Barney Creek

State Natural Area (No. 301)

Location: Located within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Oconto County. T33N-R15E, Sections 6, 7. 325 acres.

Access: From the intersection of State Highway 32 and County Highway T in Townsend, go north on Highway 32 3.9 miles, then south and west on FR 2123 (Diamond Roof Road) 1.4 miles to a gated access lane west of the road. Walk west on an unimproved forest service road 1.4 miles to the west fork of Barney Creek. A map and compass are recommended.

Description: Within a gently sloping rocky ravine is Barney Creek - a small spring-fed stream flowing over gravel and boulders. The cool, moist microclimate within the stream corridor contains a rich mesic forest with a diverse herbaceous flora. The stream banks and adjacent slopes are covered with second-growth hardwoods dominated by sugar maple, basswood, aspen, and yellow birch. Black cherry, red oak, and white ash are also present. American elm, once a major canopy component here, has been lost to Dutch elm disease. A generally sparse shrub layer includes ironwood, hazelnut, dogwoods, and fly honeysuckle. Characteristic herbaceous species include numerous spring ephemerals and wood nettle, lady fern, Pennsylvania sedge, wild sarsaparilla, Virginia waterleaf, and orange jewelweed. Also present are dwarf scouring-rush, golden saxifrage, and plantain-leaved sedge (Carex plantaginea). Notable species include the state threatened Braun's holly fern (Polystichum braunii) and Wisconsin's largest known population of the state endangered foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia). Barney Creek is owned by the USDA Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 1996.