Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Kettle Moraine Low Prairie (No. 88)

Overview

Location

Within the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Waukesha County. T5N-R17E, Sections 3, 4, 9, 10. 250 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highways 67 and 59 in Eagle, go north on Highway 67 2.1 miles to a gated access lane leading west. Walk west 0.5 mile to the southeast corner of the site.

Description

Description

Kettle Moraine Low Prairie lies near the center of the Scuppernong Basin, a broad lowland drained by the Scuppernong River that once supported a vast prairie and sedge meadow complex. Situated in the glacial plain of southeastern Wisconsin, the northern portion of prairie is on gently undulating topography with standing water in depressions. Wet prairie and fen species such as blue-joint grass, shrubby cinquefoil, valerian, grass-of-Parnassus, and the uncommon Ohio goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis) dominate this area. Rich wet-mesic prairie lies to the south where the land slopes down to the river. Dominant species include Indian grass, big and little blue-stem, rattlesnake-master, and prairie dock. Small, upland islands within the wetland contain recovering oak opening and dry-mesic prairie. The natural area harbors significant populations of rare plants and animals and is an important refuge for them. These include prairie Indian plantain (Arnoglossum plantagineum), marsh blazing-star (Liatris spicata), the state-endangered Powesheik skipperling (Oarisma powesheik), state-threatened Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) and Henslow's sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii). Other rare animals of note include the two-spotted skipper (Euphyes bimaculata), grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), and western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta). Kettle Moraine Low Prairie is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1971.

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.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 36 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 136 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 31 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)