North Fork Eau Claire River

State Natural Area (No. 525)

Location: Within Eau Claire County Forest. T26N-R5W, Sections 2, 3, 10, 11. T27N-R5W, Sections 26, 27, 34. 367 acres.

Access: This area is best seen by canoe.

Description: North Fork Eau Claire River features a 3-mile stretch of the north fork from just north of Hamilton Falls to just south of the confluence with Beeman Creek. This warm-water drainage stream flows from Clark County southwest into the main branch of the Eau Claire River. Most of the site focuses on the river and adjacent cliff communities, although the southern portion extends to cover oxbows, islands, and adjacent meadows and savannas. This relatively wild reach contains several rare aquatic invertebrates including the sand snaketail dragonfly (Ophiogomphus smithi). The cliffs and steep-sided terraces harbor many more rare to uncommon plants and animals. These types of natural communities have received little recognition for their ecological reference attributes in the past. Cooperative recognition between Eau Claire County and the State Natural Area Program will provide long-term protection of this unique resource. North Fork Eau Claire River is owned by Eau Claire County and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.