Wolf River Bottoms

State Natural Area (No. 536)

Location: Shawano County. T25N-R16E, Section 32. 56 acres.

Access: The site is only accessible by water.

Description: Situated along the Lower Wolf River, Wolf River Bottoms is part of the larger Leeman Bottoms and contains significant stands of mature floodplain forest, which exhibits old-growth characteristics in places. There is no recent evidence of harvest. Large silver maple (15 to 50 inches in diameter), swamp white oak, and green ash dominate the bottomlands. The understory is rich and includes sensitive fern, jumpseed, wood nettle, cardinal flower, and a high diversity of sedges and grasses. Characteristic birds include American redstart, pileated woodpecker, barred owl, and wood duck. The state-threatened red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) has been observed on adjacent parcels and the area contains the large trees this species requires for nesting. Also present is the state-threatened Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingi) along with many rare aquatic species including fish, mussels, and invertebrates. A nearby oxbow pond was and produced a large diversity of aquatic invertebrates including the rare freshwater shrimp. This section of river corridor is mostly privately owned and large areas have been subjected to ill-advised logging making long-term protection of this site highly significant. Wolf River Bottoms is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.