Western Coulee and Ridges ecological landscape
Attributes and Characteristics Legacy Places This ecological landscape is characterized by Bad Axe River highly eroded, unglaciated topography. Steep-sided BX SW Snow Bottom- valleys are heavily forested and often managed BA Badger Army Blue River Valley for hardwood production. Agricultural activities, Ammunition Plant SP Spring Green Prairie primarily dairy and beef farming, are typically Badlands Thompson Valley confined to valley floors and ridge tops. Large, BN TV meandering rivers with broad floodplains are also BH Baraboo Hills Savanna characteristic of this landscape. They include the BO Baraboo River TR Trempealeau River Mississippi, Wisconsin, Chippewa, Black, La Crosse, Trimbelle River and Kickapoo. The floodplain forests associated with BE Black Earth Creek TB these riverine systems are among the largest in the BR Black River UD Upper Red Upper Midwest. Spring fed, coldwater streams that BU Buffalo River Cedar River support robust brown and brook trout fisheries are common throughout the area. Soils are typically silt CO Coulee Coldwater Along the Mississippi loams (loess) and sandy loams in the uplands and Riparian Resources
Western Coulee & Ridges & Coulee Western alluvial or terrace deposits in the valley floors. CE Coulee Experimental Forest River corridor BT Battle Bluff Prairie FM Fort McCoy CV Cassville to GR Grant and Rattlesnake Rivers BARRON POLK Bagley Bluffs LANGLADE TAYLOR GC Greensand Cuesta UD OCONTO CY Cochrane City Bluffs eyer CHIPPEWA M ST CROIX MENOMINEE Hay River HR HR CZ Copper Creek to DUNN MARATHON Thomas PIERCE Eau Claire KR Kickapoo River CLARK SHAWANO Lynxville Hollows LC EAU CLAIRE Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata) and Prickly Pear Cactus TB RR LX La Crosse River (Opuntia macrorhoriza) at Spring Green Prairie Minnesota NP North Prairie WAUPACA BU WOOD OUTAGAMIE LE Little and Big Green Rivers du Chien Savanna UM TR PORTAGE JACKSON BROWN CY TV LC Lower Chippewa River RU Rush Creek JUNEAU BR FM WAUSHARA CALUMET and Prairies TD Trempealeau TD ADAMS LX WINNEBAGO MONROE MARQUETTE LW Lower Wisconsin River River Delta GREEN CE GC LAKE UM FOND DU LAC ML Mill Creek UM Upper Mississippi CO VERNON SAUK BN BX BH PN Pine River River National Wildlife BT KR PN BO COLUMBIA DODGE WASHINGTON and Fish Refuge RU BA Platte River CZ PL CRAWFORD LW SP BE DANE WY Wyalusing State Park Madison RR Rush River NP JEFFERSON WAUKESHA Iowa LE SW ML WY IOWA SL SL Shoveler Lakes- CV LAFAYETTE Black Earth Trench ROCK GR GREEN WALWORTH PL
142 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Key characteristics: Population: Natural communities: » Rugged landscape with » 533,000 (See Appendix B for descriptions) little glacial influence (10.0% of Wisconsin’s » Algific talus slope » Expansive tracts of oak forest population) » Bedrock glade » Large, undeveloped river » Notable species: Cedar glade systems with extensive stands » Dry and moist cliffs of floodplain forest » Cerulean warbler » Dry-mesic prairie » Numerous coldwater streams » Turkey » Dry prairie and springs » Bald eagle » Emergent aquatic » Hillside prairies » Timber rattlesnake » Floodplain forest » Oak savanna » Blue racer » Hemlock relict » Pine and hemlock relicts » Wood turtle » Oak barrens » Mississippi River valley » Pickerel frog » Oak opening and blufflands » Brook and brown trout » Oak woodland » Caves » Channel catfish » Pine relict » Gizzard shad Size: » Sand prairie » Paddlefish » 9,640 square miles » Shrub carr » Rare land snails » 6,168,000 acres » Southern dry forest » Northern monkshood (17.2% of Wisconsin) » Southern-dry mesic forest » Shadowy goldenrod » Southern mesic forest » White and red oaks » Submergent aquatic Western Coulee & Ridges & Coulee Western eyer M Thomas
Goat prairies overlooking the Mississipi River at Rush Creek State Natural Area
Figure 91: Land cover of the Western Coulee and Ridges Figure 92: Public conservation and other land ownership Figure 93: Land cover of public conservation lands in the Western Coulee and Ridges in the Western Coulee and Ridges
Open Water Urban Urban Open Wetland 2% State 1% County Forest 0% Agriculture 3% 3% Federal 0% 1% 7% Forested Grassland Wetland Open Wetland 7% 2% 22% Agriculture Shrubland 36% 0%
Forest 42%
Other 96% (private land, roads, Forested schools, cemetaries, Wetland Forest 40% military lands, etc.) 24% Grassland Shrubland 14% 0%
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 143 Western Coulee & Ridges 144 Figure 94a: 94a: Figure
Cumberland Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Legacy Places and public conservation lands of the Western Coulee and Ridges and Coulee Western the of lands conservation public and Places Legacy
Legacy Places and publicRice conservation lands 8 Lake Ladysmith St. Croix Falls Western Coulee & Ridges 8 Barron 40
63 Chetek Amery 1 65 35
25 35
Public Conservation Lands 46 State 46 64 New Cornell Federal 64 Richmond 39 UD Bloomer Glenwood County Forest 178 City 27 HR 53
Miles 79 170 12 40 124 0 2.5 5 10 Hudson Stanley 94 22 18 29 35 40 River Falls 128 29 Chippewa 32 Falls 29 Menomonie Eau Claire
Prescott 65 72 River a Chippew 12
M 2 is si ss 17 1 ip p LC 85 i R iv 63 36 er 10 37 Augusta TB RR
35 Durand 42 5 45 11 Mondovi 10 Osseo
51 11 BU 12 21 1 121 10 12 93 Minnesota 37 94 38 UM 53
Whitehall Alma 88 TR 95 50
Black River Blair Arcadia 28 Falls 7 CY Buffalo TV 95
55 54 30 49 River ck 48 la Fountain B City (continued) Galesville 4 35 TD BR 20 37 71
41 54 108 52 162 27 53 Sparta Legacy Places 1 BX Bad Axe River 16 LX 90 BR Black River Onalaska 14 BU Buffalo River CE CO Coulee Coldwater La Crosse Riparian Resources CE Coulee Experimental Forest 33 HR Hay River LX La Crosse River 13 LC Lower Chippewa River and Prairies 14 CO RR Rush River 162 Westby TV Thompson Valley Savanna 35 TR Trempealeau River TB Trimbelle River UD Upper Red Cedar River 56 Viroqua BX
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin Along the Mississippi River corridor 26 CY Cochrane City Bluffs RU Rush Creek 2 TD Trempealeau River Delta RU UM Upper Mississippi Iowa 26 River National Wildlife 44 and Fish Refuge UM
23 Wisconsin L Wisconsin Figure 95a: 95a: Figure
Cumberland a Legacy Places and land cover of the Western Coulee and Ridges and Coulee Western the of cover land and Places Legacy n d L d Legacy Places andRice land cover ST. CROIX
e Lake g a WATERSHED Ladysmith c y Re y St. Croix Falls Western Coulee & Ridges 8 p 40 o Barron r UPPER CHIPPEWA t WATERSHED 63 Chetek Amery 65 35 25
46
64 Cornell New 64 Richmond UD Bloomer Glenwood 27 City 178 HR 40 170 53 12 79 124 Hudson Stanley 94
35 40 128 River Falls 29 Chippewa Falls 29 Menomonie Eau Claire LOWER CHIPPEWA
Prescott 65 72 WATERSHED 12
LC 85 63 10 37 Augusta TB RR
35 Durand
Mondovi 10 Osseo 93
BU BUFFALO-TREMPEALEAU 12 121 WATERSHED
37 94 UM 53 Minnesota Whitehall Alma 88 TR 95
Black River Blair Arcadia Falls CY Buffalo 95 TV
54 BLACK RIVER Fountain WATERSHED (continued) City Galesville 71 35 TD BR
108 162 27 53 Sparta
90 16 LX
Onalaska CE La Crosse Land Cover 33 Urban
Agriculture 14 CO
Lega 162 Grassland Westby c y Pl y BAD AXE-LA CROSSE Shrubland 35
a WATERSHED ces ces
Forest 56 b Viroqua y Ecological Landscape Landscape Ecological y BX Open Water
Open Wetland
Forested Wetland Iowa RU
Miles 0 2.5 5 10 UM 145
Western Coulee & Ridges Western Coulee & Ridges 146 Figure 94b: 94b: Figure
Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Greenwood 27 Mosinee
2 Ridges and Coulee Western the of lands conservation public and Places Legacy 1 Legacy Places andLoyal public conservation lands
Augusta Western Coulee & Ridges Marshfield
10 11 10 Osseo Legacy Places Neillsville BX Bad Axe River 11 BA Badger Army 186 AmmunitionStevens Plant 21 Point 73 BN Badlands
