sign in sign up
<<
Home , Door Peninsula, Lake Michigan

Central Coastal ecological landscape

Attributes and Characteristics remediation effort is underway to remove pollutants Central Lake Central from the river bottom. Although still a seriously The western portion of this landscape is dominated impacted river, it remains a very popular boating and by the Wolf River system and is a popular recreation fishing location for the residents along the Fox Valley. destination. Soils tend to be mostly loamy along with peat and muck components. Some agriculture East of the Escarpment, the land gradually slopes is present, although a considerable amount of towards Lake Michigan. Many soils are clayey less productive land is no longer farmed. The and, although more poorly drained, are fertile and topography is a combination of gently rolling predominantly used for agriculture, particularly hills interspersed with large flat wetlands. dairy farms. Several rivers drain off the “backside” of the Escarpment, including the Anahapee, The central portion of the landscape, running Kewaunee, Twin, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, and between Duck Creek and the , Onion. Although impacted by non-point pollution,

is rapidly converting from agriculture to suburban heldon these rivers support moderate to good quality S . B.

development. Reflecting the long history of a variety A fisheries and are popular recreation locations. of industries located along its banks, the Fox River was one of the state’s most polluted waters. Water Cope’s Gray Treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) quality has improved in recent years as point source discharges have been reduced and an extensive Legacy Places DP Along the Lake Hardwood Swamps DOOR Michigan shoreline MARATHON OCONTO RH eyer SHAWANO WS M RA DC Duck Creek and Burma Swamp CS Colonial Waterbird DP Thomas PO KG Kewaunee River and Grasslands Nesting Islands

Stevens Point Green Bay Kohler OUTAGAMIE CS KG Lower Wolf River Bottomlands WAUPACA LB FP Fischer Creek, WOOD KEWAUNEE PORTAGE LB DC BROWN MB Manitowoc - Branch River Point Creek and MANITOWOC Appleton Cleveland Swamp NE PD MI River WINNEBAGO TW KA Kohler - Andrae Dunes WAUSHARA NE Niagara Escarpment MB Manitowoc Oshkosh OG Onion River Grasslands PO Point Au Sable FP ADAMS PD Point Beach W RH Red Hill Woods - is c GREEN LAKE o n s MARQUETTE in Sheboygan and Dunes R Fond du Lac i Brussels Grassland v Lake Michigan e SHEBOYGAN r FOND DU LAC KA RA Red Banks Alvar OG TW Twin Rivers WS West Shore Green OZAUKEE COLUMBIA Bay Wetlands DODGE SAUK WASHINGTON MI

DANE

IOWA WAUKESHA Madison JEFFERSON Milwaukee 128 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Land Legacy Report Thomas Meyer Wisconsin L Wisconsin Tellock’s Hill Woods State Natural Area in Waupaca County Waupaca in Area Natural State Woods Hill Tellock’s a n d L d e g a c y Re y p o r t

savanna and borealforest communities. elements Great of rocky shoreline, , covertree and adistinctive biota that includes Great shorelines. Lakes They have relatively low beds of limestone or dolomite of the in vicinity discontinuous of thin areas overlying soil horizontal by alvar.known characterized asan are Alvars thein of state community natural type of arare with theconflicts hunting use of the properties. connection that currently and exists help prevent would the ecological be important maintaining in area this in areas statethe large wildlife three open spaceMaintaining between and around at the headwaters of the . notably Marshes and Hayton (Killsnake) Collins wetin Several wetlands areas. large exist, still located of primarily largest The stands trees. are dominatedis by open patches with small farmland and someoak, hemlock. Currently the landscape beechand sugarAmerican maple with basswood, scape once supported dense forests dominated by along the Wolf and its major tributaries. opportunities protect corridor alarge to water quality. currently is DNR The pursuing valleythis amajor and are factorthe in river’s qualitywetlands high large, throughout occur thein western portion oflandscape. this Many important pockets of biological diversity. and could substantially contribute maintaining to of hawks. Some exist unprotected large, tracts still for shorebirds, waterfowl, songbirds, and avariety These shorelines amajor are pathway migratory most ecologically valuable the in resources state. although largely developed, among remain the and Green Michigan Lake The Bay shorelines, Opportunities and Needs Conservation This landscape harbors theThis only sizable example East of the Niagara Escarpment, land- this lowerThe Wolf River the is dominant feature

