Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Bakken's Pond (No. 247)

Overview

Location

Within the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, Sauk County. T8N-R3E, Sections 9, 16. 160 acres.

Access

From the intersection of U.S. Highway 14 and State Highway 23 north of Spring Green, go west on Highway 14 3.0 miles, then south on Dyke Road 0.6 mile, then west on Kennedy Road 0.6 mile. Park along the road and walk south into the natural area.

Description

Description

Bakken’s Pond features a cold spring-fed stream with diverse invertebrate and fish fauna and contains emergent aquatic, southern sedge meadow and oak barren communities. The springs are quite small and scattered - often no larger than a quarter in size. Bordering the stream to the south is an extensive wet meadow consisting predominantly of bluejoint grass, sedges, and the invasive reed canary grass. Scattered woody vegetation interrupts the extensive sedge meadow with willows, alders, elms, and silver maple. This patchy woody vegetation later grades into a substantial bottomland forest bordering the Wisconsin River. Bakken’s Pond is home to a diverse amphibian and reptile community including cricket, green, chorus, and leopard frogs, tiger salamanders and eastern newts, northern water snake, and eastern painted turtles. In addition, several rare animal species are present including the state-endangered star head topminnow (Fundulus dispar), state-threatened Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), and the pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus). The site also contains the small forget-me-not (Myosotis laxa), a plant species of concern in Wisconsin. Also present around the wet area southeast of the dike are vast colonies of pickerel-weed and horned pondweed is found in the cold waters of the pond. Bakken’s Pond is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1991.

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.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 47 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 140 KB]

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)