BH Baraboo Hills 121 Pittsville 38 BO Baraboo River BE Black Earth Creek 12 Wisconsin BR Black River 50 Rapids 54 CO Coulee Coldwater 53 Riparian Resources Black River Nekoosa CE Coulee Experimental Forest Blair 3 28 Falls FM Fort McCoy 7 GR Grant and Rattlesnake Rivers GC Greensand Cuesta KR Kickapoo River 94 54 27 173 LX La Crosse River
(continued) 48 LE Little and Big Green Rivers River 5 LW Lower Wisconsin River
k c 4 ML Mill Creek la 80 37 B BR 20 PN Pine River PL Platte River FM 21 SL Shoveler Lakes- 108 Black Earth Trench 162 27 Tomah SW Snow Bottom 53 Sparta Adams –Blue River Valley 4 31 SP Spring Green Prairie Onalaska LX 90 58 Along the Mississippi 26 New Lisbon River corridor 14 BT Battle Bluff Prairie CE 71 CV Cassville to Bagley Bluffs La Crosse 12 Mauston CZ Copper Creek to Lynxville Hollows 82 Montello GC North Prairie 94 NP Elroy du Chien Savanna 13 90 UM Upper Mississippi CO 56 River National Wildlife 162 Hillsboro and Fish Refuge Westby WY Wyalusing State Park 24 Ba rab BN oo Wisconsin Dells R 35 i 15 v e 82 r Viroqua 33 Portage
BX 23 56 80 Reedsburg r 33 e v 26 i R Baraboo 16 kapoo BO 136 82 ic BT K 58 22 154 16 2 BH 40 RU KR PN 26 57 44 78 Richland 33 BA Center 60 UM 171 3 Lodi CZ 23 14 113 131 61 25 27 SP 29 60 29 LW 19 133 onsin isc River W 14 35 12 23 Boscobel BE 23 6 Middleton NP SW 130 80 ML 78 Madison 1 LE 47 29 53 SL Prairie 9 8 19 du Chien 43 Verona 58 18 18 Fitchburg 18 WY Fennimore Dodgeville
191
14 Mineral 39 Lancaster 35 Point 69 92 CV 61 151 81 Public Conservation Lands
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin Platteville 34 State GR Darlington Federal Missi ssippi 81 River PL 80 23 County Forest Brodhead Cuba Monroe City Miles Iowa Shullsburg 11 0 2.5 5 10 78 Wisconsin L Wisconsin Figure 95b: 95b: Figure
27 Greenwood Mosinee a Legacy Places and land cover of the Western Coulee and Ridges and Coulee Western the of cover land and Places Legacy n d L d Legacy PlacesLoyal and land cover e g a c Augusta y Re y Western Coulee & Ridges Marshfield 39 p o
r 10 t 10 Osseo Land Cover Neillsville 186 UrbanStevens Point 73 BLACK RIVER Agriculture 121 WATERSHED Pittsville Grassland 12 Wisconsin BUFFALO-TREMPEALEAU Rapids Shrubland WATERSHED 54 53 Forest Black River Nekoosa Blair Falls 94 Open Water
Open Wetland UPPER WISCONSIN 54 27 SOUTH 173 Forested Wetland (continued) WATERSHED
Miles 80 0 2.5 5 10 BR
FM 21 108 162 Tomah 53 Sparta Adams 58 39 LX 90 Onalaska New Lisbon UPPER FOX WATERSHED CE 71 La Crosse 12 Mauston 82 Montello GC 94 Elroy 90
CO 162 Hillsboro Westby BAD AXE-LA CROSSE BN Wisconsin Dells 35 WATERSHED 82 Viroqua 33 Portage
BX LOWER WISCONSIN 23 56 80 Reedsburg WATERSHED 33 BO Baraboo 16 82 136 BT 58 22 154 BH RU KR PN 78 Richland BA 60 UM 171 Center Lodi CZ 94 14 113 131 61 90
27 39 60 LW SP LOWER ROCK 19 133 WATERSHED 14 35 12 Boscobel BE 23 Middleton NP SW 130 ML 78 Madison LE 80 SL Prairie Verona du Chien 18 18 18 Fitchburg WY Fennimore Dodgeville
GRANT-PLATTE 191 WATERSHED
Lega 14 Mineral 39 35 c Lancaster Point y Pl y 69 92 a ces ces CV 61 151 81 b SUGAR-PECATONICA y Ecological Landscape Landscape Ecological y Platteville WATERSHED
GR Darlington PL 81 80 23 Cuba Brodhead City Monroe Iowa 11 Shullsburg 78 147
Western Coulee & Ridges Western Coulee & Ridges 148
Property Map# Public Conservation Lands State
s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s 40 24 22 34 28 26 23 25 30 27 29 36 42 38 39 37 32 43 33 20 35 21 12 41 13 31 19 15 10 18 16 14 17 11
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Buffalo River State Fishery Area Fishery State River Buffalo Pierce County Islands State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Islands County Pierce Lower Wisconsin State Riverway State Wisconsin Lower Otter Creek State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Creek Otter Nelson Dewey State Park State Dewey Nelson La Crosse River State Fishery Area Fishery State River Crosse La New Auburn State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Auburn New Natural Bridge State Park State Bridge Natural Knapp Creek State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Creek Knapp Devils Lake State Park State Lake Devils Coulee Experimental Forest Experimental Coulee Ridgeway Pine Relict State Natural Area Area Natural State Relict Pine Ridgeway Governor Dodge State Park State Dodge Governor Half Moon Lake State Fishery Area Fishery State Lake Moon Half North Branch Trempealeau River State Fishery Area Fishery State River Trempealeau Branch North Area Fishery State Area Comprehensive La Crosse Area Wildlife State Kickapoo (Stockwell Halls Nine Mile Island State Natural Area Natural State Island Mile Nine Dunnville State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Dunnville Coon Creek State Fishery Area Fishery State Creek Coon Mill Bluff State Park State Bluff Mill Elk Creek State Fishery Area Fishery State Creek Elk Area Wildlife State Creek Dell Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area Recreation State Hills Hoffman Merrick State Park State Merrick North Bend Bottoms State Wildlife Area Area Wildlife State Bottoms Bend North Kickapoo Valley Reserve Valley Kickapoo Chimney Rock State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Rock Chimney Muddy Creek State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Creek Muddy Area Wildlife State Coulee Lakes Borst Valley State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Valley Borst Perrot State Park State Perrot Blue Mound State Park State Mound Blue Area Recreation State Lake Blackhawk Forest State River Black Area Fishery State Creek Earth Black Area Wildlife State Swamp Big Area Fishery State Creek Big Area Fishery State Creek Bear Area Natural State Bluff Battle Area Wildlife State Augusta Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area Natural State Glen Parfrey’s
ae ie(acres) Size Name
) Creek State Fishery Area Fishery State Creek )
2
2
2 2
2
2
2
2
44,260
2,940 6,960 8,500 1,440 2,050 8,700 3,620 1,230 1,590 5,070 1,430 1,620 1,790 1,700 1,520 1,750 1,370 3,210 1,070 1,070 1,160
540 460 500 580 300 850 250 750 750 240 140 190 190 270 755 470 370 120 120 710 610 1
4 3 2 1 TOTAL Forest County Federal State Property Map#
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 s s s 44 46 54 48 50 56 49 58 57 47 45 52 53 55 51
5 4 3 2 1 1
Miscellaneous Lands Miscellaneous Tiffany State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Tiffany Trout Creek Fishery State Area State Fishery Creek Trout Wildcat Mountain State Park State Mountain Wildcat Snow Bottom State Natural Area Natural State Bottom Snow Tamarack Creek State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Creek Tamarack Sand Creek State Fishery Area Fishery State Creek Sand Rush River Delta State Natural Area Natural State Delta River Rush Waterfowl Production Areas Production Waterfowl Trempealeau Lakes State Fishery Area Fishery State Lakes Trempealeau Willow Creek State Fishery Area Fishery State Creek Willow Wildlife and Fish Refuge Fish and Wildlife Van Loon State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Loon Van Rush Creek State Natural Area Natural State Creek Rush Tank Creek State Fishery Area Fishery State Creek Tank Wyalusing State Park State Wyalusing Area Wildlife State Dam Whitman Monroe County Forest County Monroe Forest County Juneau Forest County Jackson Forest County Claire Eau Forest County Barron River Mississippi Upper South Beaver Creek State Wildlife Area Wildlife State Creek Beaver South
this 4
Ecological Landscape. Ecological
ae ie(acres) Size Name
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
-
Iowa County Iowa
252,315 28,890 12,940 71,810 10,510 3,800 3,200 3,580 2,620 1,850 2,070 1,120 500 880 560 980 200 260 160 180 320 325 475 370 1
