Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve
Location in Kentucky
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| Location | Ballard County, Kentucky, United States |
| Nearest city | Barlow, Kentucky |
| Area | 458 acres (185 ha) |
| Created | February 20, 1991 |
| Official website: http://naturepreserves.ky.gov/naturepreserves/Pages/axelake.aspx | |
Axe Lake Swamp State Nature Preserve is a special natural area in Kentucky. It covers about 458 acres (which is like 346 football fields!). This preserve is located near Barlow, Kentucky, in a spot known as "the Barlow bottoms." It's a type of land called a wetland. Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present near the surface, for all or parts of the year. This wetland was formed by regular floods from the Ohio River.
Axe Lake was first set aside as a nature reserve on February 20, 1991. At that time, it included 146 acres of the main lake. It also had about 120 smaller pieces of drier land. Later, on December 11, 2001, another 312 acres were added to the preserve. This made it much larger!
The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves sees Axe Lake as a very important place. They have a big plan to protect even more land around it. Their goal is to protect 3,000 acres of swamp land. This larger area will be called the Axe Lake Swamp wetlands complex.
Why Axe Lake Swamp is Special
Axe Lake Swamp is one of the best examples of a large, healthy cypress-tupelo swamp in Kentucky. These swamps are unique ecosystems. They are home to many different kinds of plants and animals.
Important Wildlife and Plants
This protected area is known to support at least eight rare plant and animal species. This means these species are not found in many other places. The swamp is also a key spot for birds. It has been recognized as an important wetland for waterfowl. Waterfowl are birds like ducks and geese. They use the swamp for food, rest, and raising their young.
If you want to visit Axe Lake Swamp, you need to get written permission first. This helps protect the delicate environment and its rare inhabitants.
Animals and Plants You Might See
Axe Lake Swamp is home to many interesting wetland species. Here are a few you might learn about:
- Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum): These are tall trees that can grow in water. They have special "knees" that stick out of the water.
- Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias): This is a large, wading bird. It has long legs and a long neck. It often stands still in the water, waiting to catch fish.
- Great Egret (Casmerodius albus): This is another large wading bird. It has bright white feathers and a long, yellow beak.
- Wood Duck (Aix sponsa): This is a very colorful duck. The males have shiny green, purple, and brown feathers. They often nest in tree holes near water.
