State Natural Areas_Content Page_White River Prairie Tamaracks_368

White River Prairie/Tamaracks

No. 368

368_Sedgemeadow.jpeg

Photo by Janeen Laatsch

 

White River Prairie/Tamaracks contains one of the largest tamarack bogs and one of the largest and least disturbed wet prairies remaining in Wisconsin. The tamarack bog contains a dense canopy of tamarack with an understory dominated by sphagnum moss with a sparse willow and dogwood component. Also present are paper birch and a small area of black spruce along the eastern edge of the site. Ground cover consists of many northern plant species such as yellow-blue bead lilies and three-leaved gold-thread. Also present are marsh marigold, lake sedge, tussock sedge, bunchberry, bulbet water hemlock, marsh fern, and round-leaved goldenrod.

The low, wet prairie contains excellent flora with some fen aspects and is dominated by a great diversity of native species, none of which occupy more than 10% of any area. Some plants more typical of fens include sweet grass, shrubby cinquefoil, and boneset. Grasses present are big blue-stem, blue-joint grass, and prairie cord grass. Showy forbs include prairie blazing-star, Michigan lily, narrow-leaved loosestrife, wild bergamot, swamp milkweed, swamp saxifrage, spiderwort, culver's-root, golden alexanders, northern bedstraw, hoary vervain. Scattered around are small upland black oak "islands" and small ponds, which add diversity to the site. The prairie harbors a substantial population of a state-threatened bird. Other birds include sedge wren, northern waterthrush, Nashville and black-throated green warblers, and veery. White River Prairie/Tamaracks is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.

Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for various recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. Trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the Maps tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.

The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and a detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.

Entrance fees: Except for Parfrey's Glen, the Cambrian Outlook in the Dells of the Wisconsin River, SNAs within State Parks and some within State Forests, all other DNR-owned SNAs do not have any admission fees. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45 [exit DNR]. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.

ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES: DNR-OWNED LAND

The activities listed below are generally allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted above and posted with signs on the property site.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES: ALL SNAS

Although a handful of sites allow activities like primitive camping (e.g. Lower Chippewa River on sand bars) or horseback riding (e.g. S. Kettle Moraine), the activities listed below are generally prohibited on DNR-owned SNAs.

  • Camping and campfires
  • Collecting of animals (other than legally harvested species), non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead. Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR
  • Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses
  • Drones: Flying-related activities, including the use of drones, hang-gliders and model airplanes, are prohibited. Permission may be issued by the SNA Program for the use of drones for educational or research purposes.
  • Geocaching
  • Horseback riding
  • Rock climbing
  • Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use

For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR].

Location

Within White River Marsh Wildlife Area, Green Lake County. T17N-R11E, Sections 2, 11, 12, 13. 780 acres.

Driving directions

The area is best seen by canoe. A boat launch on Highway 73 in Neshkoro provides access to the river.

The DNR's state natural areas program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions and private individuals. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the landowner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

To create your custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's mapping application.

Property map [PDF]

White River Prairie/Tamaracks is owned by: Wisconsin DNR