Plains
Key characteristics: Superior Coastal Plains » Coastal estuaries
» Sandscapes Coastal
ecological landscape » Boreal conifer-hardwood forest » Shoreline cliffs » Red clay soils » Bottomland hardwood Attributes and Characteristics forest in the major rivers Legacy Places Superior This ecological landscape is centered on the » Migratory bird low plains of Lake Superior’s south shore. Two BD Bad River concentration sites large pockets of this low plain occur in Wisconsin: BB Bois Brule River Size: one between the City of Superior and Port Wing and HW Highway 2 Grasslands » 1,415 square miles the other between Ashland and the Montreal River. » 905,800 acres The Bayfield Peninsula ridge splits these low plains. LS Lake Superior South (2.5% of Wisconsin) This ecological landscape includes the near-lake Shore Streams Population: portion of the ridge as well as the Apostle Islands. MU Manitou Falls - Black River An escarpment, rising several hundred feet above » 56,000 the plain, marks this ecological landscape’s southern MD Middle River Contact (1.1% of Wisconsin’s population) boundary. Underlying this landscape is a very MT Montreal River thick band of clay deposited when lake levels were MA Mt. Ashwabay Notable species: considerably higher. Outcroppings of sandstone » Anadromous fish bedrock occur along the northern margin NJ Nemadji River and Wetlands » Lake whitefish of the Bayfield Peninsula and along the ST St. Louis Estuary and » Lake herring shores of some of the Apostle Islands. Pokegama Wetlands » Ninespine stickleback » LeConte’s sparrow WR White River » Piping plover » Common tern » Auricled twayblade orchid » Lake Superior Along the Lake Butterwort » t Queen Wild rice r Superior shoreline
Robe » Vasey rush AI AI Apostle Islands Whittlesey Creek Minnesota Natural communities: WL BY Big Bay (See Appendix B for descriptions) QP Chequamegon Point - » Bedrock shore LS BY CK MA Kakagon Sloughs » Boreal forest » Dry and moist cliffs Superior WI CK QP Quarry Point to Bark Point ST BB » Emergent aquatic NJ Western Lake Superior » Great Lakes barrens MD HW WL BAYFIELD » Great Lakes beach BD Drowned River Mouths MT » Great Lakes dune MU HW Wisconsin Point WR WI » Interdunal wetland DOUGLAS » Open bog
IRON » Shore fen ASHLAND » Submergent aquatic » Surrogate grasslands
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 57 Plains
Figure 41: Legacy Places and public conservation lands of the Superior Coastal Plains Coastal
Legacy Places and public conservation lands
Superior Coastal Plains AI
2 Superior WL Lake Superior 13 6
QP Bayfield 1 8 BY LS 3
8 MA er iv R
2 Superior WI s ui o 8 L 4 CK t S 105 BB ST 13 1 Washburn
9 NJ 1 4 MD 2 HW 3 Ashland
2 7 8 BD MT Legacy Places 13 River MU HW BD Bad River 11 White BB Bois Brule River
HW Highway 2 Grasslands WR B a d LS Lake Superior South Shore Streams 2 10
MU Manitou Falls-Black River River MD Middle River Contact 3 122 2 MT Montreal River 169 MA Mt. Ashwabay 13
NJ Nemadji River and Wetlands 53 5 ST St. Louis Estuary and Pokegama Wetlands 35 Mellen 77 WR White River 27 Minnesota Along the Lake Public Conservation Lands Superior shoreline State AI Apostle Islands BY Big Bay Federal CK Chequamegon Point- 63 Kakagon Sloughs QP Quarry Point to Bark Point County Forest WL Western Lake Superior Drowned River Mouths Miles WI Wisconsin Point 0 2.5 5 10
58 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Plains
Figure 42: Legacy Places and land cover of the Superior Coastal Plains Coastal
Legacy Places and land cover
Superior Coastal Plains AI
Minnesota Superior WL 13 Lake Superior
QP Bayfield LS BY MA
2
Superior WI CK 105 BB ST 13 LAKE SUPERIOR Washburn WATERSHED NJ MD HW 2 Ashland
2 BD MT 13 MU HW
WR Land Cover
Urban 122
Agriculture 53 13 169
Grassland
35 Shrubland Mellen 77 27 Forest
Open Water
Open Wetland 63 ST. CROIX Forested Wetland WATERSHED
Miles 0 2.5 5 10 UPPER CHIPPEWA WATERSHED
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 59 Plains
Superior Coastal Plains Chequamegon National Forest, Brule River State Forest, St. Louis River Streambank ecological landscape Protection Area, Superior Municipal Forest, and several State Parks and Natural Areas. Coastal There are very few natural lakes within this landscape but many small rivers and streams Conservation Needs and Opportunities flowing north to Lake Superior dissect the lake plain The area’s extensive, high quality coastal and peninsula. Soils are moderately well drained wetlands and estuaries provide critical habitat (on the peninsula) to poorly drained (where the red for many Neotropical migratory songbirds, Superior clay is near the surface). Before European settlement, waterfowl, shorebirds, and rare plants. Of parti- white pine, white spruce and paper birch were the cular conservation