Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Avon Bottoms (No. 36)

Overview

Location

Within Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area, Rock County. T1N-R10E, Sections 21, 27, 28. 168 acres.

Access

From the intersection of County Highway K and Beloit-Newark Road in Newark, go west on Beloit-Newark Road 4 miles, then south on Nelson Road 1.6 miles to a parking area east of the road and south of the Sugar River. The natural area lies north of the river and west of Nelson Road.

Description

Description

Avon Bottoms features a lowland hardwood forest in the floodplain of the meandering Sugar River. Large silver maples, swamp white oaks, and green ash dominate the diverse canopy of this wet-mesic forest. Other tree species are shagbark hickory, hackberry, cottonwood, bitternut hickory, bur oak, American elm, and basswood. Sycamores, at the northern limit of their range, are occasionally present and black willows are common along the river. The forest contains a rich herbaceous and shrub layer with many southern-ranging species found at their northern range limit here. Common shrubs are buttonbush and dogwoods and poison ivy is abundant in two forms –shrub and climbing vine. Other common lianas include wild cucumber, river grape, woodbine, and common moonseed. The composition of the understory differs from other Wisconsin floodplain forests due to the presence of rare southern-ranging species including wild chervil (Chaerophyllum procumbens), and obovate beak grain (Diarrhena obovata). There are a number of oxbows – temporary pond areas made by the cut-off of old stream meanders – along with running sloughs and potholes, which all harbor unusual reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Bird life is diverse with blue-gray gnatcatchers, tufted titmice, blue and green winged teal, and wood ducks. Rare species include yellow-throated (Dendroica dominica), cerulean (Dendroica cerulea), and prothonotary warblers (Protonotaria citrea), yellow-breasted chat (Icteria virens), yellow-crowned night heron (Nycticorax violaceous), blanchard’s cricket frog (Acris crepitans blanchardi), riverine clubtail (Stylurus amnicola) and russet-tipped clubtail dragonfly (S. plagiatus). Avon Bottoms is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1958.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 55 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 142 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a floodplain forest reserve, an aquatic reserve, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest and oxbow lakes. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native floodplain forests.

Management Approach

The native species are managed passively, which allows nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the site. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress fires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event is not considered compatible with management objectives.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Roadside easement area may be managed sporadically by township.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)