WEST - 6

LOWER RIVER & WYALUSING WETLAND TYPES David Schwaegler Floodplain forest, marsh, sedge meadow, shrub carr, low prairie

ECOLOGY & SIGNIFICANCE oak with basswood. The shrub layer of these forests includes button bush, winterberry, elderberry and prickly ash and the This Wetland Gem comprises floodplain wetlands of the ground layer includes cardinal flower, wood nettle, ostrich Lower as it flows unimpeded by for fern, royal fern, false nettle, groundnut, green dragon, false SAUK COUNTY its last 100 miles from Sauk City to its confluence with the

CRAWFORD/DANE/ dragon head and various sedges. Avoca Prairie, an example at . This wild and

GRANT/IOWA/RICHLAND/ of open wetlands in the river corridor, features low prairie • meandering river corridor features extensive public lands with more than 200 plant species including rattlesnake including numerous State Natural Areas; more than 79,000 master, lily, prairie blazing star, big bluestem, acres of land in this corridor are targeted for protection through prairie cordgrass, Indian grass, various sedges, sweetflag,

the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Wetland habitats yellow water buttercup, and two rare species – tall nutrush include extensive floodplain forest, marsh, sedge meadow, and prairie Indian plantain. shrub carr and low prairie. These floodplain wetlands are critical to maintaining a healthy river and support a variety of The extensive floodplain forests of the Lower Wisconsin rare and sensitive species. This site has tremendous wildlife support a diversity of birds, including numerous rare value and is a popular destination for paddling as well as and uncommon species such as red-shouldered hawk, hunting, fishing, birdwatching and hiking. northern harrier, yellow-crowned night heron, Acadian flycatcher, Louisiana waterthrush, and cerulean, Kentucky FLORA & FAUNA and prothonotary warblers. Other more common birds High quality floodplain forests of different composition are include pileated woodpecker, blue-gray gnatcatcher, brown found throughout this corridor. Silver maple is the dominant creeper, yellow-bellied sapsucker and hooded merganser. canopy tree in many areas, with cottonwood, American elm, The corridor also provides habitat for many amphibians and green ash, river birch, hackberry and bitternut hickory trees reptiles, including the state threatened Blanding’s turtle.

also present. Other areas are dominated by swamp white THREATS Increasing development in the watershed and upstream management threaten this high quality riverine system. Heavy recreational use may create impacts. Invasive plants are also of concern at this site. Future invasion by the emerald ash borer beetle threatens the site’s ash trees. Property Owner: WDNR Property WI Land Recognitions & Designations: WI State Natural Area, Site, The Nature Action Plan Reference Legacy Place, WI Wildlife ConservationConservancy WI Bird Priority Conservation Area, Area Initiative Important Bird & WYALUSING STATE PARK STATE & WYALUSING LOWER WISCONSINLOWER RIVER ACCESS Funding for this project provided by The McKnight Foundation, Wyalusing State Park’s canoe trail offers a which seeks to improve the unique way to see these riverine wetlands. quality of life for present and future generations through The Park also provides miles of hiking grantmaking, coalition-building trails, campsites and other recreational and encouragement of strategic policy reform. opportunities. For details, visit website: www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/ wyalusing.

Sources: Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program (WDNR) Wisconsin Land Legacy Report (WDNR) Wisconsin’s Strategy for Wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation wisconsinwetlands.org Need (WDNR) Prothonotary warbler— Scott Franke The Prairie-Forest Border: An Ecoregional Plan (TNC) Wisconsin Important Bird Areas (WBCI)