Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Lost Creek Bog (No. 274)

Overview

Location

Bayfield County. T51N-R6W, Sections 32, 33, 34. 447 acres.

Access

At the junction State Highway 13 and County Highway C in Cornucopia, go west on Blueberry Lane about 1.3 miles to its end. Park at the undeveloped canoe/kayak launch for access to the northern portion of the bog via foot or water. DNR land ownership at the launch is extremely limited, affording space for only 1 or 2 vehicles. Also, DNR land is not directly accessible along Blueberry Lane to the east, as may be depicted in plat and other maps. Do not park elsewhere along Blueberry Lane and walk south into the bog, as this would constitute trespass on private property. The remainder of the wetland is best accessed by canoe/kayak. Uplands are accessible adjacent to Highway 13 on the south or Roman Point Road on the west.

Description

Description

Lost Creek Bog features a Lake Superior estuarine system at the drowned mouths of three small creeks (Lost Creek 1, 2, and 3) where they empty into Siskiwit Bay. A coastal barrier sand spit forested with spruce and pine separates the wetlands from the lake. Shore fen, grading to open sedge bog, shrub swamp, and northern wet forest dominated by tamarack are the major communities in the natural area. The fen is well developed on the west and north sides of the lagoon, with a mat composed of woolly sedge, bogbean, sweet gale, and cotton grass. Boggy areas are dominated by Sphagnum mosses, sedges, leather-leaf and other ericaceous shrubs. Lost Creek 1 and 2 are flat, shallow, cold water streams with sandy bottoms that sustain a small brook trout population. Lost Creek 3 is a warm water drainage stream supporting minnows. The emergent marsh at their confluence harbors the largest known Wisconsin population of the state-endangered lake cress (Armoracia lacustris). Flora of the marsh is composed of lake sedge, water arum, marsh cinquefoil, and cat-tail. Bur-reed, water milfoil, yellow water-lily, common bladderwort, and pondweeds are among the submergent and floating-leaved species in the marsh. Several rare plants and animals have been recorded in the natural area, including dragon's-mouth orchid (Arethusa bulbosa), livid sedge (Carex livida), Hooker’s orchid (Platanthera hookeri), bog fritillary butterfly (Boloria eunomia), and bog copper butterfly (Lycaena epixanthe). Uncommon nesting birds recorded here are yellow-bellied flycatcher, evening grosbeak and merlin. Migratory waterfowl and other water birds make extensive use the site. Lost Creek Bog is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1993.

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, 263 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a reserve for submergent/emergent marsh, open bog, and shore fen, as an aquatic reserve and a wetland protection site, as a rare plant habitat site, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest and wetlands. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native northern mesic forests, tamarack swamps and open bogs.

Management Approach

The native species are managed passively, which allows nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the site. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress fires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event is not considered compatible with management objectives.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Augmentation of the lake cress population may be considered after scientific review.
• Although removal of hazardous trees from over and near state-approved snowmobile trails is an allowed activity, manipulation/removal of vegetation and soil disturbance must be minimized, and must have no impact on the rare species found at the site. This also holds true for the boat launch area.
• Roadside and utility easement areas may be managed sporadically by state, township and utility.

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)

Data

Plant List