Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Swamp Creek Fen (No. 589)

Overview

Location

Langlade County. T34N-R12E, Sections 4, 5. 115 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highway 55 and County M in Mole Lake, go south on 55 one mile. Walk west across county forest lands 0.6 miles to the northeast corner of the site.

Description

Description

Swamp Creek Fen features a diverse mosaic of community types including a high quality boreal rich fen surrounding a small alkaline bog lake. A rare open peatland community of northern Wisconsin, the boreal rich fen is low in nutrients but significantly rich in calcium, which has a direct influence on the composition of plants found here. Groundwater seepage is apparently flowing through the wetland and providing a good source of calcium. Characteristic species include buckbean, white beak-rush, beaked bladderwort, woolly-fruited sedge, livid sedge, bog goldenrod, and pitcher plant. The fen is bordered by a narrow band of open black spruce and tamarack northern wet forest with some areas supporting white cedar. Shrubs are sparse but include bog rosemary, Labrador-tea, bog birch, and mountain holly. The fen provides habitat for a number of rare and specialized plant species, including the state threatened linear-leaved sundew. At least a dozen species of orchid have been documented within this site. Other rare plants are common bog arrow-grass, downy willow-herb, and sparse-flowered sedge. The uncommon spruce grouse is also supported here. Small swamp islands forested with second growth stands of spruce and fir with scattered pine punctuate the northern portion of the swamp. The fen is embedded within a wetland complex large enough to maintain most, if not all, of the ecological processes and functions necessary for long-term maintenance. Swamp Creek Fen is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2008.

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, 269 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)