» » » » » » ( Natural communities: » » » » » » » » » Notable species: » Population: » » Size: » » » » Key characteristics: Bfor descriptions Appendix See

Hardwood swampHardwood duneGreat Lakes beach Forested and swale ridge cliff Dry Alvar Thickspike sea-rocket American mapleSugar beech American songbirds Migratory Shorebirds sturgeon Lake salmon Chinook 667,000 1,751,900 acres 2,740 miles square Wolf River of portion theCentral Fox Valley shoreline Michigan Lake and waterfowl population) (12.5% of Wisconsin’s ( Escarpment Niagara and Bay of Green Bay 4.9% of Wisconsin) 4.9%

Lega c y Pl y a ces ces

b y Ecological Landscape Ecological y )

129

Central Lake Michigan Central Lake Michigan 130 Figure 81: Figure

47 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Ecological by Places Legacy Legacy Places and public conservation lands of the Central Lake Michigan Coastal Michigan Lake Central the of lands conservation public and Places Legacy

Legacy Places and public conservationOconto lands Gillett Central Lake OcontoMichigan22 Coastal Falls 141 41 29

Shawano 32

42 57 RH 29 WS

5 Marion 41 DP 12

Clintonville 156 RA Algoma

W 45 4 o PO l f 54 R

i

v

e CS

r 11 110 22 Seymour KG 16 187 Green Bay 13 2 Kewaunee 29 Manawa 10 De Pere 54 DC 47 r 43 New 41 e LB iv R London x o

F 55 32 96

Weyauwega 42 Appleton 7 147 45 NE 15 Menasha PD

150 TW 14 49 Brillion Neenah 10 Two Rivers 1 MB er owoc Riv 41 anit Manitowoc 3 M 151

Oshkosh 21 9 Chilton Omro 42 Lake 32 Winnebago 151 New Berlin FP Holstein 44 Kiel

Lake Michigan 26

Ripon

S h

e

b 23 o y g a n 23 Fond du Lac River

Plymouth 43 Sheboygan 67

32 KA 8 41 28 OG

Waupun 57 45

28 Mayville 6 175 Beaver r e Dam iv Horicon 33 R ee West Milwauk Bend 151 Port Washington 41

MI Hartford 60

164 Public Conservation Lands

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Land Wisconsin State 67 Mequon 43 Federal Watertown County Forest

41 Miles 94 16 Milwaukee 0 2.5 5 10 190 Lake Pewaukee Wauwatosa Mills 94 Wisconsin L Wisconsin Figure 82: 82: Figure

47 GREEN BAY

WATERSHED Coastal Michigan Lake Central the of cover land and Places Legacy a n d L d Legacy Places and land cover Oconto e Gillett g 22 a c Oconto y Re y Central Lake Michigan Coastal41 Falls

p 141 o

r Sturgeon t Bay 29

Shawano 32 WOLF RIVER WATERSHED 42 RH 29 WS 57

Marion 41 DP

Algoma Clintonville 156 RA

45 PO 54 CS 110 22 187 Seymour KG Green Bay

Kewaunee 29 Manawa De Pere 54 DC TWIN-KEWAUNEE 47 New LB 41 43 WATERSHED London 55 32 LOWER FOX 96 WATERSHED Weyauwega 42 Appleton 147 45 NE Menasha PD 150 TW 49 Brillion Neenah 10 Two Rivers MB MANITOWOC Manitowoc WATERSHED 151

Oshkosh 21 Chilton Omro 42 Lake 32 Winnebago 151 Berlin FP 44 New UPPER FOX Holstein WATERSHED Kiel