tunities for anumber of communities, natural landscape offers also This conservation oppor- brook trout aconservation streams remains goal. and protection of the area’s native remaining tions have been improved but identification many in-stream habitatIn instances, condi- streams capable of supporting trout fisheries. spring seeps that coalesce intocold headwater of the part this state numerousin to give rise among the most pressing conservation needs. practicesharvest on forest regeneration are the impact of fluctuating water levelsand timber for resident birds. andDetermining migratory they support and the habitat value they provide the assemblage rich of reptiles and amphibians they take on added conservation value due to their river sizealone While birch. significant, is maple, cottonwood, ash, hackberry and green forests by abundance an characterized is of silver and Mississippi Rivers. vegetation The of these including the Chippewa, Black, Wisconsin, found size,are in along river large systems, tracts of floodplain forest, thousands of acres contribute region of this the to state. Extensive species, and the overall biological diversity they rarity, unique assemblage of “northern” plant of conservationare interest due their to relative and Blue. Pine Kickapoo, They systems—the scape, association in typically river with three and hemlock found relicts are land- this within Wisconsin’s examples best remaining of pine of sugar maple primarily ing and basswood. component, and southern mesic forest consist- dry-mesic forest with asaprincipal red oak dominated by white and black southern oak, forest most types, notably southern forest dry pursue landscape scalemanagement for several openings, aglobally community. natural rare opportunities restore and to expand remnant oak addition,In many of these sites provide excellent ous species plants, ofand reptiles. rare insects of which hillside prairies, often support numer- the harbor the area world’s largest concentration features.thatnatural typify rugged The hills protect some of Wisconsin’s most significant landscape providesThis opportunities to Opportunities and Needs Conservation The dendriticThe patterns found drainage landscape offers also This opportunities to
in erosionin problems and runoff achallenge. remains that dotrails not damage vegetation and do not result and soils steep grades,thin locating and maintaining and camping opportunities here. However, due the to road horseback biking, skiing, cross-country riding, there considerable is demand for off more hiking, landscape. With its rugged and scenic topography, amount publicthe of minimal “dry” this land in uplandin recreation given activities limited, are by anglers. Opportunities for the public engage to troutquality fisheriesand receive substantial use streams found throughout the region support high Rivers popular canoeing destinations. are Coldwater Black Crosse, La and Wisconsin, Kickapoo The including hunting, trapping,and boating. fishing heavilyare used for avariety of recreational activities MississippiThe River and its associated backwaters Opportunities and Uses Recreation and moist glades, cliffs cliffs. cedar prairies, dry talus sandamongslopes, dry these algific are no lessare Included biologically significant. widely scattered those than previously described, that, while smaller geographic in extent and more Avoca Prairie State Natural Area in Iowa County Iowa in Area Natural State Prairie Avoca Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin
Thomas Meyer Western Coulee and Ridges BAAP provides a rare continuum of grassland to oak forest. The Army is disposing of the property ecological landscape BX Bad Axe River Size ...... Medium and negotiations are underway to determine future Protection Initiated...... Limited uses, which will likely include a mix of agriculture, Protection Remaining...... Substantial recreation, and native habitat restoration. Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 BN Badlands Legacy Places Although the Bad Axe watershed is relatively Size ...... Small small, it contains a number of valuable resources. Protection Initiated...... Limited Queen The upper tributaries of the two main forks harbor t Protection Remaining...... Moderate ober good trout populations, with a significant amount R Conservation Significance...... 0 0 of the hillsides wooded with oak and other hard- Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 Devil’s Lake State Park woods. Downstream from the confluence of the north and south forks, the water temperature This large, roadless, hilly area harbors a mature natural areas scattered throughout the Hills. gradually rises to the point where the lower stand of unfragmented hardwoods. It is one of the A few hundred acres along the Baraboo River reach of the river supports a warmwater fishery. most extensive areas of contiguous oak forest in the have also been protected as federal waterfowl The floodplain also widens in the lower reaches region. The headwaters of Dell Creek and Hulbert production areas. A unique opportunity exists and harbors numerous oxbow ponds and asso- Creek drain portions the area. The DNR recently to expand the amount of protected land from the ciated wetland communities that provide high completed a study assessing the feasibility of Hills down to the Wisconsin River, via the former quality wildlife habitat for waterfowl, cranes, establishing an expansion of the Dell Creek State Badger Army Ammunition Plant. The Army is songbirds and a variety of reptiles, amphibians Wildlife Area into this area. The study concluded disposing of the property and negotiations are and mammals. Almost 20% of the wetlands that potential DNR acquisition of land in the area underway to determine future uses. Expanding found in Vernon County are located within was not supported locally and that other protection and linking existing protected areas would greatly the Bad Axe River system. options were more appropriate. enhance both the recreational and ecological Some stream corridors are under state owner- value of this exceptional landscape. Coordinating ship, but these are scattered and provide only management among public and private organi-
Baraboo Hills Ridges & Coulee Western limited recreation opportunities. Expanding BH Size ...... Large zations, and collaborating with private land- protection efforts could create corridors to link Protection Initiated...... Substantial owners, would be crucial to this effort. existing scattered public lands, allow for more Protection Remaining...... Substantial extensive coldwater and warmwater habitat Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 improvements and provide a wider diversity Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 BO Baraboo River of upland recreation activities. Size ...... Large The Baraboo Hills support one of the largest Protection Initiated...... Moderate contiguous upland hardwood forests in the Protection Remaining...... Moderate Midwest and harbor an incredible diversity BA Badger Army Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 of species, including more than 1,800 plant Ammunition Plant Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 and animal species. Of particular note are the Size ...... Medium many rare birds that nest here, including both Scenic sandstone cliffs occur along the upper Protection Initiated...... Substantial northern and southern species. The Hills are reaches of the Baraboo River and support hemlock Protection Remaining...... Limited all that remain of a very old quartzite moun- and pine relicts, forested seeps, and many rare Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 tain range that is now characterized by steep plants and animals. These stands of hemlock and Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 slopes and shallow, stony soils. Scenic vistas, pine are found in deep, moist ravines or on cool, The Badger Army Ammunition Plant (BAAP) waterfalls, interesting rock