Sylvania Wilderness: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Wilderness area in Michigan, United States}} |
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[[Image:Sylvania 1.jpg|thumb|right|Sylvania Wilderness]] |
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{{Infobox protected area |
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'''Sylvania Wilderness''' is an {{convert|18327|acre|km2|0|sing=on}} area of land located a few miles west of [[Watersmeet]], [[Michigan]]. The area is located entirely within the bounds of the [[Ottawa National Forest]], and is currently being managed as a wilderness area as part of the [[National Wilderness Preservation System]] by the [[U.S. Forest Service]]. Sylvania offers an outstanding opportunity for people who want to camp, fish, hike, canoe, and ski amist the solitude of a wilderness experience. Within its borders lie 34 pristine lakes set against a backdrop of boulder-strewn old-growth forests that contain virgin stands of majestic [[Eastern White Pine]], [[Red Pine]], and [[Eastern Hemlock]]. It represents one of only a handful of such areas left in the [[Midwest]], offering the visitor a "window in time" to the days before the magnificent forests of the [[Upper Midwest]] were felled by lumbermen around the turn of the last century. The visitor will find strict regulations in effect to make sure this wilderness treasure remains the high-quality experience it is today. |
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| name = Sylvania Wilderness |
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| iucn_category = Ib |
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| photo = Pinus strobus Syvania.jpg |
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| photo_caption = Katherine Lake |
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| photo_width = |
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| map = USA |
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| relief = 1 |
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| map_caption = |
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| map_width = |
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| location = [[Gogebic County, Michigan|Gogebic County]], [[Michigan]], United States |
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| nearest_city = [[Wakefield, Michigan]] |
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| coordinates = {{coord|46.216|N|89.298|W|region:US-MI|format=dms|display=inline,title}} |
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| coords_ref = |
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| area = {{convert|18327|acre|ha|abbr=on}} |
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| established = 1987 |
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| visitation_num = |
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| visitation_year = |
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| governing_body = [[United States Forest Service|U.S. Forest Service]] |
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| world_heritage_site = |
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| url = http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/recreation/wilderness/ |
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}} |
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'''Sylvania Wilderness''' is an {{convert|18327|acre|ha|abbr=on}} protected area located a few miles west of [[Watersmeet Township]], [[Michigan]]. Sylvania is located entirely within the bounds of the [[Ottawa National Forest]], and is currently being managed as a wilderness area as part of the [[National Wilderness Preservation System]] by the [[U.S. Forest Service]]. |
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Within its borders lie 34 lakes set against a backdrop of [[old-growth forest]]s. It represents one of only a handful of such areas left in the [[Midwest]]. |
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== History == |
== History == |
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[[Image:Michigan's Loon Lake.jpg|thumb|right|[[Loon Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|Loon Lake]]]] |
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| ⚫ | Little is known of the area prior to the late 1800s, other than the area was frequently used by clans of [[ |
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| ⚫ | Little is known of the area prior to the late 1800s, other than the area was frequently used by clans of [[Ojibwe]] Native Americans, as evidenced by the few scattered artifacts that have been found there. In 1895, a Wisconsin lumberman by the name of A.D. Johnston purchased {{convert|80|acre|ha}} of land at the south end of Clark Lake with the intent to cut the large pines located there. Upon seeing the land for himself, he was so taken by the rugged beauty of it that he changed his mind and decided to preserve it. He soon invited friends, many of whom were equally impressed and so moved to purchase adjacent lands, and after some time the [[Sylvania Club]] was formed, with fishing, hunting, and hiking being the main focus. The owners built lodges and cabins on the larger lakes, and the area became an exclusive resort for a small number of affluent and influential guests. Ownership changed hands over the years, and finally the entire area was purchased by the United States Forest Service in 1967, which promptly removed all buildings and began managing it as a special recreation area. In 1987, it was designated as a federal wilderness when the [[Michigan Wilderness Act]] was passed by Congress and signed into law by [[Ronald Reagan]]. |
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== Sylvania Facts == |
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| ⚫ | Sylvania straddles the divide between the Lake Superior and the Mississippi River drainage systems, occupying some of the highest ground in the [[Midwest]]. As an example, many of the lakes in the park are more than {{convert|1700|ft|m|-1}} |
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== Geography == |