Lake Michigan 26 Ripon SHEBOYGAN 41 WATERSHED 23

23 Fond du Lac Sheboygan Plymouth 43 67

32 KA Legacy Places 41 DP Door Peninsula 28 OG Hardwood Swamps DC Duck CreekWaupun and Burma Swamp 57 Kewaunee River KG 45 and Grasslands LB Lower Wolf River Bottomlands 28 MB Manitowoc-Branch River Mayville MILWAUKEE MI 175 Land Cover NE NiagaraBeaver Escarpment WATERSHED OG OnionDam River Grasslands Urban Horicon 33 RH Red Hill Woods- West Brussels Grassland Bend Port Washington Agriculture TW Twin Rivers 41 Lega UPPER ROCK Grassland Along theWATERSHED Lake c Hartford MI y Pl y 60 Michigan shoreline Shrubland

a CS Colonial Waterbird ces ces Nesting Islands 164 Forest b FP Fischer Creek, y Ecological Landscape Ecological y Point Creek and Cleveland Swamp Open Water 67 KA Kohler-Andrae Dunes Mequon 43 PO Point Au Sable Open Wetland Watertown PD Point Beach and Dunes Forested Wetland RA Red Banks Alvar WS West Shore Green 94 Milwaukee Miles Bay Wetlands 0 2.5 5 10 Lake Pewaukee 131 Wauwatosa Mills 94

Central Lake Michigan Central Lake Michigan Coastal Recreation Uses and Opportunities ecological landscape Stretching from Milwaukee to Green Bay, this ecological landscape is easily accessible to many of Wisconsin’s residents. However, much of the Public Conservation Lands existing public recreation land that is not adjacent to Lake Michigan contains a significant amount of wetland and provides a limited amount of 1 Map# Property Name Size (acres) recreation opportunity. The gently rolling hills

Central Lake Michigan Lake Central State of clay to loam soils could support a variety s 1 Brillion State Wildlife Area 4,835 of outdoor activities, in particular warm-season s 2 C.D. (Buzz) Besadny State Fish and Wildlife Area 2,340 trails. Trails that connect recreation lands to urban Collins Marsh State Wildlife Area 4,290 s3 centers (for example, Sheboygan County’s very s 4 Deer Creek State Wildlife Area 1,490 popular Old Plank Road Trail from Sheboygan s 5 Green Bay West Shores 1,410 State Wildlife Area2 to the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State s 6 Harrington Beach State Park 610 Forest) are expected to be heavily used. The Ice s 7 Holland State Wildlife Area 530 Age Trail runs through this ecological landscape s 8 Kohler-Andrae State Park 920 and, with several sections incomplete, there is great s 9 Killsnake State Wildlife Area 5,940 s potential to partner with several organizations 10 Mack State Wildlife Area 1,375 to accomplish broader recreation goals here. s11 Maine State Wildlife Area 675 s12 Navarino State Wildlife Area 2 14,240 Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay are s13 Outagamie State Wildlife Area 950 very popular boating, fishing, and sailing destina- s14 2,860 tions. Given the tremendous views that large water- s Rat River State Wildlife Area 2 100 15 bodies provide, the shoreline along Lake Michigan s16 Wolf River Bottoms State Wildlife Area 3,070 Miscellaneous Lands 3 3,470 and Green Bay is exceedingly popular for many different types of active and passive recreation. Federal erek

Although much of the shoreline is developed, there t Waterfowl Production Areas 695 is may be opportunities to protect areas, particularly in M avid County Forest 4 Kewaunee County, to provide additional public trails, D None camping, boat access, and fishing opportunities. (Acipenser fulvescens) spawning in the Wolf River TOTAL 49,800 Figure 83: Land cover of the Central Lake Michigan Coastal Figure 84: Public conservation and other land ownership Figure 85: Land cover of public conservation lands 1 Actual acres owned in this Ecological Landscape. 2 This property also falls within adjacent Ecological Landscape(s). in the Central Lake Michigan Coastal in the Central Lake Michigan Coastal 3 Includes public access sites, fish hatcheries, fire towers, streambank and non-point easements, lands acquired under statewide wildlife, fishery, forestry, and natural area programs, small properties under 100 acres, and properties with fewer than 100 acres within this Ecological Landscape. State 4 Locations and sizes of county owned parcels enrolled in the Forest Crop Law are presented here. Urban Open Wetland Open Water County Forest 3% Information on locations and sizes of other county and local parks in this Ecological Landscape 1% Urban Federal 0% is not readily available and is not included here, except for some very large properties. 7% 0% Agriculture Forested 4% 0% Wetland 14% 7% Grassland 4% Forest Shrubland 7% 0% Shrubland 0% Forest 11% Grassland 5% Other 97% (private land, roads, schools, cemetaries, military lands, etc.) Forested Agriculture Open Wetland Wetland 69% 45% 26%

