Regional and Property Analysis Lower Wisconsin State Riverway March 2014 Cover photo by Brad Hutnik (back of front cover) The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and function under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.) upon request. Please contact the Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Facilities and Lands at (608) 266-2135 for more information. Pub-LF- 080 2014 Table of Contents I) Introduction and Overview ........................................................................... 1 Purpose of Regional and Property Analysis ................................................................. 1 Introduction to the Property and Region ....................................................................... 1 Background and Property History ................................................................................ 4 Riverway Protection and Aesthetic regulations ............................................................ 6 II) THE REGIONAL CONTEXT ............................................................... 8 Social-economic Environment ...................................................................................... 8 Regional Population Centers and Transportation ............................................................. 8 Land Use ............................................................................................................................ 9 Land Values ........................................................................................................................ 9 Land Development ............................................................................................................. 9 Population ........................................................................................................................ 10 Economic Context ............................................................................................................ 13 Recreation ........................................................................................................................ 13 Biological Resources and Ecological Capability ........................................................ 15 Regional Ecological Context ............................................................................................ 15 Natural Communities ....................................................................................................... 17 Rare Species ..................................................................................................................... 17 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) ............................................................. 17 Other Works Highlighting the Ecological Importance of the LWSR ............................... 19 III. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS ............................... 21 Boundary and Ownership ........................................................................................... 21 Topography, Geology, and Soils ................................................................................ 21 Geology and Glacial History ........................................................................................... 21 Soils .................................................................................................................................. 22 i The River and Other Water Resources ............................................................................. 23 Ecological Changes in Recent History ....................................................................... 25 Agriculture ....................................................................................................................... 25 Fire ................................................................................................................................... 26 Hydrologic Changes ......................................................................................................... 26 Vegetation and Natural Communities of the LWSR and Opportunities to Conserve Them ..................................................................................................................................... 27 Dry Upland Forests .......................................................................................................... 27 Southern Mesic Forests .................................................................................................... 28 Southern Dry-mesic Forests ............................................................................................. 29 Southern Dry Forests ....................................................................................................... 29 Pine Relicts ....................................................................................................................... 30 Floodplain Forests ........................................................................................................... 30 Oak Openings and Oak Woodlands ................................................................................. 30 Barrens Natural Communities ......................................................................................... 31 Prairies ............................................................................................................................. 31 Rare Vascular Plants ....................................................................................................... 32 Opportunities for Biodiversity Conservation .............................................................. 32 Ecological Connections ................................................................................................... 32 Migration Corridor .......................................................................................................... 32 Older Forests / Old-Growth Forests ................................................................................ 33 Floodplain Forests ........................................................................................................... 33 Aquatic Features .............................................................................................................. 34 Open Wetlands ................................................................................................................. 35 Oak Openings, Oak Woodlands, Prairies, and Barrens .................................................. 35 Mesic Forest Rare Plant Conservation ............................................................................ 37 Exceptional Site-specific Opportunities for Natural Community Conservation .............. 38 Wildlife of the LWSR ................................................................................................. 41 ii Mammals .......................................................................................................................... 41 Birds ................................................................................................................................. 41 Fish ................................................................................................................................... 42 Mussels and other Aquatic Invertebrates ......................................................................... 43 Reptiles and Amphibians .................................................................................................. 44 Terrestrial Invertebrates .................................................................................................. 45 Management Opportunities for Rare Wildlife Species ..................................................... 45 Threats to the Biodiversity of the LWSR .......................................................................... 55 Future Biological Inventory, Monitoring, and Research Needs ...................................... 55 Cultural History of the LWSR .................................................................................... 57 Recreational Use and Facilities of the LWSR ............................................................ 58 Boating and sandbar camping: ........................................................................................ 58 Fishing: ............................................................................................................................ 58 Sunbathing and Swimming: .............................................................................................. 59 Equestrian Use: ................................................................................................................ 59 Hiking and Cross-country Skiing: .................................................................................... 59 Picnicing: ......................................................................................................................... 60 Special Events: ................................................................................................................. 60 Historic sites: ................................................................................................................... 60 Hunting ............................................................................................................................. 60 Birding and Wildlife Viewing: ........................................................................................