value are the Apostle Islands, dominant trees on uplands in the area and this Chequamegon Bay and Point, and the St. Louis was the only area in the state to support sizable River estuary. In addition to wetlands, the shore- tracts of boreal forest. Tamarack and white cedar line also consists of many sandstone cliffs and were dominant on the forested lowlands. Trembling clay bluffs that harbor rare plant species. (quaking) aspen is now dominant throughout the landscape as a result of past disturbance and Wisconsin is at the southern limit of the the succession of idle farmland, as well as active range of boreal forests and, as such, they have management for earlier succession forests. Boreal always been a rare element in the state. They forest remnants consisting of spruce, fir, white were, however, a dominant community type in pine and associated hardwoods (aspen, balsam the Superior Coastal Plains. Today, remnants, none poplar, white birch, and red maple) still exist. larger than 300 acres, exist at several scattered locations with the best potential restoration sites The majority of this ecological landscape located near the Brule River and the Pokegama remains forested, with only a small amount wetlands. Although not native to this area, a swath of the land being used for agriculture. Urban of grassland habitat running roughly between development threatens some coastal wetlands. Superior and Ashland on fallow farm fields provides The Kakagon-Bad River Sloughs are of special important habitat for many northern grassland t Queen ecological interest. Public lands within this area birds, mammals, waterfowl, and amphibians. r
include the Apostle Island National Lakeshore, Robe Mouth of the Bois Brule River
Figure 43: Land cover of the Superior Coastal Plains Figure 44: Public conservation and other land ownership Figure 45: Land cover of public conservation land in the Superior Coastal Plains in the Superior Coastal Plains
Open Water Urban County Forest Urban Agriculture 1% 2% Open Wetland 0% 0% Grassland Open Wetland Agriculture 10% 1% 6% 4% 8% State Forested Shrubland Forested 5% Wetland Wetland 2% Grassland 5% 4% 19% Federal 5%
Shrubland 3%
Other 80% (private land, roads, Forest Forest 62% schools, cemetaries, military lands, etc.) 83%
60 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Robert Queen Wisconsin L Wisconsin Sunset on Chequamegon Bay Chequamegon on Sunset a n d L d e g a c y Re y p o r t
receives, snowmobiling avery is popular activity parks but incomplete. remains passes through manyTrail of these eagles and black and the bears, largest collection caves, remnant old-growth forests, resident bald pristine stretches of sand sea beach, spectacular from throughout Apostle The North America. along theruns escarpment at the southern edge of lighthouses anywhere the in National Park parks situated along the of waterfalls that string the popular in are several statehiking and local bird watchers from across the region. Camping and at theoccur western end of Superior Lake and attract birds (waterbirds,migratory songbirds, and raptors) walleye and bass. Exceptional concentrations of and diverse fishery including trout, salmon, pike, Montreal. Chequamegon Bay hosts avery productive paddling waters,ular notably the and Brule the for trout and salmon. Several of the rivers pop- are system. With aseries of primitive campsites of ecologicallandscape. this North The Country SuperiorLake and its shoreline draw visitors Opportunities and Uses Recreation of hunting the apopular area, activity also is here. remote nature and low population density of much landscapes,ecological apriority. remains Given the network trail linear here, and connections adjacent to the long thein Superior Maintaining Plains. Coastal Islands National Lakeshore includes 21 islands offer Plains excellentCoastal particularly fishing, the uplands surrounding through the Superior unparalleled the in Midwest. offers aboating and paddling experience scattered throughout the islands, the area shoreline,and milesof 12 mainland featuring Given the heavy snowfall the typically area manyThe streams and rivers flowing off
4 3 2 1 TOTAL Property Map# Public Conservation Lands County Forest County Federal State
Actual acres owned in in owned acres Actual Locations and sizes of county owned parcels enrolled in the Forest Crop Law are presented here. here. presented are Law Crop Forest the in enrolled parcels owned county of sizes and Locations easements, non-point and streambank towers, fire hatcheries, fish sites, access public Includes Landscape(s). Ecological adjacent within falls also property This is not readily available and is not included here, except for some very large properties. large very some for except here, included not is and available readily Landscape not is Ecological this in parks local and county other of sizes and locations on Information Landscape. Ecological this within acres 100 than fewer with properties and properties small acres, 100 under programs, area natural and forestry, fishery, wildlife, statewide under acquired lands