132 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Central Lake Michigan Coastal ecological landscape DP Door Peninsula KG Kewaunee River Hardwood Swamps and Grasslands Size ...... Medium Size ...... Medium Protection Initiated...... Limited Protection Initiated...... Moderate Protection Remaining...... Moderate Protection Remaining...... Moderate Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Legacy Places Recreation Potential ...... 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 Scattered along the southern Door Peninsula Running across most of the Door Peninsula, are several large wetlands dominated by black the Kewaunee River flows through a predomin- Michigan Lake Central ash and red maple. Examples include: Duvall, antly wooded ribbon of habitat within a larger Gardner, Cunningham, May, Stony Creek, agricultural landscape. The Besadny Fish and Maplewood, Black Ash, and Lipsk Swamps. Wildlife Area protects some of the forested land These wetlands provide high quality, consis- along the Kewaunee and Little Scarboro Rivers tent flow to creeks and streams in the area. as well as some restored grasslands. Hunters Often found within agricultural settings, these and anglers heavily use the current properties wetlands also provide habitat for a variety and protection of additional property in the of wildlife. Although these sites have limited area could connect existing parcels and allow recreation value (given their wet nature), a wider variety of recreational uses. protecting some lands surrounding these Further downstream near the mouth of the wetlands could provide a variety river sits a large wetland complex on both sides of trail opportunities. of the river. The northern half of the wetland is open and marshy, while the southern half Duck Creek and is wooded. The area surrounding has a gently DC rolling topography, but steep bluffs (60 – 80 feet

Burma Swamp high) define the boundaries of both the floodplain eyer M Size ...... Small and the wetland. The marsh supports a diversity

Protection Initiated...... Limited of birds, both because of the varied habitats in Thomas Protection Remaining...... Moderate and around the wetland and because of the Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) Conservation Significance...... 0 proximity of the wetland to Lake Michigan. Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 The Kewaunee River drains into Lake Michigan Wolf, and its major tributaries the Embarrass Lying just east of the Village of Black Creek, approximately 4 miles from the Green Bay muni- and the Little Wolf, support one of the world’s Burma Swamp is a large forested wetland that cipal water system intakes and may affect the largest remaining lake sturgeon populations. sits at the headwaters of Duck Creek and is raw water quality of that system. The Green Waterfowl and migratory songbirds also heavily important in maintaining the creek’s flow and Bay system provides drinking water to use the river corridor. Over 40% of all the state’s water quality. Continued forest management is approximately 103,000 customers. native plant species are found in the Lower Wolf important in maintaining the area’s character. River Bottomlands and approximately 60% of the The area could provide significant hunting state’s breeding bird species annually nest here. opportunities in close proximity to several large LB Lower Wolf The rivers, backwaters, oxbows, and lakes harbor population centers (Green Bay and the Appleton- River Bottomlands numerous fish species, both game and non-game, Kaukauna area are both within 15 miles). Trout as well as a diverse concentration of reptiles, Size ...... Large Creek, a tributary to Duck Creek, has the poten- amphibians, and insects. Protection Initiated...... Substantial tial to be restored to a cold water fishery, the Protection Remaining...... Moderate The Lower Wolf River Bottomlands offers only one in Outagamie County.