formations, deep north- or east-facing slopes. Groundlayer vegetation eyer M lies between the Baraboo Hills and the Wisconsin forests and wildlife are all part of the attrac- contains species typically found much further River. Although used to produce munitions for tions of the Baraboo Hills. The Ice Age National north, such as clubmoss, woodfern, and mayflower. Thomas the Army for over thirty years, BAAP’s 7,300 Scenic Trail also winds its way through this Some headwater creeks contain trout. Parfrey’s Glen in the Baraboo Hills acres contain a mix of native prairie, scattered area. Recreational use of the area is heavy, Until recently, the lower stretch of the river had oak woodlands, farm fields, and thousands of especially at Devil’s Lake State Park. been impacted by a series of dams that warmed and idle buildings. It currently hosts some of the A great deal of land in the Hills has already slowed the flow. The last of the dams was removed largest populations of grassland birds in southern been protected by The Nature Conservancy, in 2001 and the aquatic diversity of the river Wisconsin (103 bird species have been recorded whose efforts have been concentrated on the system is already beginning to recover, setting here, of which 21 have critical status in Wisconsin). Otter Creek watershed, and the DNR, which the stage for the restoration of a good warmwater With the Baraboo Hills adjacent to the north, manages the state park and thirteen state fishery including smallmouth bass
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 149 Western Coulee & Ridges
Thomas Meyer 150 ecological landscape Western Coulee and Ridges Typical winter scene in Coulee Country Coulee in scene winter Typical
Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy
the presence of pronounced, intact, wet-to-dry the presence of wet-to-dry pronounced, intact, and landscapes, four with association ecological due its high is north-southcorridor to orientation, Mississippi River. diversity Biological along the itswith confluencethe to 100 miles more than of central Taylor Countyand meanders south for the northern forests in Black RiverThe originates Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size BR demands for outdoorgrowing recreation. meet to place could this critical be area, politan people the nearbymetro- in Madison over 400,000 the easements, valley,access within exist with Although some public properties, notably fishing among otherriding, outdoor recreation activities. and horseback skiing, shoeing, cross-country snow-hiking, road foroff tunities biking, fishing, recreation oppor- could provide verysignificant addition values, theIn its valley ecological to several locations thein valley. in found be Mounds and petroglyphscan Indian trout reproduction. natural and quantity and limit of theurbanization watershed water quality affect and increasing Midwest. Intensive agriculture productive and heavily fishedtrout thein waters underway. one is Creek of the most Black Earth restoration already woodland projects are oak and opening oak prairie, Some large hillsides. wooded with ridgetopsof and bottomlands farmed primarily and consisting valleys, ridges dissected and deeply hills of rolling amix is area The of the state. and the parts glaciated unglaciated of portion the scenic a very border between the valley encompasses Creek Black Earth The Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size BE ofeast the Mississippi River. Riverrivers one is of the longest free-flowing River, withconfluencethe Wisconsin the Baraboo Vernon in waters its Hillsboro to County near its head- from miles and walleye. 120 almost At . . Black River Black Earth Creek ...... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Substantial 0 0 0 0 Moderate 0 0 0 Limited Large Large
serves as an important staging area for migrating for migrating area staging important an as serves the Mississippi in ofspecies birds River Valley and valuable habitat andfor migratory nesting many lowerThe end River provides of the Buffalo forest savanna. oak blocks large wetlands to to broad from habitats quality ofranging high ture the Mississippito River, adiverse mix- contains Jackson from County corridor, running This Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size BU of the state. the experiences westernpart in outdoor opportunities for quality recreational high It would provide additional also wildlife. persing the value and of dis- the for corridor migrating habitats, thus maintaining wildlife of important addition, In itRefuge. would protection facilitate Mississippi River and Wildlife National Fish and the Upper Areas, and Van State Wildlife Loon Bend Bottoms North Area, State Fishery Creek son Forests, County Black River State Forest, Big Chequamegon National Forest, and Jack- Clark public many it existing lands: would link First, the Black River would several serve purposes. Establishment along corridor of aprotected opportunities. fishing sport and high quality fishery offers riverThe supports adiverse warmwater numerous marshes. oxbow and shallow lakes, southern quality forest, floodplain of high Black tracts Riverand supports Falls large fisher.from widensThe floodplain downstream for corridor south bear, wolves dispersal and and waterfowl, north- important an as and serves habitatand for migratory of songbirds avariety river provides The corridor nesting important extensive, and relatively undeveloped uplands. the adjacent, to extremely due, part, high in habitat valueWildlife along the is corridor opportunities. canoeing It presently offers “wilderness-like” Riverfor status. nationaland Scenic Wild of thestretch Black River was once considered the lower qualities, scenic and outstanding of the river. its relatively Due to undeveloped environmental gradients along the length . Buffalo River . . . .
Substantial 0 0 0
Limited
Large
0 0
Riparian Resources the numerous River. that creeks feed the Kickapoo upperCreek, reaches River, of the Bad Axe and Coon Coulee, include Rullands Coulee, Timber the Midwest. Some of the streams most popular troutThese waters draw throughout anglers from uplandimportant buffers. shorelands, and adjacent riparian ecologically coldwatertargeted their headwater streams, areas, additional and protection restoration to efforts build upon to by past successes exists directing potential trout fisheries.Significant associated coldwater quality of high miles and their streams Counties over many decades have many in resulted Vernon Crosse, La and Crawford Monroe, in efforts and protection restoration Substantial the streams. coverthe hold tree to sediment the flushed soil, into when early settlers the cleared forests. Without many were of these streams seriously degraded valleys, and narrow of hillsides steep a landscape within Set trout streams. quality high resulting renownedis for its and the abundance of springs of southwestern Region Coulee The Wisconsin Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Protection Initiated Protection Size CO of the region state. this in veryrare are lakes habitat. occurring Naturally wildlife fluctuating water levelsthat provide excellent just County of north the river,Buffalo experiences Naples northeastern aseepage in lake Lake, recreation values. wouldarea help its conservation protect and of the aviable as part and forestry agriculture Maintaining ecotypes. woodland oak to prairie dry excellent acontinuum restore to opportunity from and west slopes facing and the valley offers an on south occur openings and oak prairies quality the upper watershed.characterize high Many and broad ridges valleys Narrow, sharp-crested the contrast stark adjacent to in lies bluffs. steep floodplain flat, The meandering swans. tundra . Coulee Coldwater . . . Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin .
