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[Gene GeRue <genegerue AT ruralize.com>]

> According to the DNR, geologically speaking, Sand Ridge is what it is
> because the sand deposits were left here when the waters from melting
> glaciers at the end of the last ice age deposited massive amounts of
> sand here as the waters drained away down the river valley. Following
> the ice age, there was a period of extreme dryness and warmth, which
> is how we ended up with cactus here (unusual for Illinois). We are
> over a big aquifer. But I suspect that the water table might also be a
> high where I live. I'm in a bit of a valley here, and I note that
> there are no basements amongst my neighbors' homes, except for a few
> homes with walk-out basements. That is one thing I need to ascertain
> before I build a storm/root cellar. I may have to look into an
> above-ground shelter, or mound earth over a semi-buried shelter.

Gloria, please remind us where in Illinois you are located.