Battle Point
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
The RNA is located on a peninsula jutting into Lake Winnibigoshish and Cut Foot Sioux Lake. Marsh, lowland brush, small lake, quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), red pine (Pinus resinosa), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), and sugar-maple/American basswood (Acer saccharum/Tilia americana) ecosystems are present. The site is one of the few remaining old-growth northern hardwood forests occurring within the Chippewa National Forest. The mature sugar-maple/American basswood (Acer saccharum/Tilia americana) stand is the distinguishing feature of the RNA.
The average annual precipitation is 26.7 inches (67.8 cm), with 11.3 inches (28.7 cm) falling in summer. Average annual snowfall is 43.7 inches (111 cm).
Winnibigoshish Dam weather station is located 5 miles (9 km) south of Battle Point.
As part of the Bemidji Sand Plain and Aitkin Lacustrine Sand Plain, the topography is level to gently rolling. Battle Point is formed by an eskar. Soils are sandy over sand and well-drained. Finer textured soils occur in the southeastern portion of the RNA.
Most of Minnow Lake is within the RNA.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amelanchier spp. | Serviceberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cornus rugosa | round-leaved dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Corylus cornuta | beaked hazel-nut | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Sambucus pubens | red berried elder | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cornus alternifolia | pagoda-dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Lonicera dioica | wild honeysuckle | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Viburnum rafinesquianum | downy arrow-wood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Anemone quinquefolia | Wood-anemone | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Arisaema triphyllum | Jack-in-the-pulpit | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Aster macrophyllus | big-leaved aster | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Caulophyllum thalictroides | blue cohosh | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buteo lineatus | Red-shouldered hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Accipter gentilis) | northern goshawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Catharus guttatus | hermit thrush | Common Bird Species | ||
| Anas platyrhynchos | mallard | Common Bird Species | ||
| Aix sponsa | wood duck | Common Bird Species | ||
| Anas discors | blue-winged teal | Common Bird Species |