Ottawa National Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ottawa National Forest |
|
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
|
|
Pinus strobus, Katherine Lake. Ottawa National Forest, Sylvania Wilderness, Michigan
|
|
Map showing National Forests in Michigan.
|
|
| Location | Upper Peninsula, Michigan, United States |
| Nearest city | Ironwood, MI |
| Area | 993,010 acres (4,020 km2) |
| Established | January 27, 1931 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
The Ottawa National Forest is a huge natural area in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It covers almost one million acres, which is about 4,000 square kilometers! This forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
The main office for the forest is in Ironwood, Michigan. You can also find a visitor center in Watersmeet, Michigan. These towns and others nearby are connected by U.S. Highway 2. There are also smaller ranger offices in places like Bessemer and Ontonagon.
Contents
Exploring the Land: Topography
The Ottawa National Forest has beautiful wooded hills along the south shore of Lake Superior. This is especially true near the Black River.
Waterfalls and Rivers
The Black River is a special "Wild and Scenic River." As it flows towards Lake Superior, it creates seven amazing waterfalls! The Presque Isle River also has many waterfalls. Some of these are inside the forest, and others are in the nearby Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.
High Points in the Forest
The highest point in the Ottawa National Forest is a hill about 1,900 feet (580 meters) tall. It's located north of Lac Vieux Desert. Rain that falls on the north side of this hill flows into the Ontonagon River and then to Lake Superior. But rain on the south side flows into the Wisconsin River and eventually reaches the Gulf of Mexico!
Weather and Environment: Climate
The Ottawa National Forest gets a lot of rain and snow. Some parts of the forest receive over 200 inches (500 cm) of snow every year! In winter, Lake Superior helps create much of this snow. Even in summer, moist air from the distant Gulf of Mexico often turns into rain when it reaches the Lake Superior area.
Forest Soil and Ecosystem
The forest has plenty of water, but its topsoil isn't very deep. This is because huge glaciers from past Ice Ages scraped away much of the soil. This has created a unique boreal forest ecosystem.
A Look Back: History
The Ottawa National Forest has been home to several groups of the Ojibwa people for a very long time. They lived among the forest's many rocky wetlands. The Ojibwa hunted many mammals, especially beaver, for their fur. They traded these furs with people from Canada and the eastern United States.
From Fur Trade to Forest Protection
After the fur trade slowed down, much of the forest land was sold. The U.S. federal government created the Ottawa National Forest in 1931. The forest grew to its current size after more land was bought in the 1930s.
In the past, logging was a big activity here. You can still find a few areas with very old white pine and red pine trees. After World War II, more people started visiting the forest thanks to automobiles.
Fun in the Forest: Recreation
The Ottawa National Forest is a great place for outdoor activities! You can go fishing, canoeing, and kayaking on the lakes. In winter, the forest is popular for cross-country skiing and snowmobile riding.
Wilderness Areas
The forest also has three special wilderness areas. These are the McCormick Wilderness, the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, and the Sylvania Wilderness. These areas are kept very wild and natural for everyone to enjoy.
Ottawa Visitor Center
The Ottawa Visitor Center opened in 1971. It has programs and exhibits that teach you about the forest's nature and resources. The center helps visitors learn how to enjoy the forest safely and respectfully.
Images for kids
-
Sign at the entrance to O Kun de Kun Falls, located within the forest.
