Whitman Bottoms Floodplain Forest

State Natural Area (No. 173)

Location: Within Whitman Dam Wildlife Area, Buffalo County. T20N-R12W, Section 34. 154 acres.

Access: From the intersection of Highway 35 and Kamrowski Road, just north of Merrick State Park, go northwest on Kamrowski Road 1.8 miles, then west on a dirt lane marked as a boat landing to a parking lot. Canoe downstream to the area. A 500-FOOT BUFFER ZONE IS POSTED AND PUBLIC ACCESS IS RESTRICTED DURING THE SUMMER NESTING SEASON. CONTACT THE State Natural AreaS PROGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Description: Whitman Bottoms Floodplain Forest contains a mature floodplain forest, a section of Indian Creek, and a large heron rookery. Dominants in the floodplain forest are silver maple and river birch in the canopy; poison ivy, grape, common moonseed, woodbine and wild yam as vines; and wood nettle in the herbaceous layer. Also present are American elm, swamp white oak, green ash, and prickly ash. An established and well-studied rookery of herons and egrets contains about 500 nests and is one of the largest in the state. Cavity-nesting bird species are very well represented and include seven species of woodpeckers and the uncommon prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria citrea). Indian Creek meanders through the natural area; the fishery is quite diverse, including some 62 species. Whitman Bottoms Floodplain Forest is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1982.