Ice Age National Scientific Reserve

The Ice Age National Scientific Reserve is an affiliated area of the National Park System of the United States comprising nine sites in Wisconsin that preserve geological evidence of glaciation. To protect the scientific and scenic value of the landforms, the U.S. Congress authorized the creation of a cooperative reserve in 1964. The scientific reserve was established in 1971 and today encompasses some 32,500 acres (13,200 ha).[1][2] The landforms are the result of the Wisconsin glaciation during the last glacial period, which lasted from about 110,000 to 10,000 years ago.

Ice Age National Scientific Reserve
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The nine units of the reserve, mostly Wisconsin state parks or other protected areas, are administered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Several units are not yet developed for visitation, having only minimal trails and no interpretive installations. Planning was underway as of 2012 for the future development and management of the Cross Plains unit.[3] Several of the sites are joined by the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, but the reserve is a separate entity.[1] Units of the reserve that charge state park access fees also accept federal passes.[4]

Units
Site Name Location Geologic features Recreation
Campbellsport Drumlins State ParkCampbellsportDrumlinsScenic drive
Chippewa Moraine State Recreation AreaNew AuburnKettle lakes and ponds, stagnant ice terrain, ice-walled lake plainsInterpretive center, camping, and trails
Cross Plains State ParkCross PlainsDriftless Zone topography, glacial lakes, gorgeTrails
Devil's Lake State ParkBarabooLarge kettle lake, terminal moraineInterpretive center, camping, non-motorized boating, trails, swimming, picnicking
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife AreaHoriconExtinct glacial lake, drumlinWildlife viewing, trails
Interstate State ParkSt. Croix FallsDalles of the St. Croix River, glacial potholesInterpretive center, camping, non-motorized boating, trails, swimming, picnicking, fishing
Kettle Moraine State Forest, Northern UnitGlenbeulah and KewaskumKettle Moraine, kames, eskers, kettle lakesInterpretive center, camping, boating, trails, swimming, picnicking
Mill Bluff State ParkCamp DouglasFormer islands and lakebed of Glacial Lake WisconsinCamping, trails, swimming, picnicking
Two Creeks Buried Forest State Natural AreaTwo CreeksExposed stratum with floral remainsUndeveloped

References
  1. "The National Parks: Index 2009–2011" (PDF). National Park Service. 2009. Retrieved 2012-10-31. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. Black, Robert F. (1974). "Geology of Ice Age National Scientific Reserve of Wisconsin". National Park Service Scientific Monograph. 2. National Park Service. Retrieved November 11, 2017. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. Schuler, Pam; Dana White-Quam. "General Management Plan for Ice Age Complex at Cross Plains, WI". National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
  4. "Ice Age National Scientific Reserve". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 2012-10-03. Retrieved 2012-10-31.
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