Echo Lake
Location
Potential Research Topics:
Echo Lake RNA contains two long-term monitoring plots in the Nicolet Breeding Bird Survey, providing a useful baseline for studies of bird population dynamics. It also provides opportunity for studies of old growth northern mesic forests, wet mesic forests, acid bog lake systems, and rare plants including the economically important ginseng.
Ecological and Physical Description
Echo Lake RNA protects several eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and hardwood stands (yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) and sugar maple (Acer saccharum)) that are among the oldest, least disturbed, structurally and compositionally intact communities on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The principal features of Echo Lake RNA are a soft-water seepage lake with a surrounding bog mat, and several stands of mature hemlock/hardwood forest situated on rolling moraine. The RNA also contains a mosaic of wetland types that includes northern wet forests dominated by black spruce (Picea mariana) and tamarack (Larix laricina), white cedar swamp, alder thicket, and open bog. The mix of community types in this RNA supports several rare species including the gray jay (Perisoreus canadensis) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).
Annual precipitation averages 30 inches (76 cm), 69% of which falls between April and September. Average seasonal snowfall is 53 inches (134 cm).
Eagle River (station no. 472314) located about 13 mi (21 km) to the west of the RNA.
Bedrock of the area includes igneous, metamorphic, and volcanic rock. Bedrock is greater than 100 feet from the land surface. Geomorphologic processes were glacial meltwater deposition with a surface of collapsed outwash plain.
A large area of the central and southern portion of Echo Lake RNA includes the Stambaugh soil series. Other soils include Carbondale, Greenwood, Pence, and Padus series.
Aquatic features include Echo Lake, a 13-acre (5 ha) slightly acidic, very clear, soft-water seepage lake with a maximum depth of 12 feet (3 m). There is no development along the 0.57 mile (0.9 km) lakeshore but there is an unimproved carry-in boat access. A small tributary of Ninemile Creek flows from a conifer swamp through the northern part of the RNA into Upper Ninemile Lake impoundment. It is a soft-water stream with slightly alkaline, light brown-stained water and is likely inhabited by brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). The stream bank is predominantly sedge mat or alder but a portion is shaded by boreal-like forest.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corylus cornuta | beaked hazelnut | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Dirca palustris | leatherwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Lonicera canadensis | American fly-honeysuckle | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Lonicera canadensis | velvet-leaf blueberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Panax quinquefolius | American ginseng | Common Herbaceous Species | a species of viability concern on the CNNF |
|
| Arisaema triphyllum | jack-in-the-pulpit | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Huperzia lucidulum | shining club-moss | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Dryopteris intermedia | intermediate wood fern | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Coptis trifolia | three-leaved goldthread | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Caulophyllum thalictroides | blue cohosh | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Empidonax flaviventris | yellow-bellied flycatcher | Common Fauna |
Publications
- Robert W. Howe, Lance J. Roberts. 2005. Sixteen years of habitat-based bird monitoring in the Nicolet National Forest
- C. John Ralph, Terrell D. Rich. 2005. Bird Conservation Implementation and Integration in the Americas: Proceedings of the Third International Partners in Flight Conference. 2002 March 20-24; Asilomar, California, Volume 1 and 2