Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
North Branch Bottoms (No. 489)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Oconto County. T33N-R16E, Section 36. T33-R17E, Section 31. 113 acres.

Access

The site can be accessed from Lakewood, Wisconsin. From the intersection of Highways 32 and F in Lakewood, go north and east on F 3 miles, then east on FR 2101 (Smyth Road) 0.3 mile, then south on FR 2330 (Sullivan Springs Road) 2.4 miles to the North Branch of the Oconto River. The site lies north of the road on either side of the river.

Description

Description

The core and highlight of North Branch Bottoms is the bottomland hardwood forest along the North Branch of the Oconto River. The floodplain forest is dominated by black ash, red maple, and large silver maple with a groundlayer of nettles and ostrich fern. Steep, rocky slopes border the floodplain with pockets of fire-scarred hardwoods on the slope with super-canopy white pine found along the river corridor. An isolated stand of remnant old-growth hemlock and American beech forest is included in the complex. Rare plant and bird species are found here. The understory is dominated by beech seedlings, maple-leaf viburnum, and witch hazel. Other plants include bracken fern, and hog-peanut. Upland stands are primarily red oak, sugar maple, and paper birch with some richer inclusions of sugar maple and basswood. Rare and uncommon species include butternut (Juglans cinerea), Indian cucumber-root (Medeola virginiana), and the state-endangered little goblin moonwort (Botrychium mormo). The rich understory is dominated by hog-peanut with maidenhair fern, lady fern, spikenard, round-lobed hepatica, bloodroot, and large-flowered trillium. A disjunct hemlock stand is found west of the complex. The rare pygmy shrew (Sorex hoyi) has been found just outside the SNA/RNA boundary and sufficient habitat exists within the site to support it. A complete survey may reveal the occurrence of this and other rare species within the site. North Branch Bottoms 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)