Keller Whitcomb Creek Woods

State Natural Area (No. 158)

Location: Within the Whitcomb Creek Fishery Area, Waupaca County. T24N-R12E, Section 5. 128 acres.

Access: From the intersection of Highways E and G south of Big Falls. Go west and south on G 2.3 miles, then west on Boelter Road 1.25 miles to the northeast corner of the site. Park along the road. The site lies south of the road.

Description: Situated in a depression of glacial till, Keller Whitcomb Creek Woods features a diversity of natural communities on undulating topography. It encompasses the headwaters of Whitcomb Creek, a sandy bottomed, fast-flowing Class I trout stream with naturally reproducing brown and brook trout. The stream receives abundant water from tributary spring runs that line the bank. Springy pockets in low areas near the stream support a wet-mesic forest dominated by white cedar with black ash, balsam fir, red maple, and white pine. Upland edges have a greater canopy diversity including yellow birch, white birch, and hemlock. The ground layer is diverse with more than 18 species of fern. Other plant species include wild sarsaparilla, evergreen sedge, three-leaved goldthread, cinnamon fern, naked miterwort, Canada bunchberry, and yellow bluebead lily. Also present is a good quality northern dry-mesic forest of white and red pine along with red and white oak. Understory species include early low blueberry, maple-leaved Viburnum, alternate-leaved dogwood, gaywings, Canada mayflower, partridgeberry, and American starflower. The area is rich in wildlife. Of interest are winter wren, veery, raven, and the red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), a state threatened species. Other animals include a diverse assemblage of passerines, ruffed grouse, red fox, common snakes, and occasional waterfowl and mink. Keller Whitcomb Creek Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1980.