Queen a unique opportunity to protect riverine com- t Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 er b o munities that are of multi-state significance in R Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 close proximity to large population centers. This Downstream of Shawano, the Wolf River Riverway walk along the Sheboygan River area contains one of the last large, continuous and winds through a corridor of extensive and intact floodplain communities in the Midwest and very high quality floodplain forests and open is within a one-hour drive of 500,000 people in the wetlands. The heavy springtime flows flood Fox Valley communities and Green Bay. Primary many of the backwater sloughs, providing critical recreation opportunities include fishing, hunting, spawning habitat for many species, notably wall- wildlife watching, boating and flat-water paddling. eye, northern pike, bass, and perch. The Lower

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 133 Central Lake Michigan Coastal system could provide trails for the Given the numerous rock outcrops, cliffs, and large open area lies Red Hill, which contains corridor. Canoeing opportunities are best along talus slopes, the Escarpment also harbors some the largest remaining maple-beech forest in this ecological landscape middle and lower sections of the river. Increased very unusual habitats that in turn support many ecological landscape. Together, this area forms stocking of various strains of steelhead in the late uncommon species. Pockets of ancient cedar trees, a valuable corridor between Gardner and 1980’s resulted in an outstanding stream fishery cold springs, and areas where cool air gently flows Black Ash Swamps. The Department owns approximately 30,000 acres in the spring and fall seasons. At present anglers out of the rocky hillsides are scattered along the in the Lower Wolf watershed in a series of wildlife, are hampered by a lack of access to these rivers. Escarpment. These fragile microhabitats support fisheries, and natural areas. These properties are The Manitowoc River has a few public access delicate ferns, flowers, and maybe most notably, Twin Rivers heavily used by the public throughout the year TW points, but access on the Branch River is limited a diverse array of extraordinarily rare snails. Size ...... Large and the Department is currently working with to road crossings. Better access on both streams Protection Initiated...... Limited Central Lake Michigan Lake Central local citizens to protect additional lands in the Areas along the Escarpment, particularly in would allow anglers and other users to more Protection Remaining...... Moderate Lower Wolf watershed. Door County, have relatively thin soil deposits as fully enjoy these waters. a result of glacial scouring and little post-glacial Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 The Wolf River flows into , The Manitowoc River discharges into Lake deposition. These soil conditions, combined with Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 the source of water for the Oshkosh, Neenah, Michigan near the City of Manitowoc’s municipal the fractured nature of the dolomite, can lead The East and West Twin Rivers are moderate- Menasha, and Appleton municipal water systems. water system intake and is believed to occasionally to groundwater contamination problems. sized rivers that flow through a predominantly As a result, water from this area may affect the affect the raw water quality of that system. The agricultural landscape interspersed with woods raw water quality of those municipal systems, Manitowoc system provides drinking water and wetlands. Patches of old-growth white cedar which provide drinking water for approximately to over 33,000 customers. Onion River Grasslands and American beech forest are scattered through 162,000 customers. OG Size ...... Small the valleys. The river bottom forest harbors many Protection Initiated...... Limited birds usually found farther north. Among these Manitowoc - Branch River MI Milwaukee River Protection Remaining...... Moderate are winter wren, blue-headed vireo, Blackburnian MB Conservation Significance...... 0 0 warbler, and yellow-bellied flycatcher. Several Size ...... Large See the Southeast Glacial Plains Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 fish species of special concern are found in the Protection Initiated...... Moderate ecological landscape. system and several rare plants occur along the Protection Remaining...... Substantial Southwest of Sheboygan is a gently rolling area West Twin River. Many wetlands have been Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 of predominantly farmland and old fields. Some restored in this basin. Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 NE Niagara Escarpment of the farm fields in the area are drained wetlands, Size ...... Large a few of which have been restored through the Upper reaches of the East Twin River and Originating in a series of vast wetlands on Protection Initiated...... Moderate Wetland Reserve Program. These and other idle several tributaries of each river have good the east side of the Niagara Escarpment, the Protection Remaining...... Substantial farmland could be used as a foundation on which populations of brook trout and stocked brown Manitowoc River flows through a landscape Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 to establish a mix of restored grasslands and trout. The middle and lower sections of the Twin of farm fields and forests before entering Lake Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 wetlands along with farm fields. The restored Rivers support high quality warmwater fisheries. Michigan. A key tributary, the Branch River, grasslands and wetlands are likely to support In addition, lower reaches of both rivers are stocked adds considerable volume. In its upper reaches, The Niagara Escarpment is a long dolomite a wider variety of wildlife if they are within an with Lake Michigan trout and salmon and have the river and its tributaries act as ecological ridge that, in Wisconsin, runs from the tip of agricultural rather than a developed setting. good seasonal migrations of returning adult fish. connections between the wetlands that dominate Door County, south along the east side of Lake Thus, efforts to protect and restore areas The woods and the occasionally exposed bedrock the Killsnake, Brillion, and Collins Marsh State Winnebago, and then finally recedes underground would need to be coordinated with efforts combine to make very scenic corridors for both Wildlife Areas. These Wildlife Areas provide over in Dodge County. The Escarpment continues east- to protect farmland. water trails and land based trails. These mid- 15,000 acres of wildlife habitat and associated ward through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, into sized “flat-water” rivers provide excellent canoeing recreation opportunities. Maintaining the sur- Canada, then resurfaces to form Niagara Falls. with some chutes and long runs. The Ice Age Trail rounding landscape in agriculture would help This linear, high ridge provides many of the Red Hill Woods - passes along almost half of the length of the East ensure that these properties meet their recrea- state’s most spectacular views and is the logical RH Twin River, largely without permanent protection. tion and ecological potential. Further down- means to link many existing protected areas on Brussels Grassland stream the river bottoms support extensive and near the Escarpment. Ellison Bluff, Red Size ...... Small The Twin Rivers drain into Lake Michigan fish spawning habitat and are important Banks Alvar, Carlsville Bluff, High Cliff State Protection Initiated...... Limited approximately 1 mile from the Two Rivers to nesting and migrating waterfowl. Park, Lake Winnebago and Horicon Ledge are Protection Remaining...... Moderate municipal water system intake and is believed Conservation Significance...... 0 0 to frequently affect the raw water quality of that This river system supports several rare aquatic some of the best-known places along the Escarp- Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 system. The Two Rivers system provides drinking species, including greater redhorse and wood ment. Given its length and proximity to the water to approximately 13,400 customers. turtles. The river acts as a travel corridor for many Fox River Valley cities, it is one of the most Brussels Township contains a mosaic of hay species moving from the large wetlands upstream frequently visited features in the state and and small grain farm fields interspersed with down to the Lake Michigan shore and the large there is considerable interest in protecting open grasslands. This combination of agricultural protected properties of Woodland Dunes and additional areas to meet conservation fields and grasslands supports many grassland Point Beach State Forest. Sections of this river and recreation needs. birds including upland sandpipers. North of this

