Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Lake Alva Birch-Hemlock (No. 509)

Overview

Location

Within the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Vilas County. T42N-R8E, Section 27, 28, 33. 314 acres.

Access

From Boulder Junction, Go south and east on County K 5.7 miles, then north and east on Nixon Lake Road 6.2 miles, then south on Camp No 2 Road 2.1 miles to an old logging road north of the road. Park and walk north into the site.

Description

Description

Lake Alva-Birch Hemlock features a mature northern mesic forest on the rolling topography south of Lake Alva. The old-growth forest is composed of hemlock, yellow birch, and sugar maple with basswood, red oak, and white pine. Very large, old trees are present including scattered super-canopy white pine. In minimally disturbed areas the hemlock comprises 50% of the canopy with trees averaging between 9-15 inches in diameter and the largest trees up to 25 inches. Although hemlock reproduction is minimal here, there are lush beds of hemlock saplings in the stand adjacent to the wetland southeast of the lake. The groundlayer includes Canada mayflower, shining club-moss, American starflower, bunchberry, three-leaved goldthread, winterberry, trailing arbutus, twinflower, and twisted stalk. On more level terrain further south and east is a second-growth hardwood forest of medium-sized sugar maple, red oak, and paper birch. A few small stands of medium to large hemlock occur within this hardwood matrix. The undeveloped 24-acre Lake Alva is a seepage lake with low fertility and a sand/gravel bottom. Surrounding the lake is a conifer swamp dominated by black spruce and tamarack with white cedar, balsam fir, and white spruce. Understory species include blueberry, leather-leaf, pond sedge, creeping snowberry, Labrador tea, bog rosemary, cinnamon fern, pitcher plant, and American starflower. Of note is the presence of the state-threatened red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus). Lake Alva-Birch Hemlock is owned by the DNR 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.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 241 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)