Kawishiwi Experimental Forest

Climate

Lake Superior influences the climate of nearby land, moderating extreme temperatures and increasing precipitation toward the northeast. Yearly rainfall ranges from 66 to 79 cm and average snowfall is about 150 cm. Temperatures range from -58 °C in the winter to 37 °C in the summer. Average seasonal temperatures are 6 °C in the spring, 17 °C in the summer, 7 °C in the fall, and -12 °C in the winter.

Soils

Seventy-five percent of the Superior National Forest in mapped as rock outcrop, 17 percent as till boulder clay, and 8 percent as moraine sand. The Kawishiwi is mostly in the rock-outcrop geological type. The land surface is generally rolling, with alternating low rocky ridges and peat swamps. Some of the depressions are well drained and contain good quality loam of fair depth. The soil on the slopes and ridges is of good quality but very shallow and rocky. These conditions make the area strictly nonagricultural. The podsolic profile is notably absent or poorly developed.

Vegetation

At time of establishment, the forest was primarily jack pine, black and white spruce, and aspen. Balsam fir, northern white-cedar, maple, and eastern white and red pine were also present.

The Kawishiwi has no facilities.

Lat. 48°6′ N, long. 93°5′ W

Research, Past and Present

In the past, silvics and silviculture of jack pine, spruce, and balsam fir, especially on rock outcrop formations, were studied. No research is currently being conducted on the Kawishiwi.

Major Research Accomplishments and Effects on Management

The silvicultural research conducted in the first three decades of the Kawishiwi added greatly to our knowledge of the silvics and silviculture of jack pine, spruce, and balsam fir. This information was the basis for handling such species on the Superior National Forest, particularly on rock-outcrop formations. In the 1950’s, the timber types and condition classes of the Kawishiwi were no longer suitable for the research needs in northern conifer silviculture.

Research Opportunities

There is no formal program. Proposals should be directed to lead scientist Brian Palik.