Lunch Creek Wetlands

State Natural Area (No. 333)

Location: Waushara County. T18N-R10E, Sections 16, 17, 21. 567 acres.

Access: From the intersection of Highways 73 and 21 in Wautoma, go south and west on 21 2.6 miles, then south on County Y about 2.0 miles to a DNR parking area east of the road. Follow Lunch Creek downstream to the wetlands.

Description: Lunch Creek Wetlands contains one of the most diverse and species rich sedge meadows in Wisconsin situated within a mainly undisturbed watershed, an uncommon occurrence in Wisconsin. This large wetland complex is free of exotic species and dominated by fen and sedge meadow communities containing a total of 115 plant species. Many uncommon species are present including fringed gentian, Kalm's lobelia, grass-of-parnassus, and the rare wax-leaf meadow rue (Thalictrum revolutum). Wetland air photos show patterning - a rare phenomenon seen only at two other natural areas in Wisconsin-Cedarburg Bog and Bogus Swamp. The patterning is evident on the ground where high and low areas often show dramatic differences in plant species presence with wire grass sedges found in lower "impoundment" areas and a forb dominated sedge meadow directly adjacent to it. A fen-like meadow emanates from the uplands and upland islands surrounding the lower areas. Much of the meadow is dominated by wiregrass and blue-joint grass with other species including marsh milkweed, spring-cress, marsh thistle, boneset, swamp loosestrife, swamp lousewort, prairie blazing-star, and mountain mint. The area also provides ideal habitat for grassland and wetland birds such as the northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), a species of special concern in Wisconsin. Over 5,000 sandhill cranes roost here in October and early November. Lunch Creek Wetlands is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2000.