Key characteristics: Northwest Sands » One of state’s best opportunities to protect and restore large ecological landscape pine-oak barrens » Extensive jack pine forests » Large, open wetlands, predominantly sedge meadows Attributes and Characteristics and seepage lakes. Groundwater, in the form » Headwaters of Brule, St. Croix, of springs and seeps, contributes significant and Namekagon Rivers Running in a northeast-southwest orientation, » flow to the St. Croix, Bois Brule, White, Onion, Concentration of natural lakes this landscape is characterized by its sandy » and Namekagon Rivers. Major land uses of Sandy soils derived soils, numerous lakes, and extensive open and from glacial outwash the area include forestry for pulp production, overgrown barrens dominated by jack pine, nor- » Pothole lakes recreation, tourism, and some agriculture. thern pin oak and prairie species. The Northwest The numerous lakes have long attracted tourists Size: Sands area was formed along the convergence and recently have experienced significant » 1,970 square miles of the Superior and Chippewa glacial lobes. The growth in second home developments. » 1,262,100 acres resulting outwash plain consists of two distinctly (3.5% of ) different landforms: flat plains or terraces (formed Conservation Needs and Opportunities Population: from sediments of glacial meltwater rivers) Northwestern and northeastern Wisconsin » 53,000 and hummocky sediments (deposited by glacial (1.0% of Wisconsin’s meltwater rivers on masses of stagnant glacial represent two of the best opportunities in North population) America to restore pine-oak barrens. Pine-oak ice). The hummocky collapsed “outwash” is lower Notable species: in elevation than the nearby uncollapsed plains. barrens are characterized by scattered jack pines, or less commonly red pines, mixed with scrubby » Sharp-tailed grouse » The highly porous soils act like a sponge Hill’s and bur oaks. Interspersed within the Timber wolf » Karner blue butterfly to rapidly absorb, store, and later discharge patches of trees are openings of varying scales groundwater to surrounding rivers, streams » Kirtland’s warbler » Grassland birds » Waterfowl Legacy Places » Trumpeter swan Superior LS » Connecticut warbler eyer Bois Brule River M BB » Bluegill

» Sands Chequamegon - Nicolet Northern pike Thomas CN CN HW National Forests » Brook trout Solon Springs Sharptail Barrens State BB » Longnose dace Natural Area in Douglas County WR DOUGLAS CR Clam River » Wild rice » BAYFIELD CX Dwarf milkweed ASHLAND DS Danbury to Sterling Corridor » Richardson sedge NB ER ER Eau Claire River Natural communities: Northwest Minnesota SX (See Appendix B for descriptions) HW Highway 2 Grasslands » Emergent aquatic LG » Inland beach WASHBURN LS Lake Superior South Shore Streams » Northern dry forest NR LG Lower Totagatic River BURNETT » Northern dry-mesic forest CX SAWYER NB Namekagon - Brule Barrens » Northern sedge meadow CR NR Namekagon River » Northern wet forest DS UY » Open bog SX St. Croix River » Pine barrens UY Upper Yellow River » Submergent aquatic POLK BARRON WR White River RUSK

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 71 Figure 51: Legacy Places and public conservation lands of the Northwest Sands

13 Lake Superior Legacy Places and public conservation lands Bayfield Northwest Sands 1 2 LS Superior 1 105 13 Washburn Minnesota

2 CN Ashland HW 2 13 BB

1 WR 12 3

13 169

35 Mellen 77 7 27 NB r ive ER R 3 3 63 ix SX ro C t 1 S

7

2 5

Sands LG

77 77 6 13 Legacy Places 6 53 NR Hayward BB Bois Brule River

CN Chequamegon-Nicolet N 63 a 9 2 m National Forests e k a 2 11 g C 35 on Park CR Clam River lam Northwest River River Falls CX Crex Meadows CX 2 DS Danbury to Sterling Corridor 5 ER Eau Claire River Spooner 70 1 CR Public Conservation Lands Highway 2 Grasslands HW UY 70 10 LS Lake Superior South DS State Shore Streams 70 LG Lower Totagatic River 4 Shell Federal NB Namekagon-Brule Barrens 8 Lake NR Namekagon River 40 County Forest SX St. Croix River UY Upper Yellow River 48 27 Miles 0 2.5 5 10 WR White River 4

Cumberland 53 87 48 2 72 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Figure 52: Legacy Places and land cover of the Northwest Sands

