Red Cedar River Savanna

State Natural Area (No. 412)

Location: Dunn County. T29N-R12W, Sections 11, 12, 13, 14. 210 acres.

Access: Contact the State Natural Areas Program for access information.

Description: Located on sand islands and terraces within the Red Cedar River floodplain, Red Cedar River Savanna features a unique dry savanna on riverine sand and gravel deposits. A mosaic of natural features is present on this river island including pine-oak savanna, patches of barrens, backwater sloughs, open sand and gravel bars, and floodplain forest. Jack pine and bur oak are scattered throughout the openings and dominate the eastern portion of the island while a canopy of white pine, swamp white oak, and green ash dominate the island’s western side. The groundlayer is diverse and contains at least 27 savanna indicator plant species including prairie brome, silky wild rye, New Jersey tea, woodland thistle, goat’s rue, Canada hawkweed, and fringed puccoon. An abundance of prairie dropseed is also present – indicating a lack of intensive past grazing. Numerous prairie species are also present and include big bluestem, little bluestem, June grass, side-oats grama, sky-blue aster, wild bergamot, white prairie clover, and leadplant. Near the center of the island is an area of old oxbow lakes surrounded by a narrow fringe of silver maple. Around the periphery are gravel deposits with early successional vegetation including wild rye, switchgrass, and numerous sedges. Red Cedar River is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2005.