Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Butler Lake Flynn's Spring (No. 257)

Overview

Location

Sheboygan County. T14N-R20E, Section 20. 158 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highway 67 and County Highway F in Dundee, go east on F one mile, then north on Division Road 1 mile, then east on Butler Lake Road 1.1 mile, then south on an access road 0.1 mile to a parking area, boat launch, and trailhead for the Butler Lake Trail. The wetlands are best accessed by canoe.

Description

Description

Butler Lake and Flynn's Spring features a seven-acre shallow hard-bottom lake surrounded by sedge meadow. Previously, the site contained a tamarack hardwood swamp but a few years of high water levels has killed off most of the trees. Although the groundlayer has also been flooded, the aquatic vegetation and geologic features are still intact. Nearby Flynn's Spring is a small, spring brook flowing into the south end of Butler Lake. Chara covers the marl-bottomed Butler Lake while the dominant submerged aquatic species is Illinois pondweed. Emergents include white water-lily, bull-head pond-lily, and hard-stem bulrush. A small zone of sedges and bulrushes on the north end is the only open wetland. Older tamaracks, which formerly surrounded the lake, have died but the species is reproducing well along the northwestern and southern shores. Adjacent to the lake is Parnell Esker, a geologic feature known worldwide and used extensively for education. The esker is 5 to 35 feet in height and runs northeast southwest for about four miles. Of particular interest at this site is the presence two rare species-- the unicorn clubtail dragonfly (Arigomphus villosipes), and the swamp spreadwing (Lestes vigilax). Butler Lake and Flynn's Spring is owned by the DNR and was designated 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, 180 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)