Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Brunsweiler River and Mineral Lake (No. 421)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ashland County. T44N-R4W, Sections 10, 11, 14, 22, 23. 1,523 acres.

Access

The site is located 8 miles west of Mellen. Take County Highway GG to FR 187, which passes along and then through the site.

Description

Description

Brunsweiler River and Mineral Lake features a scenic, rocky river gorge incised in an upland of Keweenawan granite bedrock, and several high quality old growth hemlock-hardwood stands embedded in a large tract of maturing northern mesic hardwoods that includes some of the largest yellow birch on the forest. The closed canopy northern mesic forest is dominated by sugar maple, hemlock, and yellow birch. Snags and down woody debris is common. American fly honeysuckle is the dominant shrub with leatherwood, Canada yew, and alternate-leaved dogwood also present. The ground flora is diverse. Grass and grass-like species include sedges, rattlesnake manna grass, and bottlebrush grass. Other herbaceous plants are club-moss, sessile-leaved bellwort, large-flowered trillium, rosy twisted stalk, dutchman’s breeches, mountain wood sorrel, and three-leaved goldthread. The flora of the gorge varies considerably from streamside to the adjacent ridge tops. The lowland areas and low, shaded cliffs are dominated by a canopy of white cedar, yellow birch, hemlock, and black ash. Canada yew and mountain maple are present in the midstory and on shaded cliff ledges. Ferns (especially Dryopteris) are abundant in the understory. Speckled alder dominates lower, wetter portions of the bank. In this region, the Brunsweiler River flows north through a series of natural, glacially-created lakes, with high gradients and deeply-cut chasms between the lakes. The erosive power of the river has created numerous streamside cliffs, both open and shaded, some of which harbor a large population of the rare fragrant fern. The cliffs also afford habitat to Braun’s holly fern. This stretch of river contains slack water, in the form of shallow pools, is interspersed with rapids flowing over large, granitic boulders. Two small, intermittent feeder streams, which drain the adjacent uplands, flow into the river from the east. A bridge crossing FR 187 spans the river and a footbridge for the North Country Trail crosses the river at the northern edge. The river itself is in natural condition, of high quality and supports a diverse fishery. Brunsweiler River and Mineral Lake is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

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.

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)