Upper Mississippi Bottomlands

“Bottomland hardwood ecosystems are deciduous forested wetlands, made up of different species of of trees which have the ability to survive in areas that are seasonally flooded.” U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Bottomland or floodplain forests are incredibly diverse ecosystems. The Upper Misssissippi Wildlife Refuge’s collection of floodplains includes over 290 species of birds seen, 51 species of mammals, 39 species of freshwater mussels, 11 species of turtles, 11 species of frogs and toads.

Due to their very wet and open-water environments, these places are often hard to experience. Fortunately a state rail-to-trail line on the eastern edge of Pool 7 slices right through an extensive area of Mississippi floodplain for a wonderful bike or hike experience.

Map of Pool 7 with the Great River Trail and surroundings

The Great River State Trail is a 24 mile long trail on an abandoned rail bed with endpoints at LaCrosse WI or Trempealeu National Wildlife Refuge.

The Great River Trail traverses the Black River

Floodplain views along the Trail

One of the predominate bottomland trees, the swamp white oak is seen here growing amongst invasive reed canary grass.

Common elderberry in bloom in mid-June

The skimming bluet - a species of narrow-winged damselfly. (id on my iPhone)

A great crested-flycatcher on top of the dead snag. With the abundance of standing dead trees, these floodplains are home to cavity nesting birds including the colorful Prothonotary Warbler which is only one of two warblers that builds its nest inside of trees.

I saw lots of Baltimore Orioles, Common Grackles and American Robins which surprised me as I didn’t expect to see so many in a swampy environment. The bird song was non-stop. Here is an example: