Snoose Creek

State Natural Area (No. 431)

Location: Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Ashland and Sawyer Counties. T40N-R4W Sections 5, 6, 7, 8. T41N-R4W Sections 32. 1,099 acres.

Access: From the intersection of Highways 70 and GG in Loretta, go north on GG approximately 8 miles, then southwest on FR 172 2.5 miles into the site.

Description: One of the largest sites identified on the Glidden Drumlin Landtype, Snoose Creek features a complex of natural communities located along the East Fork of the Chippewa River. Of note is the presence of drumlin shaped uplands dominated by second growth pole to mature northern hardwoods, with significant inclusions of hemlock dominated forest present throughout the site. These inclusions include residual old growth hemlock and yellow birch located within upland northern hardwood stands and extensive areas of second growth hemlock with super-canopy white pine and upland cedar in transitional areas along swamp margins and woodland ephemeral ponds. The presence of super-canopy white pine as a component in several mesic northern hardwood stands adds to this site’s overall conservation value. Associated communities include large tracts of black spruce-tamarack bog, black ash swamp, and lowland mixed conifer swamps with significant stands of white cedar located within inter-drumlin areas. These wetland communities give rise to two small streams including Snoose Creek, a tributary to the East Fork of the Chippewa River. Snoose Creek originates at Snoose Lake in Ashland County and then flows south into the East Fork of the Chippewa River below Blaisedell Lake. It is a warm water drainage stream having a fish population of minnows with a few small panfish present. The bottom is predominantly muck with unstable sandy stretches. The river itself, which forms the western boundary of this site, includes several class two rapids with numerous Precambrian rock outcrops along this reach. Forested stands dominated by long-lived conifers border most of the river bank along this segment. Other aquatic features include scattered ephemeral ponds with spring peepers, and wood frogs. Most of this site remains undeveloped with very few improved road corridors, thereby providing important extensive forest habitat. Due to aspen pulpwood production and game habitat development, few tracts of this scale remain on this landtype which still retain interior forest conditions. Snoose Creek is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.