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s 10 11
2 4 3 2 1 3 2 8 7 6 5 4 3 1 1 9
Miscellaneous Lands Miscellaneous State Fish And Wildlife Area Wildlife And Fish State White River State Fishery Area Fishery State River White Bibon Swamp State Natural Area Natural State Swamp Bibon Superior Municipal Forest Municipal Superior Forest County Iron Forest County Douglas Forest County Bayfield Refuge Wildlife National Creek Whittlesey Lakeshore National Islands Apostle Superior Lake Shore South Park State Pattison Area Natural State Bog Creek Lost Park State Falls Copper Forest State River Brule Park State Bay Big Park State Falls Amnicon Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest National Chequamegon-Nicolet Area Protection Bank Stream River Louis St. White River State Wildlife Area Wildlife State River White this 4
Lega Ecological Landscape. Ecological
Name c y Pl y
2 a 2
ces ces 3
2 2 2
2
b
y Ecological Landscape Ecological y 2
2
2
2
ie(acres) Size
179,540 15,090 69,870 41,100 2,900 2,300 5,390 4,500 6,230 7,880 1,430 7,630 2,150 1,100 9,130 460 600 300 830 950
1
61
Superior Coastal Plains Plains
Superior Coastal Plains The river itself has two distinct personalities. Bad River The upper river (the southern portion) flows Lake Superior ecological landscape BD LS Size...... Large through miles of coniferous bog and is fed by South Shore Streams numerous springs. Where the river crosses the Protection Initiated...... Substantial Size ...... Large Coastal
Copper Range, it begins a fall of 328 feet in the Protection Remaining...... Limited Protection Initiated...... Substantial 18 miles to Lake Superior. Here, flashing cascades Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 Protection Remaining...... Moderate tumble over rocks and ledges between steep river Legacy Places Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 bluffs forested with aspen, spruce, and balsam fir. The Bad River flows through a wide variety Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 of habitats in a relatively short span. Starting The Brule River State Forest, a long, narrow A series of streams originate within the
Superior at the forested heights of the Penokee-Gogebic band of public land centered around the river, Bayfield sand barrens and make their way Range it quickly drops through deep forests. harbors a greater diversity of birds and mammals through the Superior Coastal Plains before Copper Falls State Park, where the river drops than any other northern Wisconsin area of similar entering Lake Superior. They provide a valuable over the escarpment, hosts spectacular canyons, size. The forest has many distinct landscapes corridor for a vast variety of wildlife species by streams and waterfalls. The park draws visitors that allow for a wide range of species such as connecting headwater reaches with extremely year round and is popular with photographers, deer, ruffed grouse, geese, bald eagle, osprey rare coastal estuaries. The high quality spawning hikers, campers, and cross-country skiers. Many and songbirds. Hunting, camping, hiking, cross- beds of these streams produce an abundance high quality waters feed the system, notably country skiing and snowmobiling are all popular of trout and salmon that attract large numbers the White, Marengo, Brunsweiler, Potato activities on the State Forest. Within and adjacent of anglers to the streams and Lake Superior. and Tyler Forks Rivers. to the State Forest, near where the Brule enters Lake Superior, there are opportunities to restore As development has occurred in the area, Below Copper Falls, the Bad River flows and manage significant stands of boreal forest. there has been an adverse impact on the water through lowland forests and then out to sloughs Much of the land outside the State Forest is flow of many of these streams resulting in damaged where it meets Lake Superior. Here, the Bad and within industrial forest ownership. in-stream habitat conditions. Some state lands White Rivers flow through the Bad River Indian occur along these streams, but a greater area Reservation. The Bad River tribe manages most is in need of protection, particularly in the of the land within the Reservation and because HW Highway 2 Grasslands headwaters, if the quality of the fisheries is of their strong stewardship ethic this area Size...... Small to be maintained. Some of these important retains significant natural resources. Protection Initiated...... Limited streams and rivers include the Iron (where Protection Remaining...... Moderate the Orienta Dam was recently removed), Flag, Conservation Significance...... 