Substantial 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Moderate Large
Wisconsin L Wisconsin ecological landscape Western Coulee and Ridges a n d L d e g a c y Re y p o Endangered Karner blue Karner Endangered butterfly. communities, the including federally-and insect of mosaic habitatsThe supports reptile rich also populationsdiverse, important birds. of grassland support exercises, for training primarily tained ofpockets maple red swamp. main- Grasslands, meadow, sedge prairie, and scattered carr shrub sand barrens, pine-oak savanna, oak woodland, Vegetation the Fort of consists oak within areas. designated in allowed are permit) hunting (by and fishing the activities such Fort. Recreation as within the headwaters River, ofCrosse found the La are here. Numerous coldwater which form streams, bounded wooded are byhills rugged, installation the of central portion the that characterize plains County. central Monroe north smooth, rolling The tion encompasses in acres approximately 60,000 and support installa- training Army U.S. This Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size FM Crosse. La to close proximity opportunities in could enablearea awider of recreation variety property. forested the of protection this Expanding communitiesstatus on of the plant and animal availablepractices evaluate are to the current on and past management use land Records management land to on private and public lands. of wood production approach ecosystem and an study to a unique opportunity the combination on topography. steep prairies “goat” It provides open fields,rock outcroppingsand a few small ridgetop plantings, forests,tree experimental oak of acres upland approximately contains 3,000 Forest Experimental DNR’s Coulee The Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size CE r t
. . McCoy Fort Coulee Experimental Forest ...... 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Substantial
Limited Limited Large Small 0 0 0 0
0
Rattlesnake Rivers exist. This area represents excellent area an opportunity This exist. the Hay, to tributary barrens several remnantoak watershed, Creek of quality the ahigh Otter of nativestands white the pine. upper In reaches mapleoak, some with and basswood, remnant and foreststhese watersof of consists farmland water Upland resources. vegetation adjacent to river habitatlarge and numerous smaller cold- HayThe River both system free-flowing harbors Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size HR some plants.harbor rare extension of an the cuestastate, and are also inter- the seen be from I-90/94 which can east, buttesthe The to reside theand birds area. in populations plants overrare of time. Significant edge whereits eastern the eroded sandstone has along dissected patches, highly is prairie small containing and also forested pines with and oaks Greensand Cuesta, escarpment. The exposed the sloping are Cuestas backside an to Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size GC largely is agricultural. area surrounding The steep, woodedthrough valleys several with cliffs. have fish riversThebeenrecorded wind here. several rare run-off, by agricultural degrees varying to system been affected has this in the headwater Although water streams. quality tivewithtrout fisheries presentseveralin of two riversThese support diverse and produc- Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size GR . . . Hay River Greensand Cuesta Grant and ......
. . . Substantial 0 0 0 0
Moderate Moderate Moderate Medium Medium Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited Limited
anglers from throughoutanglers from the Midwest. of the state’s best trout waters and draws WestThe Fork supports some of the Kickapoo waters that provide opportunities. abundant fishing productive, highly cold, are spring-fedstreams The headwater River floodplain. the Kickapoo in meadow, and lowland marsh, forest hardwood occur old river oxbowsprimarily and meanders. Wet warmwater wetlands, river many with associated a low is gradient,of meandering, the Kickapoo stem of four counties. main The parts drains and Area the Driftless in that originates Wauzeka. waterbody the is largest Kickapoo The River itswith confluence the Wisconsin near County, and flowssouth to for miles about60 Monroe in River originates Kickapoo The Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size KR and Chippewa metropolitan areas. Falls Cities, Eau Claire, the Twin to proximity but due changes use its land experiencing close is to now, rural mainly is verypopular.be area The that would notablyactivities, likely of trails, amix and could provide anumber of other outdoor and coldwater watching, wildlife fishing, hunting, HayThe River system offers excellent warmwater and backwater oxbows. open wetland complexes, forest floodplain along the river quality consist ofareas high habitat Lowland veryrare type. this restore to that thrived during the Ice Age but is now exceedingly rare exceedingly now is but Age Ice the during thrived that ( Veritgo Pleistocene Midwest The . Kickapoo River . . . Vertigo hubrichti Vertigo . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Substantial ), a tiny snail snail tiny a ),
Large
Thomas Meyer network trails. of short and long distance thus aunique creating potentially Trails, Omaha and Elroy-Sparta 400, the nearby Hillsboro, public properties link with to exist Opportunities afoundation as serve efforts. protection for future of recreationwide activities and variety could Valleynew offer currently a Kickapoo Reserve states. State Wildcat Park Mountain and the and surrounding throughoutfrom Wisconsin and draw visitors popular and sightseeing are camping, horseback fishing, hunting, riding, snowmobiling, skiing, cross-country biking, birdwatching, hiking, opportunities. Canoeing, andsites, provides of recreation awide variety andhistorical cultural archaeological, significant many very harbors scenic, extraordinarily also is addition value,In the its valley ecological to forest River. lands) the with Wisconsin Black River State Forest, and many county McCoy, (Ft. the Plains Sand Central in lands block the of large connect public ecologically to River provides opportunity corridor an Kickapoo addition, In the and several of species snails. land such species northern monkshood as globally rare including for numerous plants and animals, rare which provide habitat sandstone cliffs, through ofStretches the upper pass river and its tributaries birds. of many forest-interior especially species, valley’sThe forests populations support breeding communities theof natural state. in oneis of the most diverse assemblages outcroppings. Together, bedrock with this frequently and seeps are Springs associated along cliffs. communities, occur natural rare and mesic pine and forest.hemlock Relict forests, savanna, forest, oak oak ofconsists bluff prairie, many andwith valleys. ridges Upland vegetation the river rugged is surrounding terrain The Lapland Azalea ( Azalea Lapland Lega c Rhododendron lapponicum Rhododendron y Pl y a ces ces b y Ecological Landscape Landscape Ecological y )
151
Thomas Meyer
Western Coulee & Ridges Western Coulee & Ridges
Thomas Meyer 152 ecological landscape Western Coulee and Ridges Pasque Flower ( Flower Pasque
Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Anemone patens Anemone )
downstream from Menomonie, from downstream one contains of the River, Cedar and along the Red Eaufrom Claire, along the Chippewa area The River, downstream Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size LC would beneficial. be problems the run-off rivers in minimize to efforts Additional formallyprotected. is verylittle of the LittleGreen protected; Green is ments, much along the of Big the streambank ownership and ease- DNR Through the region. anglers with throughout verypopular rivers are productive troutMidwest.thein fisheriesBoth populations some they are host, of the most due rivers, theThese abundant to invertebrate Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size LE Wyeville. Fort and on McCoy and through to to State Trails River and Elroy-Sparta Crosse La the grade could link Northwestern Railroad Forest. former The Experimental Coulee Chicago and the Area River Fishery Crosse thepark, La county asmall River Trail, Bike Crosse the La are corridor this Within production agriculture. devoted often to andbottoms ridgetops are predominantlyslopes valley wooded. The are adjacentThe upland on woods the and south north wetland areas. quality severalRiver high contains River, Crosse La the theof floodplain fertile west the McCoy Mississippi to Ft. from Running Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size LX River and Prairies . . . Lower Chippewa Little and Big Green Rivers Crosse RiverLa ......