13 Lake Superior Legacy Places and land cover Bayfield Northwest Sands 2 LS Superior

Minnesota 105 13 Washburn

2 Ashland CN HW 2 13 BB LAKE SUPERIOR WR WATERSHED

13 169

35 Mellen 77 27 NB ER

63 SX

LG Land Cover 77 Sands

77 13 Urban NR 53 Hayward Agriculture 63 Grassland UPPER CHIPPEWA 35 Park WATERSHED Falls CX Northwest Shrubland

70 Forest CR Spooner DS UY 70 Open Water 70

Open Wetland Shell Lake LOWER CHIPPEWA WATERSHED 40 Forested Wetland

ST. CROIX Miles 27 0 2.5 5 10 WATERSHED 48 53 87 48 Cumberland

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 73 Northwest Sands ecological landscape

Figure 53: Land cover of the Northwest Sands Figure 54: Public conservation and other land ownership Figure 55: Land cover of public conservation lands Public Conservation Lands in the Northwest Sands in the Northwest Sands

1 Map# Property Name Size (acres) Urban Urban Agriculture Open Water 0% Agriculture Other 0% State 5% 1% 60% Open Wetland 0% Grassland Grassland 4% s 1 Amsterdam Sloughs State Wildlife Area 5,750 Open Wetland 9% (private land, roads, 10% 9% County Forest Shrubland s 2 Bean Brook State Fishery Area2 1,330 schools, cemetaries, 22% Forested military lands, etc.) 10% 3 Brule River State Forest2 24,500 Forested Wetland s Shrubland 6% 2 Wetland 8% s 4 Clam River State Fishery Area 420 6% s 5 Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area 27,360 s 6 Danbury State Wildlife Area2 900 State s 7 Douglas County State Wildlife Area 980 7% s 8 Fish Lake State Wildlife Area2 13,100 s 9 Flat Creek State Wildlife Area 370 s10 Governor Knowles State Forest 2 9,710 Federal s11 Kiezer Lake State Wildlife Area 1,385 11% Forest 2 70% s12 White River State Fishery Area 1,580 Forest Miscellaneous Lands3 3,320 62% Federal s 1 Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest 2 120,820 s 2 St. Croix National Scenic Riverway2 30,790 dominated by herbs and shrubs, such as hazelnut Namekagon Barrens and Crex Meadows County Forest 4 and prairie willow. The flora often contains species State Wildlife Areas, and the Brule River State s 1 Bayfield County Forest 2 66,590 characteristic of “heaths” such as blueberry and Forest. From both a conservation and recreation s 2 Burnett County Forest 2 80,300 sweet fern. Also present are dry sand prairie perspective, there are many opportunities in this s 3 Douglas County Forest 2 73,500 species such as june grass, little bluestem, asters, ecological landscape to make key connections 2 s 4 Polk County Forest 10,280 and lupine. Pines may be infrequent, even absent, between existing protected properties. Sawyer County Forest 2 720 s5 in some stands because of past logging, altered s 6 Washburn County Forest 2 50,310 fire regimes, and an absence of seed source. s 7 Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area 5,000 Recreation Uses and Opportunities Sands Although remote from the state’s largest population Total 529,015 Given their rarity, it is not surprising that remnant and restored pine-oak barrens often centers, this area still receives considerable recreation

1 Actual acres owned in this Ecological Landscape. host a variety of rare species. Of notable interest use. Boating, paddling, and fishing in the area’s 2 This property also falls within adjacent Ecological Landscape(s). many lakes and rivers are extraordinarily popular, 3 Includes public access sites, fish hatcheries, fire towers, streambank and non-point easements, are the sharp-tailed grouse, Karner blue butterfly, lands acquired under statewide wildlife, fishery, forestry, and natural area programs, small properties several Neotropical migrant birds including the with the Brule, Namekagon, and St. Croix Rivers under 100 acres, and properties with fewer than 100 acres within this Ecological Landscape. 4 Locations and sizes of county owned parcels enrolled in the Forest Crop Law are presented here. Kirtland’s warbler and clay-colored sparrow, and estimated to draw over 100,000 visitors a year.

Northwest Information on locations and sizes of other county and local parks in this Ecological Landscape is not readily available and is not included here, except for some very large properties. many plant species. Several of these species require With almost 40% of this ecological landscape in large expanses of habitat, in various successional public ownership, hunting, day hiking, and wildlife stages, to maintain minimum viable populations. watching opportunities abound in the area. Crex To effectively meet the ecological needs of these Meadows is one of the Midwest’s most popular species, it is likely that tens of thousands of acres wildlife watching destinations. Winter sports, would need to be managed here in a mosaic snowmobiling in particular, are popular here. of barrens, grasslands, wetlands and forests. Given the amount of public recreation land Some significant barrens restoration work in the area, long distance trails are a possibility is already underway on several large public in the Northwest Sands, particularly if some critical properties including the Douglas County, gaps are filled. A portion of the runs across this ecological landscape.

