Natural Thoughts Touring the Gems of Buchanan County Northwest

Natural Thoughts

Touring the Gems of Buchanan County – Northwest

Dan Cohen, Executive Director

Buchanan County Conservation Board

319-636-2617

7/9/14

The beauty and natural wonders of Buchanan County exist all around us. These natural gems, however, are often hidden from us as we motor down the blacktop. This is the third in a series of articles that serve as a tour of some of the splendid places protected by the Buchanan County Conservation Board for public use and enjoyment. No matter where you live in Buchanan County, you are never more than a 20-minute drive from some natural splendor, protected and managed for everyone to enjoy!
This tour of Buchanan County gems will visit the northwest townships – Fairbank, Hazleton, and Washington Townships.
Fairbank Fen

Just southeast of Fairbank, off Dillon Ave., is Fairbank Fen. A fen is a type of peat wetland which depends on a groundwater source in addition to rainfall. In these more chemically neutral environments, greater plant decomposition occurs leading to a less fibrous, more mineralized material known as muck or peaty muck. The peat is not as well differentiated, and the ground does not quake to the degree found at Rowley Fen. Still, the unique conditions provide habitat for some rare plants and animals. The 40 acres also include areas of shorter grasses and native prairie, providing good year-round habitat for pheasants and other upland birds. A small picnic porch, with a table and grill, is available for public use, and the area is open to public hunting.

Nature Along Otter Creek

Otter Creek enters Buchanan County from the South side of Oelwein, and meanders through Hazleton on its way to the Wapsipinicon Rover Northwest of Independence (near Otterville). Along this route are several places protected for their natural features.

Otter Creek Roadside Park is a rest stop just west of the intersection of highways 150 and 281, just south of Oelwein. The east side of the park contains picnic tables and a short loop walking path. A small pond provides fishing, but in most years greens over during the summer months. The west side features a reconstructed prairie. Some people paddle the creek in a canoe or kayak. However, paddlers should be careful and aware that there likely will be log jams and a need to portage around obstacles. The best access to the creek is on the west side of the park.
Otter Creek enters Otter Creek Wildlife Area on the northwest corner of Hazleton. This is a large wildlife refuge, and is not open to public hunting or trapping. Natural wetlands and a wooded creek corridor are key features of the refuge, and waterfowl, shorebirds, and other wildlife often are seen from the County Road C57 Bridge on the west side of Hazleton. A foot access is located at the dead end of Benton Street in Hazleton.
Nibeck Preserve is located along a tributary creek that flows to Otter Creek. Visitors access the Preserve on North Street, in the northeast part of Hazleton. A trail is maintained through the forest and leads to the creek. In spring, a large area of marsh marigolds blooms in the forested wetland. Hunting and trapping are not permitted.
As Otter Creek exits Otter Creek Wildlife Area, it begins its journey through Buchanan County’s most popular park – Fontana Park.
Fontana Park

Fontana is the headquarters for the Buchanan County Conservation Board, and is located off Highway 150, a mile south of Hazleton, on 125^th St. There are so many natural features, facilities, and opportunities for park enjoyment that they cannot be adequately described in the limited text of this article. A partial list of things to do at Fontana includes: hiking; skiing; bicycling; paddling; fishing; camping; staying in a cabin; using “nature play areas” and playgrounds; picnicking; using (and reserving) picnic shelters and a chapel area; conducting a youth campout; using the nature displays; looking at live animals in the Wildlife Display; attending a youth camp, family program, or adult class; and meeting with park staff or picking up printed information to get your questions answered. Some facilities can be reserved in advanced, and some educational programs require pre-registration.

Ham Marsh

Ham Marsh is a natural gem tucked away in the rural countryside, off Indiana Avenue south of 170^th St., about four miles north of Independence It features a natural palustrine wetland, which were once more common in the prairie pothole region of north central Iowa before tiling and conversion to row crop agriculture. Ham Marsh provides a great stop-over for migrating waterfowl each spring. Sandhill cranes often use the area and adjacent land. An observation blind is located near the wetland for public use. Other natural features include a sedge meadow and reconstructed prairie, and the diversity of habitats provides year-round needs for pheasants, wild turkey, and other wildlife. Hunting and trapping in the posted area associated with the marsh is prohibited, but the rest of the property is open to public hunting.

Wapsie River Access

The Wapsipinicon River Corridor is the main natural feature in Buchanan County. The Wapsie is a natural treasure, and has been recognized as such through its designations as a Protected Waters Area, Bird Conservation Area, and state Water Trail. The river corridor provides the bulk of the county’s wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities.

The Wapsie River Access is located on the north edge of Independence, and provides shallow boat access and wildlife habitat in the wooded wetland forest impacted by the reservoir above the Independence Dam. Over the decades silt has settled from the dammed up, slow-moving water, causing sediment to fill the reservoir. The result is a river access most suitable to canoes, kayaks, and other boats that can navigate in shallow waters. Snowmobiles use the area to access the river in winter. Many people use Wapsie Access for a place to stop for lunch or have a picnic. The area contains a shelter, latrine and picnic area.
Make a point to visit the often-hidden gems of Buchanan County, or simply be aware the next time you drive by and see a Conservation Board arrowhead sign. These places exist for people to enjoy! For more information about Buchanan County’s natural gems, visit www.buchanancountyparks.com. Watch the newspaper for the next installment of Touring the Gems of Buchanan County!

Caption 1: Areas managed by Buchanan County Conservation Board in Westburg and Perry Townships.

Photo caption 2: Participants in a youth hunt at Fairbank Fen.
Photo caption 3: A Great Blue Heron at Otter Creek Wildlife Area.
Photo caption 4: Campers at Fontana Park.

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