Chippewa Moraine Lakes State Natural Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chippewa Moraine Lakes State Natural Area |
|
|---|---|
Burnt Wagon Lake
|
|
 Chippewa Moraine Lakes State Natural Area
Location in Wisconsin
Chippewa Moraine Lakes State Natural Area
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Chippewa, Wisconsin, United States |
| Area | 306 acres (124 ha) |
| Established | 2010 |
The Chippewa Moraine Lakes area is a special natural spot in Wisconsin. It's made up of nine different lakes. These lakes are spread across about 30 square miles (78 km2) in northern Chippewa County.
What makes this area unique? It has a "terminal moraine" landscape. This means it has hills and valleys formed by ancient glaciers. Each lake here is mostly untouched by people. They also have their own special plants and animals. This is because of how each lake is shaped and what its water is like.
Let's meet some of these cool lakes:
- Camp Lake is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) lake. It has a floating mat of sphagnum bog plants around it. You can find plants like white beak rush and even a grass pink orchid here!
- Spence Lake is a 12-acre (4.9 ha) lake. Its water is a bit acidic, like a bog. It's also where Foster Creek begins. You'll see conifer trees and hardwood trees around it. Beavers have been busy building dams near this lake!
- Bass Lake #1 is a 6-acre (2.4 ha) lake. It's a "seepage lake," meaning it gets its water from groundwater and rain. It's known for having at least one rare plant species.
- Bass Lake #5 is an 8-acre (3.2 ha) lake. It's deep and has "hard water," meaning it has lots of minerals. This lake is a main starting point for Mud Creek.
- Deer Lake is another 6-acre (2.4 ha) seepage lake. It also helps form the headwaters of Mud Creek.
- Burnt Wagon Lake is a 15-acre (6.1 ha) lake with soft water. It's "landlocked," meaning no streams flow in or out. There are no buildings or roads around it, making it very peaceful.
- Fishpole Lake is an 11-acre (4.5 ha) "meromictic lake." This is super rare! It means its water layers don't mix, even in spring and fall. This creates unique conditions for plants and animals.
- Plummer Lake is a big 41-acre (16.6 ha) lake. It's deep and has hard water.
- Little Plummer Lake is a 10-acre (4 ha) lake. It's a "wild" lake, with no roads or buildings. Its hard water flows into Plummer Lake.
Where are the Lakes?
These nine amazing lakes are found inside the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area. This area is also part of the larger Ice Age National Scientific Reserve. They are all located in the northern part of Chippewa County. You can explore the lakes using the many roads and trails in the Recreation Area and the Chippewa County Forest.
Meet the Lakes!
Here's a list of the lakes and their locations:
| Lake Name | Map Link |
|---|---|
| Camp Lake | 45°17′27″N 91°19′53″W / 45.29083°N 91.33139°W |
| Spence Lake | 45°17′15″N 91°18′59″W / 45.28750°N 91.31639°W |
| Bass Lake #1 | 45°13′14″N 91°16′54″W / 45.22056°N 91.28167°W |
| Bass Lake #5 | 45°12′24″N 91°18′35″W / 45.20667°N 91.30972°W |
| Deer Lake | 45°12′21″N 91°18′08″W / 45.20583°N 91.30222°W |
| Burnt Wagon Lake | 45°10′58″N 91°20′40″W / 45.18278°N 91.34444°W |
| Fishpole Lake | 45°11′41″N 91°20′19″W / 45.19472°N 91.33861°W |
| Plummer Lake | 45°13′04″N 91°20′48″W / 45.21778°N 91.34667°W |
| Little Plummer Lake | 45°12′54″N 91°21′15″W / 45.21500°N 91.35417°W |
