Dorothy Lake State Natural Area
Dorothy Lake State Natural Area is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-designated State Natural Area featuring forested end moraine topography, with many steep-sided ridges and depressions. This results in a diverse mosaic of natural communities, including forests, swamps, fens, lakes, and streams.
Location and access
Dorothy Lake State Natural Area is located in northern Chippewa County approximately west of Holcombe. Access is via a forest trail off of Deer Fly Trail, approximately south of County Highway M.
Description
The namesake of the natural area, Dorothy Lake, is a 5.2 acre soft-water seepage lake, and contains a large, diverse assemblage of invertebrates, as well as three rare plant species. Three smaller, unnamed lakes surround Dorothy Lake, one of which contains a high-quality floating poor fen border. The uplands surrounding the lakes and wetlands contain northern mesic and dry-mesic forests, of primarily white pine, red pine, and red oak. Rare plant species that can be found on the site include Blunt-Lobe Grape Fern, Prickly Hornwort, White Adder's Mouth, Farwell's Water Milfoil, Bog Bluegrass, and Hidden-Fruited Bladderwort.