74 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Northwest Sands ecological landscape BB Bois Brule River CN Chequamegon - Nicolet Size ...... Large National Forests Protection Initiated...... Substantial Size ...... Large Protection Remaining...... Limited Protection Initiated...... Substantial Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Protection Remaining...... Limited Legacy Places Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 The Bois Brule is one of the best known rivers Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 east of the Mississippi for fishing, paddling, and The Washburn District of the Chequamegon beautiful scenery. The Brule contains resident National Forest occurs on about 120,000 acres brook, brown and rainbow trout. Lake, brown, in the northern portion of the Northwest Sands and rainbow (steelhead) trout, along with coho ecological landscape. Its size and public owner- and chinook salmon, migrate up the Brule annually ship give it a large importance for both conser- Queen from Lake Superior. Native Americans and early vation and recreation uses. The area makes t ober Euro-American settlers used the Brule, with up only about 8% of the total land area of the R a portage to the St. Croix River, as a critical Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests, but has Exploring the bottom of the Bois Brule River travel link between Lake Superior and high importance ecologically. It occurs on a sandy the Mississippi River. outwash plain that supports jack pine forest, scrub The river’s headwaters and tributaries are The river itself has two distinct personalities. oak, and barrens, while the rest of the National high quality trout water known especially for The upper river (the southern portion, and the Forests are predominantly northern hardwoods. their excellent brown trout fishing. Downstream part within this ecological landscape) flows Extensive pine barrens restoration activities the river contains spawning areas for lake stur- through miles of coniferous bog of mature white have taken place at Moquah Barrens, a 7,000 geon, walleye, smallmouth bass, buffalo and cedar, balsam fir, and spruce. The conifer swamp acre wildlife management area. The barrens carpsuckers. Several lakes and impoundments remains in near pre-settlement condition and the provide important habitat for sharp-tailed grouse, along the mid to lower stretches contain wild ground layer is rich, with many ferns, mosses and upland sandpiper, Connecticut warbler, and rice stands and provide excellent lake fishing several species of orchids present. The swamp floor several plant and insect species of concern. and waterfowl hunting. The area has high is not level but occupies a seepage slope with a Aspen forests elsewhere in the Washburn recreation potential and currently receives noticeable gradient from the uplands to the river. District provide habitat for early-successional considerable fishing pressure in the upper This seepage slope discouraged development of wildlife species, and offer opportunities for ruffed reaches and is a popular canoeing river in the logging roads and trails. The sandy uplands absorb grouse and woodcock hunting. Off road vehicle lower reaches. The State currently manages three precipitation, which is stored in the organic soils use has been high in the District; guidelines projects in the headwaters area (Sand Creek and of the bog and seeps into the Brule, producing are currently being revised as part of the Clam River Fisheries Areas and McKenzie Creek stable summer flows. Bird life in this area is Wildlife Area). Most of the Clam River is located

National Forest planning process. Sands exceptionally varied with such uncommon species within a 1½ hour drive of the Twin Cities. as olive-sided flycatcher, golden- crowned kinglet, Lincoln’s sparrow, saw-whet owl, and black- CR Clam River backed woodpecker regularly nesting here. Size ...... Medium CX Crex Meadows Size ...... Medium The Brule River State Forest, a long, narrow Protection Initiated...... Moderate Protection Initiated...... Substantial Queen t band of public land centered upon the river, harbors Protection Remaining...... Substantial Protection Remaining...... Limited ober Northwest R a greater diversity of birds and mammals than Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 any other northern Wisconsin area of similar size. Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area in Burnett County Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 The forest has many distinct landscapes that allow The Clam River is a lightly developed, 55-mile for a wide range of species such as deer, ruffed long river, originating in Polk County and flowing Since its inception in 1946, Crex Meadows grouse, geese, bald eagles, osprey and songbirds. northwesterly through Burnett County before State Wildlife Area has evolved into one of the Hunting, camping, hiking, cross-country skiing entering the St. Croix River. The river corridor is premier wildlife viewing sites in the Midwest. and snowmobiling are all popular activities on the heavily forested with bottomland hardwoods along It is one of the largest and most heavily used State Forest. The southern part of the State Forest, part of its course. Adjacent uplands along the upper wildlife areas in Wisconsin with more than along with the large tracts of industrial forest lands half of the river consist of mixed farmland, forest, 100,000 people visiting each year. Its popularity south of the boundary, could play a very important and bedrock glade, while the lower half winds is due to its large size, unobstructed vistas, wide part in maintaining a mosaic of working forest through sand country characterized by dry jack range of habitats, diversity and abundance and barrens at a scale large enough to support pine-Hill’s oak forests and remnant barrens. of wildlife, and abundant opportunities significant acreage at a variety of ecological stages. to view wildlife.