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate
Medium Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited Large 0 0 0 0
trapping, and hiking. of recreation activities including, hunting, fishing, the Riverway within land Public supports avariety extremely destination.river an is canoeing popular the and sandbars, With islands, bluffs, its scenic along the lower River. of the miles Wisconsin 92 and sandbars islands ofacres bottomlands, bluffs, RiverwayThe encompasses 79,000 more than of the beauty valley.scenic character and natural and preserve the protect to established 1989 in State Riverway Lower Wisconsin The was throughout the floodplain. occur sand prairies large Althoughspecies. not visible the from river, many along the south-facing slopes many andrare harbor scattered maple, are prairies cedar. and red Bluff forestssides of dominated by oak, mesic are dry to valley The largely intact. remain and marshes nutrients outthe the into floodplain, lowland forests and theof flushing reduce scouring dams upstream the seen be from river. can Although and villages, ago. Very few houses and roads, only occasional resembles the seen of hundreds years landscape many ways and in character probablywild closely the Mississippi River, much retains of its natural, lower to The River, Wisconsin Sauk Prairie from Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size LW counties. and Buffalo Pepin, Eau Claire and Chippewa RiverCedar watersheds Dunn, in includes expansive area of the portions Red This was recently established.River StateArea Natural the Lower Chippewa resources, unique natural on someof these ofrecognition the In river terraces. occur sand savanna of dry Exceptional occurrences of Wisconsin’s do as 50% plant species. area, the in of Wisconsin’s occur species bird nesting Seventy-fivecomparable Wisconsin. in size percent (25% acerage) of of the any state total area than and more (125) species more native rare prairies supports the area southeast, to this hills rugged Alongwiththethein state.savanna floodplain and highest quality the largest harbors It also thein forests floodplain upperMidwest.largest . Lower Wisconsin River . . . . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Limited Large
Size Size ML major tributaries, Willow Creek, is particularly particularly is Creek, major Willow tributaries, sistentlyOne river’s theof provide fishing. good trout populations and rainbow brown, that con- County,of Richland support excellent brook, much draining andcreeks, outcrops. These cliffs bordered cold often by creeks, sandstonesmall, River’s Pine The headwatersand pasture. are combination fields, scenic farm woods, of small avery is area this landscape, Ridges ecological most with of theAs Western and Coulee Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size PN and recreation benefits. ecological substantial along the corridor could creek provideA protected of trout the designated stretch is corridor water. Ashort support plants and insects. several rare on the and near ridgetops and occur and savannas prairies and restorable quality dry high Many and woodedwetlands well lands. as pastured as at Tower State Park. It flowsseveral Hill through River the join Wisconsin to north Park and curves State Governor Dodge in originates Creek Mill Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Lower Wisconsin River sand bars sand River Wisconsin Lower . . Mill Creek Pine River ...... Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin . . Moderate Moderate Moderate Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0
Limited Small 0 0 0 0
Thomas Watkins Scott Seymour Wisconsin L Wisconsin ecological landscape Western Coulee and Ridges Catching a big one, finally one, big a Catching a n d L d e g a c y Re y p o r t
the watershed. Land use in the area is typical of typical the is watershed. the area in use Land within located also is prairies, hillside and dry a complex woods oak Area, quality Natural of high waterfowl State MorganCoulee and wadingbirds. ofmyriad wetland heavily and by species is used of the Mississippi River. delta The supports a emergentrich out wetland, spills the into floodplain delta, acombination of lowland forest hardwood and river’s throughoutanglers The from the area. trout drawsthat fishery significant a regionally County,Pierce the Rush River system supports the heavily in wooded valleys of Located Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size RR opportunities forand city canoeing residents. biking, providehiking, accessibleto easily fishing, and the River, Platte betweenBranch, Platteville along the aconnection, Roundtree create to exists the River Platte in watershed. opportunity An and the found state-Threatened are minnow Ozark quality. species, concern mud The aspecial darter, gradient, coldwaterhigh water good with streams popular. are of Many itsparticularly tributaries water fishery, being with fishing smallmouth bass warm- quality ahigh River Platte The contains Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size PL diversity. ecological maintaining in importance and of considerable globally rare are relicts lock these pine and hem- streams, Area other Driftless the upper River, and some Baraboo Kickapoo, those in with present Along the IceAge. during may vestigescooler, be from moister conditions pine many relict harbor and hemlock that stands throughout the watershed sandstone cliffs The wetland complex large very Gotham. near Itfertile. enters River at the Wisconsin the the river slower is warmer, moving, and more productive and popular. Center, Below Richland . . Rush River Platte River ...... Substantial 0 0 0 0 Moderate Medium Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Limited Limited
Blue River Valley sedge meadowssedge southwestern in (rare Wisconsin) fens and calcareous to several places rise give emergeSprings throughout the valley and in faces. some in shelters cliff and rock occur outcrops and somerock slopes. talus Caves dry-mesic to prairies, dry savannas, oak are present Also warblersand various and vireos. pileated woodpecker, scarlet tanager, wood thrush, manyowl, forest-interiorto such barred birds as forests blanket the valley sides home and are Oak-dominated species. many rare harboring feet, support communities shaded and open cliff 300 to and buttes, rising sandstone cliffs The moister conditions present the IceAge. during cooler, from believed relicts be are to the cliffs, theto sidesnorthern confined pine,of often of whitesouthwestern stands These Wisconsin. in relicts pine remaining the most significant valley hosts scenic extraordinarily this spring, snow the of bottom in the valleys well the into that keepNamed aresult of as the cliffs steep Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size SW landscape. ecological Plains Glacial Southeast the See SL provided. be opportunities could also recreational Additional efforts. protection would complement also streambank existing trout fishery. quality the high Those actions sustaining in the important be watershedin will percentage ahigh of forested cover maintaining and use land Cities. Stabilizing the Twin to mity relatively due but light, its proxi- to increasing Residential development the is corridor in diversity the veryhigh. valley in is maple sugar basswood, Songbird oak. and red with are forested Thehillsides and valley floors. ridgetopsto confined agriculture with Wisconsin, that found of western throughout thehills rugged Black Earth Trench . Snow Bottom Shoveler Lakes . . . . -
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0 0 0 0 Moderate Moderate Medium 0 0 0
on a variety of research projects. ofon research avariety sively University with scientists of Wisconsin and worked years hereefforts exten- for thirty led has and protection restoration Conservancy tiger beetle, wasps. and predatory Nature The spiders, five cicada, of eightspecies of species the black widow spider, of wolf several types are interest the site special state.known in Of their only is Green prairie the Spring insects, Green fauna. ForSpring several spiders and brates, however, the most of are unusual the of reptiles had beenhere. recorded inverte- The pocket gophers.to species fourteen count, last At cactus pear prickly from ranging and animals, hosts aremarkablyarea diverse set of plants River this of andbluffs, adjoining the Wisconsin ancient, an south-facing Occupying terrace Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Protection Initiated Protection Size SP thewater Blue in quality River system. and forests, savannas, the oak pine relicts, concentratethe on maintaining valley and will approval in expand greatly efforts protection to trout recently populations. received DNR The thatof excellent aquatic help insects maintain hatches hosts large Creek, Castle Rock tributary River. Blue The River, its major and particularly that subsequently of feed the the Blue tributaries Prescribed burning at Spring Green Prairie Green Spring at burning Prescribed . Spring Green Prairie Lega c y Pl y a ces ces . . b . y Ecological Landscape Landscape Ecological y . 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Limited Small
0
153
Thomas Meyer
Western Coulee & Ridges Western Coulee & Ridges
Thomas Meyer 154 ecological landscape Western Coulee and Ridges ( ( May-apples Phlox divaricata Phlox
Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Podophyllum peltatum Podophyllum ) at McGilvra Woods State Natural Area Natural State Woods McGilvra at ) ) and Woodland Phlox Phlox Woodland and )