0 0 Cranberry, Bark, Siskiwit, Raspberry, Onion, BB Brois Brule River Recreation Potential ...... 0 Pike, and Sioux Rivers and their tributaries. Size...... Large Protection Initiated...... Substantial Straddling US Highway 2 from Ashland to t Queen r Protection Remaining...... Limited Superior is a series of grasslands that provide MU Manitou Falls - Black River Robe important habitat for many northern birds, Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 See the Northwest Sands ecological landscape. mammals, waterfowl, and amphibians. These Bad River Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 grassland communities are not native to the red The Bois Brule is one of the best known rivers clay plain but are the result of the conversion Middle River Contact east of the Mississippi for fishing, paddling, and of forests to farmland after the northern forest MD Size ...... Small beautiful scenery. The Brule contains resident was originally logged. Much of this area was once Protection Initiated...... Limited brook, brown and rainbow trout. Lake, brown, farmed for hay, pasture, and some small grains; Protection Remaining...... Moderate and rainbow (steelhead) trout, along with coho however, now only a fraction is still actively used Conservation Significance...... 0 and chinook salmon, migrate up the Brule annually for agriculture. Fallow farmland is reverting to Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 from Lake Superior. Native Americans and early brush and forest, either naturally or by planting. Euro-American settlers used the Brule, with Where wetlands have reverted to native vegetation Located in Douglas County where the Middle a portage to the St. Croix River, as a critical or have been restored, they are well utilized River drops over the escarpment, this scenic travel link between Lake Superior by waterfowl from Lake Superior for resting area includes waterfalls and interesting geologic and the Mississippi River. and nesting. The adjoining old fields provide features. Lying between Amnicon Falls State Park excellent feeding areas. and the Brule River State Forest, this area provides an opportunity to connect the two, as well as the grasslands to the north of USH 2. Several types of outdoor recreation that take advantage of the topography are possible here.
62 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Plains
Superior Coastal Plains complex which contains a mix of open sedge meadows, forested wetlands, and pockets of small ecological landscape MA Mt. Ashwabay ST St. Louis Estuary and Size ...... Small Pokegama Wetlands uplands supporting aspen, pine, birch, and fir. The wetland complex harbors many rare plants. Protection Initiated...... Substantial Size ...... Large Coastal Protection Remaining...... Limited Protection Initiated...... Substantial The St. Louis Estuary and Pokegama Wetlands Montreal River Conservation Significance...... 0 0 Protection Remaining...... Moderate drain into Lake Superior near the Superior MT Recreation Potential...... 0 0 Size ...... Large Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 municipal water system intakes and may affect Protection Initiated...... Moderate The sides of Mt. Ashwabay contain a core Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 the raw water quality of that system. The Superior system provides drinking water to approximately Protection Remaining...... Moderate area of old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest The St. Louis River estuary is a unique
29,600 customers. Superior Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 (including a large sugar bush) that is important combination of industrial use and high quality Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 habitat for many northern bird species. There natural resources. Given its deep river channel, is an opportunity to manage a larger area for Two main forks draining out of the northern the Superior-Duluth area has long played an White River old-growth forest. The forest, on the slopes of important role in the country’s rail and shipping WR highlands feed the Montreal River. After cutting Size...... Large Mt. Ashwabay, provides a scenic backdrop for transportation infrastructure. As a result, much through the Penokee-Gogebic Range, the river’s Protection Initiated...... Moderate residents and visitors to Bayfield and provides of St. Louis Bay is heavily developed for industrial considerable drop provides a spectacular valley Protection Remaining...... Moderate excellent habitat for Neotropical migrant