State Natural Areas_Content Page_StCroixAshSwamp_148

St. Croix Ash Swamp

No. 148

148_StCroixAshSwamp.jpeg

Photo by B. Delaney

 

St. Croix Ash Swamp features a range of forest types from mesic uplands adjacent to the St. Croix River through extensive low swamps to droughty uplands on the sandy plain above the river valley. The hardwood swamp is composed of basswood, black ash, American elm, yellow birch, white oak, and red maple with scattered white cedar, balsam fir, and white pine. On the forest floor are small pockets of standing water between the mossy hummocks. The flat sandy uplands are wooded with young oaks. The river valley contains very steep sides that rise nearly 100 feet above the swamp.

Small spring-fed streams and seepages have eroded small pockets and tributary valleys providing diverse microhabitats. The primary soils are Omega sand, Cathro muck, Rifle mucky peat, and Emmett loamy sand. Common nesting birds include winter wren, scarlet tanager, veery, ovenbird, red-eyed vireo, and cerulean warbler, the latter here at its northernmost range limit. St. Croix Ash Swamp is owned by the DNR and National Park Service. It was designated a State Natural Area in 1979 and later expanded to include the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for a variety of recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the Maps tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.

The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and a detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.

Hunting and trapping

This SNA has multiple landowners: Opportunities for hunting and trapping depend on the landowner. In general, most DNR-owned land allows hunting and trapping. Partner-owned land may have other rules (for example, university-owned lands do not allow hunting or trapping). Please contact them directly to find out about their rules for hunting and trapping. You can find a link to other owner websites under the Resources tab.

Allowable activities: DNR-owned land

The activities listed below are generally allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted above and posted with signs on the property site.

Prohibited activities: all SNAs

  • Camping and campfires
  • Collecting of animals (other than legally harvested species), non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead.
  • Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR
  • Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses
  • Geocaching
  • Horseback riding
  • Rock climbing
  • Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use.

For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR].

Location

Within Governor Knowles State Forest and along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Burnett County. T37N-R20W, Section 2, 3. T38N-R20W, Sections 34, 35. 609 acres.

Driving directions

From the intersection of State Highway 48 and 70 in Grantsburg, go west on 70 for four miles, then south on River Road for 2.3 miles, then west and south on River Road for 2.4 miles to an unmarked parking area at the southeast corner of the site.

The DNR'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. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. 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 landowner 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. To create your custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's Mapping Application.

Property Map [PDF]

St. Croix Ash Swamp is owned by: National Park Service and the Wisconsin DNR

Management objectives and prescriptions

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway [exit DNR]

Governor Knowles State Forest