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| ⚫ | Sylvania straddles the divide between the Lake Superior and the Mississippi River drainage systems, occupying some of the highest ground in the [[Midwest]]. As an example, many of the lakes in the park are more than {{convert|1700|ft|m|-1}} above sea-level. Due to this apex position, these deep, clear lakes are primarily landlocked, fed by springs and local run-off. There are no surface streams entering the park, which is one of the reasons the lakes remain pristine and pure. For this same reason, the lakes are a bit "fragile" (low flush rates, low nutrient loads, etc.). Special fishing regulations on these lakes, including catch and release for all bass, have helped to preserve the lakes' fisheries. The Sylvania Wilderness also features {{convert|25|mi|km}} of hiking trails and portages within its {{convert|30|sqmi|km2}}. Soils are mostly classic [[podzol]] sandy [[loam]] or loamy sand developed on [[glacial till]] or [[outwash plain|outwash]]. Among the most common series are Gogebic, Karlin and Keeweenaw. |
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There are 50 designated campsites in 29 locations throughout the wilderness, each with rudimentary amenities such as outdoor toilets, tent pads, pack racks (for keeping foodstuffs out of reach of wildlife), and fire-grills. |
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== Flora and fauna == |
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The old-growth [[northern hardwood forest]]s in this wilderness are some of the most extensive in North America, nearly spanning the entire park at some {{convert|15000|acre|ha}}. [[Sugar maple]], [[eastern hemlock]], and [[yellow birch]] are the most common trees, and are found along with [[eastern white pine|white]], [[red pine|red]], and [[jack pine]], [[white spruce]], [[balsam fir]], and [[paper birch]].<ref name = "OldGrowthEastUS">{{cite web |url=http://www.primalnature.org/ogeast/survey.html |title=Old Growth in the East: A Survey |author=Mary Byrd Davis |date= 23 January 2008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217114843/http://www.primalnature.org/ogeast/survey.html |archivedate=17 February 2012 |accessdate=27 August 2013}}</ref> |
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Wildlife abounds in the park, with [[white-tailed deer]], [[American black bear|black bear]], [[grey wolf|grey wolves]], [[porcupine]]s, [[bobcat]], [[beaver]], [[otter]], [[coyote]], [[fox]], [[bald eagle]], [[loon]], [[osprey]], and many others. |
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*[[Florence Lake (Michigan)]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Big Bateau Lake (Michigan)|Big Bateau Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Clark Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|Clark Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Clear Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|Clear Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Crooked Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|Crooked Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Deer Island Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Devils Head Lake (Michigan)|Devils Head Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Dream Lake (Michigan)|Dream Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[East Bear Lake (Michigan)|East Bear Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Fisher Lake (Michigan)|Fisher Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Florence Lake (Michigan)|Florence Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Glimmerglass Lake (Michigan)|Glimmerglass Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Helen Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|Helen Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[High Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|High Lake]] |
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*[[ |
*[[Indian Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|Indian Lake]] |
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*[[Whitefish Lake (Gogebic County, Michigan)|Whitefish Lake]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ottawa/recarea/?recid=12331 Sylvania Wilderness and Recreation Area, Ottawa National Forest] U.S. Forest Service |
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*[http://www.kayakguide.com/Sylvania.htm KayakGuide.com] |
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*[http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/ |
*[http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa/images/maps/sylvania_tearoff.pdf Map of Sylvania Wilderness, Ottawa National Forest] U.S. Forest Service |
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*[http://www.smallmouth.org/SylvaniaWilderness.html Smallmouth.org] |
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{{Protected areas of Michigan}} |
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*[http://www.SylvaniaOutfitters.com Sylvania Outfitters] |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Protected areas of Gogebic County, Michigan]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Wilderness areas of Michigan]] |
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[[Category:Ottawa National Forest]] |
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[[Category:Old-growth forests]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:05, 28 August 2024
| Sylvania Wilderness | |
|---|---|
 Katherine Lake | |
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| Location | Gogebic County, Michigan, United States |
| Nearest city | Wakefield, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 46°12′58″N 89°17′53″W / 46.216°N 89.298°W |
| Area | 18,327 acres (7,417 ha) |
| Established | 1987 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| www | |
Sylvania Wilderness is an 18,327 acres (7,417 ha) protected area located a few miles west of Watersmeet Township, Michigan. Sylvania is located entirely within the bounds of the Ottawa National Forest, and is currently being managed as a wilderness area as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System by the U.S. Forest Service.
