Upper Bucktabon Springs State Natural Area

Upper Buckatabon Springs features a complex of at least five undeveloped soft-water springs and spring ponds that drain into the upper reaches of the Wisconsin River. Collectively, these springs are highly important in maintaining water quality and quantity of the upper Wisconsin River. Such a concentration of soft-water springs is unusual in this region and within this watershed. Club-spur orchids grow along the spring pond margin while emergent and floating-leaved aquatics are found within the springs. The stream supports an abundance of aquatic macrophyte vegetation that provides significant habitat for aquatic invertebrates and other native wildlife species. Associated wetlands include shrubby shore fen, alder thicket, northern sedge meadow, and tamarack swamp. The surrounding uplands support good quality stands of mixed red pine and white pine with some mature jack pine present locally. A tiny stand and scattered inclusions of old growth red pine occur on a narrow ridge and a steep side slope in the northeastern corner of the site. Fire scars are common on many of these larger trees. Along some of the swamp margins are mature second growth stands of spruce and fir with scattered large remnant white cedars. Mature big-tooth aspen with red oak is present in the northeastern most forty. Upper Buckatabon Springs is owned by the DNR and the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands. It was designated a State Natural Area in 2010.