birds. purposes. However, further upstream, particularly studded with whitewater, waterfalls, and steep Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 on the Wisconsin side, the river retains much of cliffs. Of particular note is a two mile stretch, the Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 its wild character and provides habitat for a very Montreal Canyon, where the river has cut through Nemadji River and Wetlands conglomerate, shale and sandstone, forming NJ large number of diverse plant and animal species. Originating from a series of spring fed lakes Size ...... Medium that feed many tributaries, the White River steep cliffs over 200 feet high. The Saxon and The south side of the river contains substantial Protection Initiated...... Limited flows from the Chequamegon National Forest, Superior Flowages lie upstream and downstream, public ownership with many high quality habitats. Protection Remaining...... Moderate through Bibon Swamp, and via the Bad River respectively, from the canyon and directly influence The 4,500-acre Superior Municipal Forest harbors Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 into Lake Superior. The headwater streams are water levels. Primary hardwood species in the significant stands of mature coniferous forest, Recreation Potential...... 0 cold, fast, and highly productive. At Bibon Swamp, valley include red oak, aspen, sugar and red maple, extensive emergent marsh, and wet clay flats the river and its surroundings change; the flow paper and yellow birch, and basswood. The most The river and its tributaries flow through supporting a mixture of shrub swamp and wet slows, the river’s course meanders extensively, common conifers include red and white pine, white areas of sand, loamy tills, and glacial outwash meadow. The coniferous forests here are composed and the valley floor widens. The vegetation types cedar, hemlock, fir, and spruce. The canyon harbors primarily in Minnesota and glacial lake-laid primarily of species often associated with the found in Bibon Swamp are unusually varied for several rare species, with some cedar and spruce clays in Wisconsin. The pre-settlement vegetation boreal regions, with canopy dominants including such a topographically uniform basin. Natural clinging to the sides of the canyon walls. was typical transition boreal forest, dominated white spruce, white pine, balsam fir, balsam by super-canopy white pine, main canopy spruce communities present range from open bog to From the Penokee-Gogebic Range downstream poplar, and paper birch. Resident birds include and balsam fir and white cedar. The deciduous muskeg to wet conifer swamp. Because of the to Lake Superior there is little access to the river many species associated with mature conifers, component was white birch, aspen, and black ash. size and varied vegetation, the area hosts a and as a result it has considerable wilderness such as Blackburnian, black-throated green, pine, Current tree cover is dominated by deciduous trees variety of wildlife and is a vital connecting link character. The river’s fast moving water supports yellow-rumped, parula, and Cape May warblers. but is slowly succeeding to conifer cover typical between the extensive forests of the south and an excellent coldwater fishery of brook, brown, In addition to its significant natural resources, of pre-settlement conditions. Clay plain meadows west and the Bad River corridor downstream. and rainbow trout. During the spring, steelhead the Municipal Forest hosts an extensive network and marshes are common in the upper reaches Downstream from this vast wetland, the river and salmon move into the stretch from Lake of motorized and non-motorized trails. of the watershed. Terraces along the lower flows through a large forest block before entering Superior to Superior Falls. Warmwater species, Nemadji support significant floodplain Further west lies the state-owned St. Louis the White River Flowage. From this impoundment, particularly northern pike, muskellunge, and forest and marsh communities. River Streambank Protection Area, a large block the river slowly winds through high quality forests walleye, may be found in the vicinity of the two of rough, deeply dissected, red clay landscape and wetlands before joining the Bad River near flowages. The river is a popular whitewater The Nemadji River and Wetlands drain into drained by the Red River and its tributaries. its confluence with Lake Superior on the kayaking and canoeing destination. Lake Superior near the Superior municipal water Some of the small terraces in the ravine bottoms Bad River Indian Reservation. system intakes and may affect the raw water contain mature stands of large white spruce, The White River and its tributaries support quality