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Land Resources of the Grant-Platte Basin
The Grant-Platte Basin exhibits characteristics of two ecological landscapes: the Southwest Savanna and the Western Coulees and Ridges regions. The Southwest Savanna is characterized by ridges and valleys, shallow soil, and high gradient streams. The Western Coulees and Ridges region of the basin lies mostly along the Mississippi River and is characterized by highly eroded driftless topography, relatively extensive forested landscape, and big rivers with wide river valleys. Talus slopes can be found along the bluffs of the Mississippi River.
The soils in the area are wind blown loess over limestone and/or sandstone. Soil depth is variable, from very shallow (<6") to moderately deep (>60"). Tama, Ashdale, Downs, and Muscatine soils are generally found on the ridge tops. Palsgrove, Dubuque, and Fayette soils association is the predominant one of the hillsides and valleys.
There are three State Natural Areas in the basin: Ipswitch Prairie, Hardscrabble Natural Area, and Dewey Heights Prairie. These can give us a small glimpse of what this part of Wisconsin might have looked like before European settlement. Ipswitch Prairie is the only remaining remnant of the deep soil mesic prairie which was prevalent in southwestern Wisconsin 180 years ago. Dewey Prairie is a large dry lime prairie on the bluffs above the Mississippi River.
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