hunting, fishing, and hunting,quietboating opportunities. fishing, abiologicalas system, could provide quality high the corridor entire manage the to ability increasing properties, thereby state-owned existing that links corridor Aprotection unprotected. reaches remain public in the feeder are ownership, streams key heavily of Although forested. portions valleys are and tops wide ridge Steep-sided valley floors. to generally is theconfined area in Agriculture and mammals. birds, reptiles, waterfowl, amphibians, wading habitat that lands providefor significant wet- quality extensive high nourish stretch nutrientsthein lower and frequent flooding warmwater quality a good fishery.Abundant and warmer itslarger lower and in reach supports it flowsAs southwest, riverthegradually becomes deeply locatedin trout valleys. streams incised coldwater from TrempealeauThe River arises Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size TR skiing. watching, and cross-country wildlife hunting, including activities, hiking, numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation could provide area The wooded tracts. and large presently area of of consists amosaic farms rural largely This savanna. oak alarge restore state to represents one of the best opportunities in the understory,of in species savanna area this of present, species the tree and the presence and composition the its structure size, Due to Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size TV . . Trempealeau River Thompson Valley Savanna ...... Substantial Substantial Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Limited Limited
Small
and Menomonie residents. Chippewaopportunities for Eau Falls, Claire, could provide multiple area This recreationremain. public access),needs protection but significant exist areas (and state some fishery provide small Afew redhorse. greater of the state-Threatened fishery, diversity,fishspecies high and a population excellentriver contains habitat, warmwater agood trout populations. Below the the Chetek area, havecreeks water and support high quality good of Many the headwater farmland. and fertile slowly verypicturesque Cedar through winds the Red Lake, Tainter to downstream County its headwatersFrom northern Barron in Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size UD fragmentation, of the woodlands. the integrity for due access and, anglers, to the Trimbelle, rapidly the andwater threatens of quality the watershed in use anglers. Land changing is Cities, the river heavily by is used corridor trout Minnesota’sand due to its Twin proximity to of the best troutWisconsin in fisheries western Riverwatershed. supports one Trimbelle The found are throughoutof songbirds, the lower numerous diversity ahigh including species, deciduous Rich supporting Wisconsin. woodlands of western area heavily unglaciated forested, County. the river flows As south, it entersthe open of northern Pierce landscape rolling, the in River originates Trimbelle The Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size TB . . Upper Red Cedar River Trimbelle River ...... Substantial Substantial 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Medium Medium 0 0 0 Limited Limited
0 0
A springtime delicacy, the morel mushroom ( mushroom morel the delicacy, springtime A Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin Morchella esculenta Morchella )
Thomas Meyer Western Coulee and Ridges ecological landscape Legacy Places along the Mississippi River corridor By any measure, the Mississippi River Rising dramatically from the floodplain, valley is one of the state’s most valuable the rugged 400 to 500 foot bluffs provide natural resources. From the flooded spectacular scenic views and harbor numerous bottomlands to the bluff tops, the valley rare species. Since the Wisconsin side of the is an ecological and recreational treasure. Mississippi River valley has predominantly The river, in some parts wide impound- southern or western exposures, prior to Euro- ments and in others a maze of sloughs and American settlement the extensive network backwaters, supports an enormous variety of bluffs was covered by dry hillside prairie of aquatic life. The lowlands are a mosaic (often referred to as “goat prairie”) and oak of marshes, shrub thickets, and floodplain savanna. Since that time, fire suppression has forests. The surrounding uplands grade resulted in the transformation of many prairies from mesic forests up to prairies on and savannas into forest. As a consequence,
the ridge tops. plants and animals dependent on these open Ridges & Coulee Western habitats have declined markedly. Although As the primary migratory pathway degraded, these bluffs still harbor the greatest in the central part of the country, millions concentration of dry hillside prairies remaining of birds pass through the valley each spring in North America. and fall. With most of the valley floor included in the Upper Mississippi River National An increasing level of development Wildlife and Fish Refuge, the valley draws along the bluffs is impacting scenic views boaters, anglers, hunters, bird watchers, and degrading sensitive habitats. There and sightseers from around the country. is growing recognition that a protection The several parks along the valley are strategy (that extends beyond the valley very popular camping, hiking, and wildlife floor) is needed to protect the scenic, ecological, watching destinations. Some important cultural, and economic values that this unique lowlands are outside of the Refuge and corridor provides. Several private, locally- are worthy of protection. Of particular led conservation organizations, including conservation interest are the lower reaches the Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Queen t and mouths of rivers and streams that the West Wisconsin Land Trust, are very ober R flow into the Mississippi, notably places active in the area. Although some of the Mississippi River like Coon and Waumandee Creeks and most notable bluff prairies and savannas the Rush and Black Rivers. are included in the following descriptions, countless others are scattered along the Mississippi River valley.
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 155 Western Coulee & Ridges 156 ecological landscape Western Coulee and Ridges
Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size CV the southto the across Mississippi River. views clear feet, providing somebluff 480 rises brake yew. and Canada plants such cliff as The limestone boulders anumber contain of unusual sandstonehere. outcrops wind-eroded and The have been identified area theat natural state of species native plants 80 More prairie than sandstone outcrops, and afew trees. stunted limestonewithinterspersedfloraboulders, is on slope. asteep diverseprairie prairie The asouth-facing is dry Battle Prairie Bluff Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size BT Wyalusing and Nelson Dewey state parks. connecting for trail exists acontinuous hiking the Mississippi River valley below. opportunity An views of bluffs providesites. These spectacular and several archaeological bald roosts eagle winter talus are slopes found as here, majoras well algific communities. and Several natural plants, animals, many rare harbor open areas isolation. Remaining their and increasing their size reducing further cedar, red with overgrown becoming are prairies sites.many Withdry the theseof lack of fire, on have less species savanna accessible survived but and oak many remnantprairie agriculture, Today, savanna. and oak for used are the hilltops prairie hill dry Bagley. was historically area This Wyalusing to State north Park near of Cassville includes area the southeast bluffs from This Potential Recreation . . Cassville to Bagley Bluffs Battle Bluff Prairie
...... 0 0 0 0 0 Substantial Substantial Moderate Medium Limited
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0 0
to restore some additional lands, this area some area restore additionalto this lands, and the remnants potential of the existing quality present.and endangered are species Given the threatened, Some landscape. rare, agricultural aworking within woodland and oak savanna of remnants oak quality many high contains Mississippi area River back this several miles, the from bluffs overlooking the Running Potential Recreation Initiated Protection Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Size NP River valley below. views of the Mississippiprovide spectacular bluffs The area. this in endangered exist species and threatened, rare, Several occur. remnants prairie the some tops ridge Along savanna. dry thenear of tops the they ridges, oak grade into upslope, dominate and more open woodlands oak hickory,basswood, and black walnut. Moving blocks of mesicare forest maple, comprised of oak, habitats. hollows the of bottom In these narrow prairie forest dry to quality ofa wide high range butRiver valley only harbor ashort distance, hollows that extend up the from Mississippi encompasses area of aseries small This Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size CZ encroached on by woody vegetation. thethey rapidly are absencein of fire, being the diversity of plant However, here species high. is present are species A number and prairie of rare complexes. savanna and oak prairie quality good harbor Bluffs City Cochrane The Potential Recreation Conservation Significance Remaining Protection Initiated Protection Size CY du Chien Savanna to Lynxville Hollows . . . PrairieNorth Copper Creek Cochrane Bluffs City ......
