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Basin Information Physiographically identified as the Northern Highlands, glacial abrasion in the region has left igneous and metamorphic rock, the remains of ancient mountain-building activities, exposed or only thinly concealed by glacial drift and newly formed soils. While many points of resistant bedrock lend a mountainous and irregular character to the landscape, local relief is rarely more than about 200 feet. Partially filled valleys, glacial gouges and moraines pockmark the landscape with thousands of lakes, ponds, swamps, bogs, fens and marshes. Less well suited to most farming and industrial activities, the Headwaters Region supports extensive forestlands. Approximately 70 percent of the land supports forest cover (FERC, 1996); varying from about 85 percent in the northern counties to about 40 percent in the south. Timber and wildlife management are principal land use activities in the region, with both private timber concerns and State and National Forest ownership important to the local economies. The natural vegetation of the region is predominantly classified as Northern Mesic Forest (WDNR). Dominant species are maple, hemlock, yellow birch and the distinctive white birch. Prominent areas of Pine Forest, dominated by white and red pine, are next in importance. Nearly as extensive are the Conifer Swamps, which are composed of northern white cedar, black spruce and tamarack. Much of this latter type also trends toward open sedge fens and true leather leaf bogs. The Pine Barren type is also common on poor, dry soils on granitic outcrops. Jack and sometimes red pine are scattered among stands of prairie grasses. The Headwaters Region is home to over a third of Wisconsin's 15,057 lakes. In fact, Vilas and Oneida Counties have one of the highest concentration of inland freshwater lakes on Earth. Connections between these waters are sometimes concealed by rocky rubble and glacial outwash, or by organic accumulations in the extensive peat lands. More often youthful streams connect water bodies. Such streams, often steeply graded, with coarse, cobbly substrate and frequent waterfalls, support typically high water quality and cold water fisheries.
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This site administered by:William Klase, Basin Educator for Natural Resources An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA requirements. |