Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Barksdale Ponds (No. 419)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Bayfield County. T47N-R7W, Section 6. T48N-R7W, Sections 29-32. 337 acres.

Access

The site is located six miles east of Iron River. Go north on Forest Road 241 3.5 miles, then west on Forest Road 242.

Description

Description

Barksdale Ponds are a unique aquatic feature on the edge of dry, glacial outwash plain. Situated on hilly topography, the numerous soft water seepage lakes and ponds are surrounded by their associate emergent, submergent and shoreline communities, maturing red and white pine forest, and kettle bogs. The kettles range successionally from sandy shore, oligotrophic community ponds, through ericad bog ponds, open bog and closed canopy black spruce/tamarack forest. The kettle communities differ in context and content depending on the amount of water and nutrients in the system. Some are more sterile while others support a diversity of plant species. Located in pot holes of pitted outwash sands are treeless bogs. Dominant plants include Spirea, marsh cinquefoil, smartweed, and rattlesnake manna grass. The sphagnum bog mat supports leatherleaf, bog laurel, cotton grass, cranberries, and pitcher plant. Notable species include large round-leaved orchid (Platanthera orbiculata), and rusty cotton-grass (Eriophorum chamissonis), which is only known from several scattered sites in northern Wisconsin. The pine forest contains stands of older white and red pine from 16-18 inches in diameter with scattered large super-canopy pine. The moderate to sparse shrub layer is comprised of hazelnut and pine saplings. Ground flora includes big-leaf aster, bracken fern, wintergreen, blueberries, and bearberry. The area represents the historical vegetation continuum from dry pine barrens to more mesic forest and has excellent potential for the restoration of jack pine barrens, red pine savanna, and white and red pine forest. Barksdale Ponds is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

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.

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)