Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Ottawa Lake Fen (No. 128)

Overview

Location

Within the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area, Southern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest, Waukesha County. T6N-R17E, Section 34 W½NW¼. 50 acres.

Access

From the intersection of County Highway Z and State Highway 67 in Dousman, go south on 67 4.9 miles to a parking area west of the highway. The easiest access is by canoe from a boat landing on the southwest side of Ottawa Lake.

Description

Description

Ottawa Lake Fen features lakes connected by a deep marsh and extensive shallow marl flats with a unique assemblage of both alkaline and acid-loving plant species. Ottawa Lake is a remnant lake located in an old glacial lake basin at the edge of end moraine deposits. The smaller northern lake is fed by numerous seepage springs, bubbling springs, and cold inlet streams and flows south into the larger Ottawa Lake. An unusually large number of wetland and aquatic plant communities occur within the site including submergent and emergent aquatics, southern sedge meadow, and shrub carr. The extensive fen-like marl flats are dominated by the unusual beaked spike rush (Eleocharis rostellata), which roots from the tips of sterile culms. Other uncommon and rare plants include pitcher plants in a highly alkaline environment, few-flowered spike rush (Eleocharis quinqueflora), common bog arrow-grass (Triglochin maritimum), Ohio goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis), and small fringed gentian (Gentianopsis procera). The natural area is also rich in animal life including Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), pickerel frog (Rana palustris), bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), lake chubsucker (Erimyzon sucetta), clams, and snails. Wading birds and waterfowl frequent the shallows. Birds include green heron, blue-winged warbler, yellow warbler, and willow flycatcher. Ottawa Lake Fen is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1976.

Maps

The WDNR'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. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. 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 land owner 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.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 37 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 152 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 55 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a preserve for calcareous fen and southern sedge meadow, as an aquatic reserve and wetland protection area, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes and prescribed fire will determine the structure of the wetlands. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native calcareous fens and sedge meadows.

Management Approach

The native aquatic species are managed passively, which allows nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the lake. The native wetland species are managed actively through tree/shrub control using brushing and especially fire to mimic natural disturbance patterns. Native wetland conifers and black ash may be retained at low densities. A fire management program will be used occasionally for management purposes, though its usage is limited due to the very wet nature of the site in most years. Other allowable activities include control of invasive plants and animals, and access to suppress wildfires.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Although maintenance of the trails, boardwalk and observation tower is allowed, manipulation/removal of vegetation and soil disturbance within the Natural Area should be minimized to the extent possible.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)