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 75 Northwest Sands Danbury, Crex Meadows (written up separately), Amsterdam Sloughs, and Fish Lake State Wildlife ecological landscape Areas, as well as Burnett and Polk County Forests, are within this corridor and provide a variety of exceptional wildlife habitats and recreation Wetlands, primarily sedge marshes, comprise opportunities. Waterfowl and shorebirds, in approximately half of the area. Extensive diking particular, are attracted to the large, high quality of these sedge marshes has resulted in the creation wetlands. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway of 6,000 acres of deep-water marsh. Upland vege- and Governor Knowles State Forest lie on the tation includes 7,000 acres of restored brush-prairie west edge of the area. Providing ecological links and 6,000 acres of oak, jack pine, and aspen forests. between these public properties would enable These different habitat types are interspersed them to meet the needs of species that require over the flat to gently rolling terrain. More very large amounts of habitat. In particular, sharp- than 200 species of birds as well as numerous tailed grouse are believed to need thousands, if not mammals, reptiles, and amphibians can tens of thousands, of acres of habitat to support be seen on the property. a population that can remain viable over a long period of time. This corridor has the opportunity Danbury to Sterling Corridor to support such a large population (Crex Meadows DS already harbors the largest population east of Size ...... Large

the Mississippi River). The Danbury to Sterling Queen Protection Initiated...... Substantial t ober

Corridor is also a prime area for recovery of the R Protection Remaining...... Moderate federally-Endangered Karner blue butterfly. Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Sharp-tailed Grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus) at Namekagon Barrens Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 The Danbury to Sterling corridor is located ER Eau Claire River on sandy glacial outwash. Historically, the area Size ...... Small LS Lake Superior South NB Namekagon - Brule Barrens was a fire dependent, open mosaic of prairie, brush Protection Initiated...... Limited Size ...... Large land, and savanna, with occasional stands of coni- Shore Streams Protection Remaining...... Moderate Protection Initiated...... Moderate ferous, deciduous, or mixed forest. Currently, many See Superior Coastal Plains Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Protection Remaining...... Moderate lands are being managed predominantly for jack ecological landscape. Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 pine pulpwood. The resulting mosaic of cut-over, The Eau Claire River drains the Eau Claire Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 standing timber, and young forests provides Lakes chain, flowing roughly 13 miles before excellent habitat for white-tailed deer, LG Lower Totagatic River Running from the west central Bayfield entering the St. Croix River near the town of wild turkey and ruffed grouse. Size ...... Medium County to northwest Polk County, this swath Gordon. For about eight miles below the lakes, Sands Protection Initiated...... Moderate of land represents one of the best places to the river harbors trout. In other reaches there Protection Remaining...... Moderate combine large scale pine barrens restoration is a mixed warmwater fishery, including walleye, Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 with active forestry practices. Namekagon Barrens muskellunge, northern pike, smallmouth bass, Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 and Douglas County State Wildlife Areas, large panfish, and suckers. Lake sturgeon once ranged public properties where significant barrens habitat The Totagatic River, from the Totagatic throughout this system before dams were con- has been restored, are located here. Unfortunately, Flowage in eastern Washburn County to the structed. A small hydroelectric dam near the lower it appears these properties are too small and iso- end of the river, no longer in operation, impounds Namekagon River, is a high quality, warmwater Northwest lated to maintain viable populations of several river containing a variety of substrates ranging the Eau Claire River Flowage. The lower portion of the species that characterize this landscape. from sand and silt to rubble, boulders and bedrock. of the river flows through part of the Brule River Of particular management concern are sharp-tailed The shoreline is primarily undeveloped except State Forest. Several small, high quality lakes grouse, Connecticut warbler and upland sandpiper. for portions of two impoundments on the river: occur near the river and could be an important If existing public properties were expanded or part of an overall protection strategy. the Colton and Minong Flowages. Shoreland ourism linked with a protected mosaic of farm fields, t habitat types consist mainly of lowland and of t forest, barrens, and grassland habitat, this corridor upland hardwoods with significant portions men t could enable critical movement of species as well of marshes and bog habitat as well as oxbow HW Highway 2 Grasslands as more effective land management strategies. ponds. Numerous warm and cold water streams See Superior Coastal Plains and wetlands drain into the Totogatic, enhancing Wisconsin depar ecological landscape. its diversity. Many large, high quality forest Whitewater rafting blocks occur in the valley.

