Beaver Lodge and Pond

Beavers began building a dam and lodge on this small stream in 2009. For a few years they occupied the site but in 2013 abandoned it and moved a short distance downstream. The dam is still functioning since the beavers continue to repair it and dig channels from the stream to a patch of sapling aspen and beaked hazel nearby. The lodge is slowly sinking back into the stream but while that is happening some plants have found it to be a good place to grow. Among them are Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata).

The stream begins about 6 miles to the north in a large raised peat bog. It meanders through sedge meadows, willow swamps, and black ash swamps before reaching the beaver lodge. It continues meandering for a few more miles but the slope of the land becomes steeper where another small stream joins it increasing the amount of water and its velocity. For the rest of its course it flows quickly over a rocky substrate eventually merging with other rivers that continue on to the Mississippi River.