Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Black Creek Bog (No. 433)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ashland County. T41N-R4W, Sections 10-15. 576 acres.

Access

The site is located 10 miles south of Clam Lake. From the intersection of County GG and Highway 77, go south on GG 8.5 miles, then east 0.5 miles on FR 164. The site lies northeast of the road.

Description

Description

Black Creek Bog forms one of the largest open heath bog complexes with boreal attributes on the Glidden Drumlins landtype. It is predominately a large open sphagnum bog dominated by sphagnum, Carex oligosperma, and ericaceous shrubs including Labrador tea, bog laurel, bog rosemary, leatherleaf, and small cranberry. Patches of stunted black spruce and tamarack woodland are also present. Surrounding the bog is an upland forested area dominated by fire origin red pine, paper birch, and white spruce growing on a narrow gravel esker. Overstory trees are generally in the 8-12” diameter range with a few large white spruce greater than16” in diameter. Typical understory plants include bracken fern, poverty oats, club mosses, blueberry, Labrador tea, wintergreen, and other “boreal” associated plants. The site serves as the headwaters of Black Creek, a dark, warm water drainage stream that flows into the Moose River. This is an important area for boreal birds including gray jay, boreal chickadee and spruce grouse. Black Creek Bog 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)