North Otter Creek

North Otter Creek features a fairly extensive hemlock hardwood forest dominated by large sugar maple and eastern hemlock with basswood, and yellow birch. Situated in hummocky topography, these stands form the bulk of the upland acreage of the complex. Lower areas along stream segments are often forested with hemlock and northern white cedar. Lowland community types include an area of old-growth white cedar in the northeast corner of the complex. Tiny spring holes feed a small creek which flows through this stand. Other lowland community types include sedge meadow, shrub-carr, alder thicket, and black spruce-tamarack swamp. The riparian areas along the stream corridor are very diverse. One of the most interesting areas contains springs that originate in the uplands and that feed small spring ponds which in turn feed a small creek which then flows north into North Otter Creek. The opening along the stream corridor originated from beaver activity and now is an interesting mix of sedge meadow, alder thicket, and shrub-carr. This diverse complex supports numerous rare plants and animals. North Otter Creek is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.