Springstead Muskeg

State Natural Area (No. 344)

Location: Iron County. T41N-R3E, Section 28. 164 acres.

Access: From the intersection of State Highways 13 and 182 in Park Falls, go east and north on 182 about 14.3 miles, then go south 1.4 miles on Springstead Road to the site. Walk west into the bog.

Description: Springstead Muskeg encompasses the northernmost portion of an extensive undisturbed bog complex stretching from Springstead Lake south to Newman Lake. The wetland is located in pitted glacial outwash moraine at the headwaters area of the South Fork of the Flambeau River. This Sphagnum-based peatland supports many ericaceous species including leather-leaf, small cranberry, and bog-rosemary along with tussock cotton-grass and few-seeded sedge. Stunted black spruce and tamarack are widely scattered throughout. The surrounding uplands are forested with second-growth northern hardwoods. Bird fauna in the area includes the rare gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis), and palm warbler, Lincoln's sparrow, and sandhill crane. Springstead Muskeg is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.