Within its borders lie 34 lakes set against a backdrop of old-growth forests. It represents one of only a handful of such areas left in the Midwest.
History
[edit]
Little is known of the area prior to the late 1800s, other than the area was frequently used by clans of Ojibwe Native Americans, as evidenced by the few scattered artifacts that have been found there. In 1895, a Wisconsin lumberman by the name of A.D. Johnston purchased 80 acres (32 ha) of land at the south end of Clark Lake with the intent to cut the large pines located there. Upon seeing the land for himself, he was so taken by the rugged beauty of it that he changed his mind and decided to preserve it. He soon invited friends, many of whom were equally impressed and so moved to purchase adjacent lands, and after some time the Sylvania Club was formed, with fishing, hunting, and hiking being the main focus. The owners built lodges and cabins on the larger lakes, and the area became an exclusive resort for a small number of affluent and influential guests. Ownership changed hands over the years, and finally the entire area was purchased by the United States Forest Service in 1967, which promptly removed all buildings and began managing it as a special recreation area. In 1987, it was designated as a federal wilderness when the Michigan Wilderness Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by Ronald Reagan.
Geography
[edit]Sylvania straddles the divide between the Lake Superior and the Mississippi River drainage systems, occupying some of the highest ground in the Midwest. As an example, many of the lakes in the park are more than 1,700 feet (520 m) above sea-level. Due to this apex position, these deep, clear lakes are primarily landlocked, fed by springs and local run-off. There are no surface streams entering the park, which is one of the reasons the lakes remain pristine and pure. For this same reason, the lakes are a bit "fragile" (low flush rates, low nutrient loads, etc.). Special fishing regulations on these lakes, including catch and release for all bass, have helped to preserve the lakes' fisheries. The Sylvania Wilderness also features 25 miles (40 km) of hiking trails and portages within its 30 square miles (78 km2). Soils are mostly classic podzol sandy loam or loamy sand developed on glacial till or outwash. Among the most common series are Gogebic, Karlin and Keeweenaw.
There are 50 designated campsites in 29 locations throughout the wilderness, each with rudimentary amenities such as outdoor toilets, tent pads, pack racks (for keeping foodstuffs out of reach of wildlife), and fire-grills.
Flora and fauna
[edit]The old-growth northern hardwood forests in this wilderness are some of the most extensive in North America, nearly spanning the entire park at some 15,000 acres (6,100 ha). Sugar maple, eastern hemlock, and yellow birch are the most common trees, and are found along with white, red, and jack pine, white spruce, balsam fir, and paper birch.[1]
Wildlife abounds in the park, with white-tailed deer, black bear, grey wolves, porcupines, bobcat, beaver, otter, coyote, fox, bald eagle, loon, osprey, and many others.
List of major lakes in Sylvania
[edit]- Big Bateau Lake
- Clark Lake
- Clear Lake
- Crooked Lake
- Deer Island Lake
- Devils Head Lake
- Dream Lake
- East Bear Lake
- Fisher Lake
- Florence Lake
- Glimmerglass Lake
- Helen Lake
- High Lake
- Indian Lake
- Katherine Lake
- Little Duck Lake
- Long Lake
- Loon Lake
- Marsh Lake
- Moss Lake
- Mountain Lake
- Snap Jack Lake
- West Bear Lake
- Whitefish Lake
References
[edit]- ^ Mary Byrd Davis (23 January 2008). "Old Growth in the East: A Survey". Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 27 August 2013.
External links
[edit]- Sylvania Wilderness and Recreation Area, Ottawa National Forest U.S. Forest Service
- Map of Sylvania Wilderness, Ottawa National Forest U.S. Forest Service