76 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Northwest Sands A considerable portion of the area is owned by industrial forest companies and managed ecological landscape SX St. Croix River primarily for red pine. Much of the rest of the Size ...... Large area is currently a mix of woodlands consisting Protection Initiated...... Substantial of jack pine, red pine and oak, grassland, small Protection Remaining...... Limited lakes, wetland, and farmland. Nearly all of the Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 lakes in the area that are not within either public Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 or industrial forest ownership are heavily deve- Flowing out of the spring-fed Upper St. Croix loped. Although some plantation-type forestry Lake, the river begins as a shallow, narrow, in the area would not conflict with maintaining relatively fast waterway. Here in its upper functioning pine barrens habitat, extensive single reaches, the river flows through stands of cedar, species-even aged forests can dramatically reduce spruce, and tamarack in the Douglas County plant and animal diversity for the entire region. Forest. The area harbors a variety of nesting birds Commercial forestry has played, and can con- Lange

and rare plants. Near the Namekagon Barrens, t tinue to play, an important role as one part of

the St. Croix is joined by the Namekagon River erber an over-all management regime to perpetuate H and enters the Northwest Lowlands ecological a functioning barrens ecosystem. landscape. The river continues to the south- Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) In addition to the ecological benefits of west and forms the boundary of this ecological connecting existing public properties, many landscape. As such, the rivers that flow off recreation opportunities exist in this area the Northwest Sands to the west—including that would benefit from linking public lands. the Totagatic, Yellow, and Clam— play Other Areas of Interest Of particular interest may be sharp-tailed critical roles in the St. Croix River’s Buckley Creek (Douglas County) grouse hunting, bird watching trails, and water quality and quantity. Originating in Deer Lake, Buckley Creek watchable wildlife auto trails. The St. Croix valley forms an important flows through a variety of wetland habitats ecological connection between the Mississippi before entering the St. Croix River. The small River and the Great Lakes, via the Brule River watershed includes pine, fir, pine-oak barrens Namekagon River and aspen habitats and connects significant NR State Forest. In this upper stretch, the St. Croix Size ...... Large blocks of Douglas County Forest and lands receives light recreational pressure, mostly Protection Initiated...... Substantial within the State Natural Area program. fishing and canoeing. Protection Remaining...... Limited The creek supports a good trout fishery. Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Crystal Brook (Washburn County) Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 UY Upper Yellow River Crystal Brook, a high quality stream contain- The Namekagon River is part of the National Size ...... Small ing impressive populations of native brook and brown trout, flows into Spooner Lake. Existing Park Service’s St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Protection Initiated...... Moderate Sands wetlands along the brook provide abundant It begins as a narrow, cool trout stream flowing Protection Remaining...... Moderate waterfowl nesting and furbearing habitat. through the marshes, mixed hardwoods and pine Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 forests that lie within a broad valley sculpted The State owns 64 acres that are used as a Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 boat access site for Spooner Lake. Protecting by the glaciers. The lower reaches of the river Upstream of Yellow Lake, the Yellow River this stream corridor would help maintain eyer

M pass through many high, sandy banks and sharp winds its way through one of the largest forested water quality in Spooner Lake. turns. Four flowages occur over its 98-mile length.

Thomas swamps in the Northwest Sands ecological

The river is very popular for canoeing and fishing. Stuntz Brook (Washburn County) Northwest landscape. Many bogs, groves of red pine, and The Namekagon forms an important ecological The Stuntz Brook corridor is fairly remote Buckley Creek and Barrens State Natural Area in Douglas County nutrient-poor fens occur here. The river corridor link between the St. Croix/Mississippi River and undeveloped, providing diverse habitat for supports a wide diversity of bird species and is system and the Chequamegon National whitetail deer, black bear, upland grouse, and important habitat for many Neotropical migrant Forest and surrounding County Forests. timber wolves. Timber types include aspen, birds. With its riffles, rapids and steep terrace oak and other northern hardwoods, and white walls, the river is a popular paddling destination. pine. Wetlands adjacent to Stuntz Brook provide excellent habitat for furbearing mammals. WR White River See Superior Coastal Plains ecological landscape.

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 77