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Topography <br />The topography of the community is generally rolling, exhibiting <br />glacial morainic surface features. Elevations vary approximately 90 <br />feet (from 920 feet to 1,010 feet above sea level). The greatest <br />elevation variations are in the west central and northwestern <br />portions of the City, where there are several areas of higher <br />elevations. Virtually, all steeper slopes over 10 percent grade are <br />also in this portion of the City. The northeast and southern portions <br />of the City range from gently rolling to flat. <br />Surface Water and Drainage <br />Most of the City of Gem Lake lies on a low plateau over 950 feet <br />above sea level. This plateau drains north, west and south. Since <br />Gem Lake is in a relatively high elevation with respect to <br />surrounding lands, no permanent streams exist within its <br />boundaries. However, as is typical of glacial landscapes, much of <br />the municipality is imperfectly drained. Much of the surface water <br />currently drains into low lying depressions with no surface outlets. <br />The largest of these depressions is the water body called Gem Lake <br />which covers approximately 38 acres including its attendant <br />wetlands. Much of the central portion of the City drains into this <br />water body. The second largest area of standing water is a pond <br />covering about six acres in the northeastern portion of the City. <br />Most of the lands north of the Gem Lake Drainage Area and south <br />of Goose Lake Road drain into this surface feature. There are many <br />other smaller pockets of intermittent and permanent surface water <br />storage areas scattered throughout the municipality. <br />Soils <br />Most surface soils within Gem Lake are glacial tills. Consequently, <br />the character of soils can vary significantly in a relatively small <br />area. Gravel deposits displaying course soils are located in knobs in <br />the northwestern portion of the City. In contrast, fine sediments are <br />located in the Gem Lake and associated wetland area not far away. <br />Overall, the soils might be characterized as medium to fine in all <br />but (1) the knob areas, and (2) in the northeastern area of the City <br />where coarser soils predominate. <br />Vegetation <br />Much of the City is significantly wooded, especially in the central <br />portion around Gem Lake. There are also extensive stands of trees <br />in the northwestern portion of the City along Goose Lake Road. <br />City of Gem Lake Comprehensive Plan I page 3-2 <br />