Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Blomberg Lake (No. 392)

Overview

Location

Within Amsterdam Sloughs Wildlife Area, Burnett County. T38N-R17W, Sections 3, 4. T39N-R17W, Sections 33, 34. 390 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 35 and 70 in Siren, go west on 70 3.7 miles, then west and north on County N 2.5 miles, then east on an access trail 0.4 mile and park. Walk east 0.1 mile to the lake.

Description

Description

Located within a sandy glacial plain, Blomberg Lake is a 68-acre bog lake surrounded by a northern wet forest. The shallow lake (4’ maximum depth) supports only a few aquatic plants including white and yellow water-lily, and large-leaved pondweed. The surrounding wet forest is dominated by tamarack with very few black spruce. The understory varies locally from Labrador-tea to three-seeded sedge to alder. Further from the margin of the lake are many wetland grasses and sedges in the herbaceous layer such as blue-joint grass, drooping wood-reed, bristly sedge, American woolly-fruit sedge, yellow blue-bead-lily, sweet gale, marsh skullcap, and American starflower. Migratory waterfowl often use the lake and surrounding wetlands. Blomberg Lake is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2003.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 151 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a northern wet forest reserve, an aquatic reserve, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native northern wet forests.

Management Approach

The native species are managed passively, which allows nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the site. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress fires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event and dredging are not considered compatible with management objectives.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)