Holthe Prairie SNA
 |
148 Acres Located from Windom 4.5 miles SE on US Hwy 71, then S on gravel road (becomes Co Rd 19) for 4.5 miles, then W .75 mile on minimum maintenance road. Park at the end of the road. Jackson County Twp 103N Rng 35W Sec 5 & 8 Type: Prairie Grasslands ECS Subsection: Coteau Moraines |
Description:
Holthe Prairie SNA has the largest known calcareous seepage fen in the
Des Moines River Valley, along with a hill prairie from which over 60 species of
native forbs have been documented?one, a state-threatened species. The
five-acre fen-meadow-shrub swamp complex has produced active upwellings 10
feet in diameter where groundwater seeps to the surface, forming an
ever-thickening layer of peat. This calcareous community is dominated by
sedges, with frequent grass of Parnassus and marsh arrow grass. Cotton grass,
Riddell's goldenrod, swamp lousewort, and swamp milkweed are also worthy
finds. Hill prairies on the north and northeast facing slopes have been grazed, yet
retain such mesic natives as big bluestem, little bluestem, Indian grass, and Junegrass. Steeper
slopes, dry and gravelly, support porcupine grass, grama, plains muhly and prairie dropseed. A
small population of the federally threatened prairie bush clover is also found at the site. The
combination of native fen indicator species, tall and dry prairie grasses, and many wildflowers make
a summer visit to this unusual site an interesting and colorful expedition.
Bird List 
