Bearsdale Creek and Hyatt Spring
Location
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.
Ecological and Physical 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.
Annual precipitation averages 34.3 inches (87 cm). Average seasonal snowfall is 68.1 inches (173 cm).
The Drummond Ranger Station (station no. 472240) is 6 miles east of the RNA.
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.
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.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pteridium aquilinum | bracken fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Gaultheria procumbens | winterberry | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Aster macrophyllus | large-leaved aster | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Melampyrum lineare | narrow-leaved cow-wheat | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Lycopodium/Huperzia spp. | club-mosses | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odocoileus virginianus | white-tailed deer | Common Fauna | ||
| Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | red squirrel | Common Fauna | ||
| Corvus corax | common raven | Common Fauna | ||
| Sitta canadensis | red-breasted nuthatch | Common Fauna | ||
| Ondatra zibethicus | muskrat | Common Fauna | ||
| Castor canadensis | beaver | Common Fauna | ||
| Aix sponsa | wood ducks | Common Fauna | ||
| Salvelinus fontinalis | brook trout | Common Fauna | 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. |
|
| Rhinichthys cataractae | longnose dace | Common Fauna | ||
| R. atratulus | blacknose dace | Common Fauna | ||
| Luxilus cornutus | common shiners | Common Fauna | ||
| Semotilus atromaculatus | northern creek chubs | Common Fauna | ||
| Cottus spp | sculpin | Common Fauna |