134 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Central Lake Michigan Coastal ecological landscape Legacy Places

along Green Bay and the Lake Michigan Shoreline Michigan Lake Central

The Central Lake Michigan Coastal side and perhaps allow beds of emergent Several smaller protected sites exist ecological landscape includes about half aquatic vegetation to return. The east along the shore and provide public of Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shoreline shore of the bay consists of sand and access to the lake as well as some camp- and the southern portion of Green Bay. gravel beaches, in some places backed ing, trail, and other recreation oppor- There is considerable diversity of conditions by bluffs composed of glacial till tunities. Harrington Beach State Park along this shoreline, ranging from sloughs and lacustrine sediments. has about a mile of sand beach. Two to large complexes to clay bluffs. Creeks Buried Forest is a small state The Lake Michigan shore of this ecolo- Much of this shoreline is developed, in natural area that reveals the remains gical landscape extends from Algoma some places intensively, yet it still retains of an ancient forest that was buried to Milwaukee County. High clay bluffs, important ecological values. Kewaunee by material deposited by floodwaters ranging from 10 to 70 feet, primarily and northern Manitowoc Counties and glaciation. Fischer County Park in characterize the northern stretch of probably offer the best opportunities Manitowoc County offers impressive views shoreline. Also present, depending to protect large stretches of undeveloped of the lake from atop a high bluff, and a on lake levels, are narrow sandy beaches Lake Michigan shoreline. city park at the mouth of the Pigeon River as well as major dune complexes at Point in Sheboygan provides fishing in a fairly The west shore of the bay of Green Bay Beach State Forest and Kohler-Andrae natural and scenic environment. South contains low sand banks and large coastal State Park. In addition to their heavy of Port Washington are four interesting, wetlands at the mouths of major rivers. recreation use, both properties have steep-sided ravines cut into the clay bluffs Duck Creek and the Fox River empty into significant ecological value and harbor of the shoreline —Cedar Heights Gorge, the southern end of the bay and form a unusual species that are restricted Lion’s Den Gorge, Donges Bay Gorge and marshy estuary that was once far more to the unique habitats of sand dunes. Fairy Chasm. These deep, cool and shady extensive and provided significant habitat The southern shore in this landscape ravines contain relict plant species that are for fish and wildlife. Today it has been contains areas of gently sloping, low sand generally found further north. Although reduced in size and degraded, but there banks fronted by wide beaches. Between all are worthy of protection, only parts of are hopes that this estuary can be restored Port Washington and Milwaukee are Fairy Chasm and Lion’s Den Gorge have to some degree. Restoration of a chain of high glacial till bluffs, some reaching been successfully protected to date. small islands, including Cat Island, would 140 feet, with only narrow beaches

Thomas meyer help to break wave action on their leeward and few wetlands along the shore. Point Beach Ridges in Manitowoc County

