Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Kettle Hole Woods (No. 254)

Overview

Location

Sheboygan County. T13N-R20E, Section 18. 83 acres.

Access

From the intersection of U.S. Highway 45 and State Highway 28 in Kewaskum, go east on Highway 28 3.6 miles, then north on Forest View Road 5.7 miles. The natural area boundary is about 0.8 miles past Highway S. Walk east into the area.

Description

Description

Located in southeastern Wisconsin's glacial kettle topography is Kettle Hole Woods, an isolated hill forested with southern mesic and dry-mesic hardwoods. Ephemeral ponds are scattered throughout the site. The mature forest features an excellent canopy of very large trees, primarily red oak and sugar maple with associated beech, basswood, white ash, white oak, and bitternut hickory. Most saplings are sugar maple and beech suggesting that the red oaks will eventually be replaced by other more mesophytic species. The shrub layer is variable in density with witch hazel, American hazelnut, viburnums, and gooseberry. Mayapple, Pennsylvania sedge, interrupted fern, lady fern, round-lobed hepatica, and wild geranium characterize portions of the groundlayer while scattered open areas with pockets of gooseberry support maidenhair fern, blue cohosh, bent trillium, and violets. Two state-threatened species, red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), and Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) nest here. Also present is the uncommon yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, and hairy woodpecker. Many of the ponds are also used by a large number of amphibians. Kettle Hole Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a SNA in 1992.

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.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 210 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a reserve for southern dry-mesic forest, southern hardwood swamp, and emergent aquatics, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the natural communities represented here.

Management Approach

Native species are managed passively, allowing nature to determine the ecological characteristics. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, salvage of trees after a major wind event, and maintenance of existing facilities.

Site-Specific Considerations

• The plantation will be thinned and harvested, and conversion to southern mesic forest will be promoted. Old field will be allowed to succeed to forest. Ephemeral ponds will be off-limits to vehicle access during tree salvage operations.

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)