of that system. The Superior system black ash, and balsam poplar. Upper portions of a very productive cold water fishery. In its upper provides drinking water to approximately the St. Louis River Estuary, from Fond du Lac reaches of the watershed, brook and brown trout 29,600 customers. downstream to Oliver, feature extensive emergent are abundant. Below the flowage, the river supports marshes. Immediately adjacent to the state line anadromous runs of trout and salmon. These lies Minnesota’s 8,800-acre Jay Cooke State Park, significant runs, along with the quality fishing which also contains extensive forests and marshes. in the upper reaches, draw anglers from To the south of the Municipal Forest and the throughout the Midwest. Streambank Area lies the large Pokegama wetland
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 63 Plains
Superior Coastal Plains ecological landscape Coastal Legacy Places
Superior along the Lake Superior Shoreline Extending roughly 150 miles from the The Bayfield County shoreline becomes City of Superior to the Montreal River, the more rugged and undeveloped. East of Lake Superior shoreline is Wisconsin’s wildest Quarry Point are actively eroding clay and least-developed segment of Great Lakes bluffs, some rising over 100 feet. A stretch shore. Although urban development is limited from Squaw Bay to Sand Bay is part of the to Superior, Ashland, and smaller settlements Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and such as Washburn and Bayfield, scattered contains sculptured, multi-colored, sandstone housing occurs along the shore. Along the bluffs and some impressive sea caves. The undeveloped portions of the shore are drowned Red Cliff Indian Reservation, at the tip of the river mouths, sandy and rocky beaches, Bayfield Peninsula, also contains extensive slumping clay bluffs, wave cut sandstone bluff lands. Just west of Ashland is the newly- cliffs, and large sloughs containing wild rice. established Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife A multitude of streams flow across the coastal Refuge. Whittlesey Creek is an important plain and empty into Lake Superior. Most are spawning ground for coho salmon and there small with steep sides, but contain resident is hope that it might someday serve as a point trout and also serve as important spawning of reintroduction for the nearly-extinct strain waters for lake-run trout and salmon. of lake-run brook trout known as “coasters.”
In response to the melting of the last glacier, The Ashland County shoreline is domi- Lake Superior’s western end has been slowly nated by the Kakagon-Bad River Sloughs, tilting downwards toward the south and west. an extensive estuary with very significant As a result, a series of “drowned” river mouths ecological values that lie entirely within the has formed. One of the best examples can Bad River Indian Reservation. The lake shore
ism be seen at the St. Louis River estuary, where of Iron County is fairly wild and roadless r the former river channel has been flooded and characterized by extensive red clay bluffs. by the lake, now enabling large ships to move Saxon Harbor is a popular boat launching tment of tou r upriver 11 miles to Gary, Minnesota. Most and recreational spot. The Montreal River of the Douglas County shoreline is rather forms the border between Wisconsin and Wisconsin depa low and heavily forested. About nine miles Michigan, with Superior Falls located Lake Superior shoreline of the shore is within the project boundary very close to the river’s mouth. of the Brule River State Forest.
64 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Plains
Superior Coastal Plains and a diverse array of peatlands. Coastal fen, coastal bog, shrub swamp, and tamarack ecological landscape WL Western Lake Superior swamp border the lagoon. An abandoned sandspit, Drowned River Mouths Other Areas of Interest now three-quarters of a mile inland from Lake Houghton Falls and Point Coastal
Superior, separates a much more acid complex Size...... Medium (Bayfield County ) of peatland types, including open bog, muskeg, Protection Initiated...... Moderate AI Apostle Islands This small, scenic site is unique in having and black spruce swamp, from the more mineral Protection Remaining...... Moderate a waterfall dropping into a finger of Lake Size ...... Large rich types to the east. The primary coastal spit Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Superior, which extends up a small gorge. Protection Initiated...... Substantial is mostly forested, with all three pine species Recreation Potential ...... 0 Some boreal forest remains here. Recreation Protection Remaining...... Limited native to Wisconsin present. This mosaic use could focus on the waterfalls and gorge.