Wisconsin Land Legacy Report Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape 135 interdunal wetlands (pannes) thickly vegetated Center, which harbors a mosaic of floodplains, shorebirds. The protected bays south and west CS Colonial Waterbird with lakeshore rush and sedges. Some of the forests, wetlands, and dune ridges. As some of of the points are filled with an abundant growth Nesting Islands common plants that stabilize the dunes are sand the few undeveloped large blocks of habitat left of aquatic plants. These emergent beds of rushes reed, Canada wildrye, marram grass, northern along the shore, the Point Beach State Forest and and sedges provide habitat for many species, Size ...... Small wheat grass, common and trailing junipers, sand the Woodland Dunes Nature Center provide critical including rails, herons, and yellow-headed black- Protection Initiated...... Substantial cherry, and willow species. More than 400 plant resting and feeding habitat for the large number birds. During spring and fall migrations, thous- Protection Remaining...... Limited species are found in Kohler-Andrae State Park, of birds migrating along Lake Michigan. In addi- ands of birds can be seen on these two points. Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 including more than 50 different tree species. tion, over 100 bird species are known to nest here Recreation Potential ...... 0 In autumn the skies above the dunes are often and the area provides habitat for a wide array Scattered in both Green Bay and along the frequented by migrating raptors, while the of other amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Central Lake Michigan Lake Central Lake Michigan coast are many small islands low shrubs and pannes are very attractive Other Areas of Interest that are utilized primarily by colonial water- to passerines. Four state-Threatened Cooperstown birds for nesting. Examples include Hat, Little plant species are present. RA Red Banks Alvar & Morrison Swamps Strawberry, Jack, Adventure, Spider, Gravel, A substantial amount of the area is protected Size ...... Small (Manitowoc and Brown Counties) Pilot, Hog, and Fish Islands. The US Coast within the very popular Kohler-Andrae State Park. Protection Initiated...... Moderate These adjacent, connected wetlands harbor Guard currently owns some, but several Efforts to buffer and/or expand the park would help Protection Remaining...... Moderate one of the largest and highest quality black are privately held. alleviate overcrowding, meet additional demand, Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 ash-red maple swamps remaining in the and provide a wider variety of recreation activities. Recreation Potential ...... 0 Central Lake Michigan Coastal landscape. This site is the only sizable example of an alvar Recreation opportunities are limited due Fischer Creek, Point Creek, to the wet nature of the area. FP natural community in the state and it supports and Cleveland Swamp PO Point Au Sable many rare snails, butterflies, and plants. The Rainbow Creek Headwaters Size ...... Small Size ...... Small Niagara Escarpment forms the bedrock for (Brown County) Protection Initiated...... Moderate Protection Initiated...... Substantial the alvar upon which a thin layer of soil has This wetland complex provides important Protection Remaining...... Moderate Protection Remaining...... Limited developed. Stunted oak and cedar are present spawning habitat for large numbers of northern Conservation Significance...... 0 0 Conservation Significance...... 0 0 and interspersed with grassy openings that can pike and other fish. The site consists of sedge Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 Recreation Potential ...... 0 include big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian- meadow, shrub carr, and lowland hardwood This area contains a mix of wetlands, lowland grass, and wood lily, as well as shoreline plants wetlands that are flooded in the spring Lying several miles northeast of the city of of the year. Much of this area is currently forests, seeps, and lakeshore bluffs. A small county such as silverweed and dwarf lake . During Green Bay, Point Au Sable contains a wetland being used as private recreational land. park exists near the mouth of Fischer Creek but inside a hook-shaped peninsula. It is the only wet weather, pools form in depressions and then a significant portion of the area is unprotected. sizable wetland on the east side of the bay and, gradually seep into the fractures in the lime- Lebanon Swamp (Waupaca County) Lake Michigan, through “ ,” influences as such, is an important stopping point for many stone. Cool air and water seep out the base Fischer and Point Creeks at their outlets, and types of migratory birds. The primary wetland of the Escarpment, providing excellent habitat This large wooded wetland complex feeds several streams that drain to the Wolf and during high water periods, lake water can extend community is an emergent marsh comprised for rare snails. Nearby wetlands support many Little Wolf Rivers. The area supports a wide as far as one-quarter mile inland. As the lake level mostly of cattails and giant reed that has been rare species and should be considered in any rises and falls, it continually changes the elevation protection strategy that is developed. range of fish and wildlife species. Flynn Lake, considerably altered by the fluctuations in a small undeveloped lake, is within the swamp. of the creek outlets and is responsible for the high Green Bay water levels. A stream flows quality sedge meadows and cattail marshes that through the wetland, and there are Thornberry Creek are present. Recreation could include low-impact many areas of open water. WS West Shore (Brown County) activities such as interpretive displays, hiking Green Bay Wetlands This is the only stream with a naturally trails, bird watching, and nature study, in addi- Size ...... Large reproducing trout population in Brown County and could provide easily accessible fishing tion to providing access to Lake Michigan. Point Beach Protection Initiated...... Substantial PD opportunities for urban residents. Dunes and Ridges Protection Remaining...... Limited Size ...... Medium Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 Renard Swamp Kohler - Andrae Dunes (Door County) KA Protection Initiated...... Substantial Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 Size ...... Small Protection Remaining...... Limited Along the west shore of Green Bay is a series Renard Swamp is located on the southwestern Protection Initiated...... Substantial side of Door County, adjacent to Green Bay. This Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 0 of wetlands that offer multiple conservation Protection Remaining...... Limited site contains a significant southern hardwood Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 0 benefits. The wetlands provide valuable spawning Conservation Significance...... 0 0 0 0 swamp with beach ridges. Yew is present on the habitat for many of the fish species in Green Recreation Potential ...... 0 0 0 0 This long stretch of undeveloped lakeshore ridges just north of Shoemacher Point. There is contains some of the state’s largest sand dunes. Bay. Waterfowl, shorebirds and songbirds a high diversity of species present in the swamp, South of Sheboygan along Lake Michigan Behind the dunes is a series of parallel ridges flock to the wetlands, particularly during but water quality in Renard Creek has been is an interesting mix of river marsh, pine and swales that supports many rare plant species. spring and fall migrations. impacted by non-point pollution. and hardwood forests, long beaches and active Further inland is a large forested wetland. South Long Tail and Little Tail Points, two long and stabilized sand dunes. There are several of Two Rivers lies the Woodland Dunes Nature arching sandy spits that jut out into Green Bay, provide resting and nesting habitat for many 136 Legacy Places by Ecological Landscape Wisconsin Land Legacy Report