Bearsdale Creek and Hyatt Spring Research Natural Area

State:

Wisconsin

County:

Bayfield

Forest:

Chequamegon-Nicolet

District:

Washburn

Established:

2015

Acres:

495

Description:

Bearsdale Creek and Hyatt Spring Research Natural Area contains a diverse mix of representative communities including mature northern dry-mesic forest, exposed dry bedrock outcrops, and a rich bottomland-like hardwood forest. This forest is composed of medium to large black ash (Fraxinus nigra) and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpon) and borders Bearsdale Creek as it leaves the western remnants of the Penokee Range. Of interest are landlocked streams that originate from springs and ponds, flow overland for a distance then disappear into the permeable soil. Two rare plant species, fragrant woodfern (Dryopteris fragrans) and dry-land bittercress (Cardamine parviflora) are found in this RNA.

Ecological Information

Physical and Climatic Conditions

Nearest weather station, with distance and direction from RNA:

The Drummond Ranger Station (station no. 472240) is 6 miles east of the RNA.

Annual precipitation (type, seasonal distribution) :

Annual precipitation averages 34.3 inches (87 cm). Average seasonal snowfall is 68.1 inches (173 cm).

Maximum and minimum temperatures:

Temperatures average 58.6°F between April and September and between October and March temperatures average 24.6°F. Daily maximum temperatures average 52.6°F and daily minimum temperatures average 30.6°F.

Elevation:

Elevations range from 1,220 feet (372 meters) to 1,390 feet (424 meters) above sea level.

Geology and Soils:

In the Bearsdale Creek and Hyatt Spring RNA, the bedrock of LTA Xf01 consists of carbonates and bedrock is within 100 feet of the land surface and exposed in some places. Geomorphologic processes are dominated by glacial meltwater deposition. Soils generally fall into the Karlin-Padus and Sayner-Karlin soil series.  Karlin-Padus soils are nearly level to sloping soils that are predominantly well-drained sandy loam and loam over medium and coarse sandy outwash.

Aquatic Features:

Bearsdale Creek lies on level outwash plain and originates from Bearsdale Springs; a spring area made up of two impounded spring ponds. This short stream is unique in that it is landlocked. After flowing for two miles (3.2 km), it disperses over a flat sandy area and sinks into the ground.
Shunenberg Creek originates from Shunenberg Springs and flows in a northwesterly direction where it joins Hyatt Creek, a short, landlocked stream. Hyatt Creek eventually disappears into the ground.

Ecological Classification & Inventory

Section:

Northern Highland (212X)

Subsection:

Hayward Stagnation Moraines (212Xf)

Landtype:

Cable Rolling Outwash (Xf01)

Plant Communities:

 

Complete Plant List

Common Shrub Species

Species noted on community survey forms from 1996 include white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), common raven (Corvus corax), and red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis). Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), beaver (Castor canadensis) wood ducks (Aix sponsa) and other and migratory waterfowl occupy the stream.
Bearsdale Creek is a Class III brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) stream, meaning no natural trout reproduction occurs. It requires annual stocking of trout to provide trout fishing. Generally, there is no carryover of trout from one year to the next. Other fish include longnose dace (Rhinichthys cataractae), blacknose dace (R. atratulus), common shiners (Luxilus cornutus), northern creek chubs (Semotilus atromaculatus), and sculpin (Cottus spp).

Common Herbaceous Species:

Characteristic herbs include bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), winterberry (Gaultheria procumbens), large-leaved aster (Aster macrophyllus), narrow-leaved cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare), and club-mosses (Lycopodium/Huperzia spp.).

Common Fauna

The mature upland forests of Bear Creek RNA provide nesting sites for pileated woodpeckers (Corvus corax ) and northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus). Seven species of bats occur on the CNNF and while there has been no survey for bats in this area all species rely at one time or another on a matrix of older forests and water such as this RNA provides. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) exist here in high numbers as evidenced by the extensive browse on trees and shrubs. The state-threatened red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus) has also been seen and heard calling within the area (Fields 1997).

Potential Research Topics

Landlocked streams occur only within this area of the state and offer a unique research opportunity. The bottomland forest has a composition reflective of forests much further south and also offers interesting research prospects. Other topics include: fire-dependent ecosystems and prescribed fire methods to maintain them; and species on the northern edge of their range as it relates to climate change.

Related link: Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program Bearsdale Creek & Hyatt Springs

Related Reports and Publications