In addition to the St. Louis Estuary are a Superior Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 of natural communities is one of the most number of small, drowned river mouths that Sultz Swamp (Bayfield County ) Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 unusual, diverse, and pristine in the Great occur in Bayfield County. Examples include This acid peatland occupies a depression Lakes. The entire embayment is protected Ice, wind, and waves have carved the 22 Port Wing, Bark Bay, Lost Creek, Sand Bay, and high on the Bayfield Peninsula approximately within the Big Bay State Park. islands that make up the Apostles for over a Raspberry Bay. These bays and their surrounding six miles inland from the Lake Superior coast. million years. The result is a dramatic shoreline uplands support mosaics of high quality natural Although there are other, similar wetlands featuring sandstone cliffs, sea caves, and miles in this part of the basin, Sultz Swamp is the Chequamegon Point/ communities including: coastal fen, coastal bog, of pristine sand beaches. The Apostle Islands CK tamarack swamp, dry pine forest, sand spit, beach, largest and is embedded within vast stretches of county-owned forest. The major features display a rich assemblage of scenic features Kakagon Slough and dune. In addition to providing important of this insular peatland include a mature forest and natural and cultural resources. The Apostle Size...... Small spawning habitat, these areas harbor many rare Islands National Lakeshore was established Protection Initiated...... Substantial of black spruce, an extensive muskeg/open bog, plants, birds, and insects. Collectively, these river and large populations of several rare species. in 1970 and now includes 21 of the islands Protection Remaining...... Limited mouths provide critical habitat for many birds Disturbances to the interior of the site have been in the group, as well as a 12-mile strip Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 during the spring and fall migrations. 0 minimal, with the exception of a maintained of shoreline on the mainland. Recreation Potential ...... power line corridor that crosses the area. Because it is situated at the south end The islands’ many habitats harbor an At the mouth of the Bad River are some of of Chequamegon Bay, the coastal wetlands Superior Airport Wetlands exceptional diversity of plants and animals. the largest and highest quality coastal wetlands at Fish Creek Bay are flooded and exposed as (Douglas County ) White and yellow birch, red and sugar maple, in the Great Lakes. This vast wetland complex the “seiche tides” move in and out of the Bay. A large wetland complex of shrub swamp balsam fir, and white cedar now dominate the of sloughs is also an important spawning and When the mud flats are exposed, the area and open meadow, with a few small patches island forests. Limited stands of old-growth nursery area for many fish species. Along with attracts tens of thousands of shorebirds. of emergent marsh, surrounds the Superior white pine and hemlock also remain. Thirty-five these wetlands is a long narrow sand spit, Much of the area is owned by the DNR. airport. Despite the disturbances that have mammal species and over two hundred forty Chequamegon Point-Long Island, which provides altered the composition, structure, function, birds have been identified within the Lakeshore. critical nesting and resting habitat for many size, and configuration of these wetlands, The Islands provide a unique remote experience migratory waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. WI Wisconsin Point they harbor significant populations of rare for boaters and paddlers. Camping opportunities The Bad River tribe manages much of this area plants, some of which are only known Size ...... Small to occur in a few locations in the state. range from developed sites near docks to mini- in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, Protection Initiated...... Limited mal-impact wilderness camping. All sites are and is the primary reason this area harbors Protection Remaining...... Moderate Tern and Interstate Islands located on islands in Lake Superior; none are such outstanding natural resources. Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 (Ashland and Douglas Counties) accessible by road. Although a considerable Recreation Potential ...... 0 Located in Chequamegon Bay near Ashland, distance from large population centers, Tern Island is a former wooden pier remnant the National Lakeshore draws visitors QP Quarry Point to Bark Point Wisconsin Point is the eastern portion that was re-built as a Common Tern colony site from throughout the country. Size...... Small of a long coastal barrier spit separating the in 1986. It contains the most important and Protection Initiated...... Limited waters of Lake Superior from Allouez Bay. oldest colony of this state-Endangered species in western Lake Superior. First discovered in Protection Remaining...... Moderate Major site features include several miles of 1974, this site has been managed exclusively BY Big Bay Conservation Significance...... 0 0 open sand beach and dunes, small interdunal 0 0 wetlands, and a xeric forest of white and red for Common Terns with over 1,000 tern young Size ...... Small Recreation Potential ...... banded at the island since 1981. Due to the long- Protection Initiated...... Substantial pines. Although partially developed, the point Running about 15 miles between these two term stability of the colony, birds produced at Protection Remaining...... Limited and adjacent Allouez Bay receive heavy visi- points is one of Wisconsin’s most rugged sections Tern Island have helped pioneer a new colony Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 tation by migrating birds in the spring. at Interstate Island in the St. Louis River of Lake Superior coast. West of Herbster are high Recreation Potential ...... 0 estuary. Interstate Island now contains the clay bluffs that are actively “slumping” into the largest Common Tern colony (>200 nesting This large embayment on the eastern coast lake and limit development potential. Many steep pairs) in the state. The long-term protection of Madeline Island contains a coastal barrier ravines cut back up these bluffs. East of Herbster, of these small islands is critical to the popu- spit, beach and dunes, xeric pine forest, lagoon, the shore flattens as it approaches Bark Bay lation viability of Common Terns in Wisconsin. but remains relatively undeveloped.
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 65