visit last year and I took her Up North. That was one of the stops. I do the Mackinac Bridge walk on Labor Day 2021bwing my retirement walk for health problems. I love the things this state has to offer.

[@k8eekatt]

What a great report! Thank you!

[@cheesesammich6094]

I love that place, I've been there a few times... but I never knew how it came to be. Thanks for doing the research Alexis! 😊

[@jackpinesavage1628]

My wife & I have been there. It's like you're on the surface of the moon. You look down in the water, once you're in the middle of the pond and you can see all the way down to the bottom, where plumes of mud bubble up from the spring. They also have huge fish swimming in this pond. Very cool!

[@teddy.d174]

One of my favorite places in all of Michigan.

[@tayninh69]

If I had a teacher like you when I was in high school I would have been an A+ student. Your enthusiasm just makes a person want to learn. I have been to this spring a few years ago and it is an amazing thing to see.

[@pwells1966]

Wow! That spring is so beautiful. I've lived in Michigan my whole life and have never heard of this place. Or, some of the other places you've shown us on your channel. I'll be visiting Copper Harbor very soon after seeing your story on it. Now this is on my list.

[@chronicwizardmargol7265]

What a great presentation thank you so much.

[@mattrowland473]

My new favorite YT channel! thanks so much for your great videos

[@utarmandoenchicago]

Your work is incredible, congratulations.

[@ryanwagner4944]

Been there few dozen times and it’s a must on everyone’s bucket list.

[@petergriffin383]

I love this channel, I just found it and I've been binge watching! I'm from Michigan too! New sub, keep up the great work

[@michaelj2536]

Amazing story. I've been there. Utterly amazing and well presented

[@TheKBK2]

I just stumbled across your channel this morning, being originally from Michigan and living in Central California for the last 25 years, channels like yours help to ease the homesickness. Been going to Kitch-iti-kipi since I was a kid with my family on our yearly camping trips to the U.P. (I'm a Troll). I've always wondered about this place and how it formed, I've wanted to take my fishing rod and catch one of those huge trout's also. Lol! I made sure my children got to experience the U.P. and this natural wonder before we left for Cali. Thanks for your awesome and informative channel, you have a new follower.

[@bumpersmith]

Thanks for the history lesson. I live nearby and now have a better story to tell the grandkids when we visit.

[@soonerarrow]

Not from Michigan but after having a couple of your videos show up in my feed and then watching them, I found your enthusiasm and adorable smile too compelling. You've earned a Like, Sub and All.

[@homesteadaquarius]

Neat place! It reminds me of the springs in Florida and Cenotes as well with it way of forming. Limestone and water make for some interesting formations! It looks so cold too!

[@boblittle7714]

I Really like your Winterhold painting in the background!!

[@sierrafoxtrotgolf3638]

You should visit again when the raft has the canopy on it. The shade from the canopy helps you see the bottom so much more clearly.

[@LadyYoop]

This is phenomenal. You are brilliant!

[@AlexisDahl]

Shucks, thank you! You're too kind. 🙂

[@Oddzilla51]

Stopped there on a family trip a few years ago. Very cool place! And now we know how it got there! Thanks, again!

[@AlexisDahl]

My pleasure! Learning the stories behind place I've visited is one of my favorite things, so I'm glad I got to pass along some of that feeling!

[@squiggymcsquig6170]

A literal fortune in coins has been dropped into the spring since it was made a state park in 1926. However, I imagine those coins dropped into the very center have been worn away by the constantly churning sand...effectively sandblasted to nothing. It is an amazing place. I have been there many times over my 60 years, and have added my share of coins.

[@rachaelrichards3525]

Why would anyone drop a coin into the earth? It’s not a fountain? It’s … the earth? I’m totally mind blown.

[@Beegee1952]

You are a very good story teller! Your enthusiasm is contagious!

[@chetkasper5680]

About 50 years ago my brother and I rode on the original raft. Later in life, my brother had the opportunity to build the replacement raft that crosses the big spring. You may have noticed he used a large wheel and mounted it low enough for a wheelchair-bound person to turn it. He works for Flotation Docking Systems in Cedarville and he helped engineer and build it. This raft replaced an older design that used a similar wheel system to move the raft but accessibility was not a priority back then.

[@JoshuaStrapec]

Recently stumbled upon your channel. So cool to see someone highlighting all the amazing things in the UP of Michigan. Thanks for teaching me more about some of my favorite places. Go Huskies!

[@AlexisDahl]

Hey, thank you so much!

[@nikkidrouin647]

I live close to this place. About 35 mins or so. Super beautiful and fun to go to. I enjoyed your video.

[@nickl2852]

The painting of the college of winterhold is incredible! So is the content😀

[@AlexisDahl]

Aw, hey, thanks so much! I appreciate that!

[@nickl2852]

@@AlexisDahl When it first caught my eye I was like "that's a pretty cool painting". Then I was like "hey, wait a second... I've seen this place before" as the Skyrim theme song began to play in my mind.

[@drewblanktalks]

So much great content!

[@brex6850]

This is my home town! Been her things off times. So amazing in real life

[@georgesmith8113]

Love that place!! Thanks! 👍👍👍👊😎

[@OfficiallyFran]

Thanks I love learning about my state.

[@spamllama]

And now I'm obsessed about the source of the water.