Substantial Substantial Substantial 0 0 0 0
Moderate
Medium 0 0 0 0 0 0
Limited Limited Small Small 0 0 0 0
0
Robert Queen Ice fishing on a Mississippi River slough River Mississippi a on fishing Ice Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin represents one of the state’s better opportunities to be substantial. This corridor could also provide establish a large oak savanna and oak woodland opportunities for expanded recreational use, as complex. Maintaining working farms will be an all three properties are heavily used for a variety important component of protecting functioning of recreational purposes. savannas here. UM Upper Mississippi RU Rush Creek River National Wildlife Elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata)* Higgin’s Eye (Lampsilis higginsii)* Fat Pocketbook (Potamilux capax)* Pistolgrip (Tritogonia verrucosa)** Size ...... Medium and Fish Refuge Protection Initiated...... Moderate Size ...... Large Protection Remaining...... Substantial Protection Initiated...... Substantial Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Protection Remaining...... Limited Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Atop the southwestern facing bluffs of the Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 Rush Creek State Natural Area is one of the Extending 284 miles from Wabasha, Minnesota state’s most spectacular views of the Mississippi to Rock Island, Illinois, this 194,000-acre refuge River valley. From the subtle palette of colors on encompasses most of the floodplain associated the dry hillside prairies, to the oak-hickory forests, with the Mississippi River. Numerous side Purple Wartyback (Cyclonaias tuberculata)* Fat Mucket (Lampsilis siliquoidea)* Giant Floater (Pyganodon grandis)* Fawnsfoot (Truncilla donaciformis)** to the deep greens of the floodplain forest in the channels, backwater sloughs, marshes, and valley floor, visitors can get a glimpse of what the extensive tracts of floodplain forest dominated valley must have looked like centuries ago. The by silver maple, cottonwood and green ash, prairie complex at this location is the largest and contribute to the outstanding fish and wildlife most extensive series of goat prairies left in the habitat provided by the refuge. These habitats, state. In addition, the large blocks of forested in turn, support important populations of land provide habitat for forest interior species freshwater mussels, game and non-game fish, as well as common game species such as wild reptiles, amphibians, songbirds, herons, and bald turkey and deer. Many rare species are found eagles. The refuge also plays host to significant Ridges & Coulee Western throughout the Rush Creek area. waterfowl migrations, including some of the The existing State Natural Area is extensively Butterfly (Ellipsaria lineolata)* Creek Heelsplitter (Lasmigona compressa)* Monkeyface (Quadrula metanevra)* Deertoe (Truncilla truncata)** continent’s largest concentrations of migrating used for hunting (deer, turkey, and squirrel), tundra swans and canvasback ducks. fishing, and non-intensive recreational activities Boating, fishing and waterfowl hunting are such as bird watching and hiking. Expanding popular recreation pursuits. Commercial trans- protection efforts here would not only allow for port of bulk commodities by barge and commercial a wider variety of recreation activities, but also fishing are also important activities that occur enable large-scale restoration of the oak savanna within the refuge. and oak opening natural communities.
Trempealeau River Delta WY Wyalusing State Park TD Size ...... Small Snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra)* Hickorynut (Obovaria olivaria)* Pimpleback (Quadrula pustulosa)* Paper Pondshell (Utterbackia imbecillis)* Size ...... Small Protection Initiated...... Substantial Protection Initiated...... Moderate Protection Remaining...... Limited * Illinois Natural History Survey Protection Remaining...... Substantial ** Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 Some of the mussels found in the Mississippi River Sitting at the confluence of the Wisconsin and The undeveloped uplands situated between the Mississippi Rivers, Wyalusing is one of the state’s Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge and Perrot oldest and most popular state parks. Visitors come State Park and adjacent to the Trempealeau River to camp, hike, bike, cross-country ski, fish and provide an excellent opportunity to establish a enjoy nature education programs. The area is a conservation corridor linking both properties with haven for bird watchers. The park’s 2,000 acres the Great River State Recreation Trail. Habitat contain the longest series of prehistoric mounds conservation benefits, including protection of found in Wisconsin. The dolomite and sandstone sand dunes, pothole ponds, remnant prairie and cliffs, steep ravines and bottomlands support wooded uplands on the sandy river terrace, would rich deciduous woodlands.
Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 157 Western Coulee & Ridges 158 ecological landscape Western Coulee and Ridges
Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Meadow and Savanna communities with excellent restoration potential. excellent restoration with communities natural meadow, savanna oak and wet prairie, of southern sedge amosaic contains area This ( Kelley Creek Sedge of impressive species. diversity an supports the area relativelyAlthough small, addof the the landforms. gorges diversity and to streams, Springs, southern Wisconsin. and ern of north- indicative plants both harboring diverse, layer very is ground The species. for rare many microhabitats providing vents the permeate area, Solution on it which caves cold lies. and air rock thesolubleby influenced limestone is forest This ( Joe Gray Coulee Forest the creek. meter, along dot the pastures dia- somein five up feet to Huge oaks, bur savanna. oak adeep-soil restore to the state in one is opportunities of best area This ( Honey Creek Savanna of old growth. block patches of southern mesic with forest quality, but high asmall, harbors area This ( English Run Woods springs. many and landscape, ecological representativesouthern mesic forest, of this block of mature includes asmall area This ( Eagle Forest Basswood Other Areas of Interest Crawford County Crawford Sauk County Sauk Eau Claire County Eau Claire County Richland Pepin County Pepin
) ) ) ) )
of several springs, which provides constant water constant provides which springs, of several flowflow sideways.series ina This emerges directs and prevents down seeping water from of the hills, under the crest aboutUnderlying 100-feet shale, the hillsides. from emanating by numerous springs is provided Creek flowSandy of consistent The ( Sandy Creek are present. springs significant and outcrops, rock remnants, prairie woodland, oak fields, old Farm savanna, valleys. narrow and hillsides, steep ridges, hostnarrow areas These ( Pleasant and Coon Ridges a diverse assemblage of species. a diverse harbor forest dry-mesic the associated and prairie hillside dry quality good This ( Waters Valley Bluff Prairie the canopy. pine in of white portion asignificant with Area, the Driftless of in forest blocks intact one of the largest contains area This ( Taylor Oak meadow. patches of southern sedge with forest block of oak alarge contains hill steep This ( Trimbelle Peak golden and species eagles. numerous sparrow harbors annually and levels the valley in high reach birds of migratory populations Wintering birds. and for mammals avaluable and for resource the creek Trempealeau County Trempealeau Grant County Grant Buffalo County Buffalo Iowa County Iowa Jackson County Jackson ) - ) Pine Forest ) ) )
Battle Bluff Prairie Bluff Battle Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin
Thomas meyer