Ebenezer Swamp...A Mysterious Wonder

Story by: Zachary Ivey


When you hear the word "swamp", you imagine slimy green water, foggy atmosphere and spooky folklore, but it is actually a beautiful, peaceful environment to visit as well as an educational gold mine for biologists and students to observe and learn about.

Ebenezer Swamp- Montevallo, AL

Located about six miles from the University of Montevallo, lies Ebenezer Swamp.It is a comforting sanctuary to almost an endless amount of diverse plant and animal species.

The North American beaver is not only found in these swamps, or wetlands, but are helpful to a swamp's health. Beavers spend the majority of their time collecting sticks and mud to create dams;

which prevent water from flowing and allowing bodies such as swamps to flourish.This forms a still climate for nutrients, minerals, bacteria and fungi to collect and grow into a rich wetlands.

Boardwalk in Ebenezer Swamp

Other animals such as turkeys, opossums, raccoon and a variety of bird, snake and insect species share this dense and quiet ecosystem.

Ebenezer Swamp is a healthy, nutrient-enriched home for many plants including a rare Eared-Coneflower, Red Maple, Tulip Tree, Sweet Bay, Loblolly Pine, Sycamore and dominantly the Tupelo Gum Tree.

Dragonfly scrap metal sculpture in Ebenezer Swamp

The swamp has been here for over 10,000 years, and is kept trash free and thriving by clean up crews in Montevallo?

I have made it my goal to make swamps such as Ebenezer a miraculous and interesting place and put an end to its cinematic reputation of being scary and intimidating.


To learn more about Montevallo's own Ebenezer Swamp Click Here

To learn more about swamps/wetlands in general Click Here