Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Milwaukee River Tamarack Lowlands & Dundee Kame (No. 256)

Overview

Location

Within Kettle Moraine State Forest Northern Unit, Fond du Lac County. T14N-R19E, Sections 35, 36. 468 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highway 67 and County Highway G in Dundee, go south on G 2.9 miles, then east on the Forest Headquarters access road 0.4 miles to a parking area. Get a State Forest map showing trail locations. Exit the headquarters and go north on G 0.85 miles, then east on SS 0.2 mile to a parking area. Take the hiking/bridle trail north into the area.

Description

Description

Milwaukee River Tamarack Lowlands and Dundee Kame features a large wetland complex occupying both sides of the river with southern hardwood swamp, northern wet-mesic forest, northern wet forest, southern sedge meadow, shrub-carr, and a slow, hard, warm stream. Also protected is the Dundee Kame, a conical shaped hill rising 250 feet above the surrounding landscape. The kame is known as a moulin kame, actually a pile of glacial till left behind when a glacial stream loses its gradient and velocity and then deposits the till into a pile. This natural area is important for the protection of an extensive watershed and for its value as wildlife habitat. Animal species of concern include pugnose shiner (Nortropis emiliae) and two butterflies-- the state-threatened swamp metalmark (Calephelis muticum) and special concern species the black dash (Euphyes conspicua). Both butterflies depend on these low wetlands for survival and the swamp metalmark specifically requires the swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum) on which to deposit its eggs. Milwaukee River Tamarack Lowlands and Dundee Kame is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area 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, 240 KB]

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)