The quarry shorelines are a form of shoreline habitat unique to the Heritage Quarries Recreation Area (HQRA). Dolomite limestone mining operations occurred in the area from 1850-1900. After the site’s disuse, the quarry pits flooded with groundwater, becoming the lakes seen today. As such, the shoreline habitats throughout the HQRA are relatively young. Soil composition is heavily affected by fragmented dolomite limestone spoils littering the shorelines. Existing soil is shallow with patches of exposed limestone. Many of the shorelines have sharp drop offs due to the quarry structures.

Accessible quarry shorelines are heavily utilized by the public for fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreational activities. Unfortunately, these usable sections encompass a minimal portion of the overall existing shoreline space due to overgrowth.