Dry Lake
Location
Potential Research Topics
This RNA is part of a large peatland study undertaken by the Wisconsin DNR to monitor biodiversity related to climate change. As a headwater lake of the Bad River the RNA would be an ideal location to monitor and study an important riparian system in Wisconsin. Other topics include bats, amphibians, softwater marsh and bog habitat, and forest succession.
Ecological and Physical Description
The most important features of Dry Lake RNA include diverse wetlands including an open bog and sedge meadow and a significant upland eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) hardwood stand nearing old-growth composition and structure. The extensive marsh and bog wetlands surrounding Dry Lake are undisturbed except for the occasional natural water level manipulation by beaver. Other natural community types include northern wet, wet-mesic, and mesic forest. Locally, as well as regionally, this forest type once dominated the landscape but is nearly gone in its original form. The site harbors two rare plant species, dragon’s-mouth orchid (Arethusa bulbosa) and Robbins spikerush (Eleocharis robbinsii).
Annual precipitation averages 33 inches (85 cm), 54% of which falls between April and September. Average seasonal snowfall is 102 inches (259 cm).
Mellen 4 NE (Station no. 475286). The station is located about 10 mi (16 km) to the north of the RNA.
Bedrock of the area includes igneous, metamorphic, and volcanic rock. Bedrock is between 100 feet (30 m) and 50 feet (15 m) of the land surface. Geomorphologic processes include till and glacial meltwater deposition.
Soils of the hemlock - hardwood forests fall into the Gogebic series. Loxley peat soils are found in the bog/sedge meadow area. Also present are muck soils of the Lupton, Cathro, and Tawas series.
Dry Lake RNA is a shallow, soft water drainage lake situated on a feeder stream to the Bad River, the main drainage-way of the county. This portion of the Bad River (just outside the RNA) is a state “Outstanding Resource Water”. The Bad River flows into Lake Superior and is a nationally known watershed of concern. Surface area averages about 18 acres (7 ha) depending on annual precipitation and maximum depth is 7 feet (2 m). The lake’s head is maintained by beaver dams that have washed out occasionally during its history, hence the name Dry Lake.
An un-named stream flowing northwest drains Dry Lake toward the Bad River. This is a fast-water stream with soft, warm water and has a hard bottom, woody debris, and a closed forest canopy. There are several low-flow streams by which Dry Lake receives water from surrounding wetlands. Several ephemeral ponds also occur within the rolling hills of the hemlock, maple and yellow birch forest.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alnus incana | alder | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Thuja occidentalis | mixed northern white cedar | Common Shrub Species | ||
| eastern hemlock | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Fraxinus nigra | black ash | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Larix laricina | tamarack | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Acer saccharum | sugar maple | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Betula alleghaniensis) | yellow birch | Common Shrub Species | ||
| eastern hemlock | Common Shrub Species | |||
| Dryopteris intermedia | wood fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Athyrium filix-femina | lady fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Rubus sp | dewberry | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Coptis trifolia | three-leaved goldthread | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Oxalis montana | mountain wood sorrel | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| sphagnum mosses | Common Herbaceous Species | |||
| Chamaedaphne calyculata | leatherleaf | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Carex stricta | tussock sedge | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Carex oligosperma | wiregrass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Typha latifolia | cattails | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Eleocharis robbinsii | Robbins spikerush | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Lithobates septentrionalis | mink frog | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odocoileus virginiana | white-tailed deer | Common Fauna | ||
| Castor canadensis | beaver | Common Fauna | ||
| Ondantra zibithicus | muskrat | Common Fauna | ||
| panfish | Common Fauna | |||
| Micropterus salmoides | largemouth bass | Common Fauna | ||
| dabbling duck | Common Fauna |