Natural Thoughts

Touring the Gems of Buchanan County – West Central

Dan Cohen, Executive Director

Buchanan County Conservation Board

319-636-2617

4/7/14

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 second in a series of articles that will 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 west-central townships – Westburg and Perry Townships.

Crumbacher Wildlife

The largest of the Conservation Board’s public properties is located just a few miles southwest of Independence. Crumbacher Wildlife Area is a diverse area of wetlands and prairies, located along a wooded corridor of Lime Creek. Signs direct visitors to Crumbacher on County Road D22 a mile west of Independence. The signs lead to the east entrance, but parking lots also exist on the north (240th St.) and south (250th St.) sides of the property.

Conservation Board staff mow paths throughout Crumbacher. The paths provide great access to various features of the area, but also serve as burn breaks for 15 separate prairie and savannah management areas. The exact location varies from year to year depending on which areas are planned for burns the following spring. Equestrian use of trails is allowed at Crumbacher.

To get an idea of the variety of nature to be experienced, park at the northwest lot and start walking south. As you begin your walk you will pass a windbreak of pines, cedar, and shrubs on your right and a vast open prairie to your left. The prairie was reconstructed on previous farm land. As you continue walking, you will come to a constructed wetland. This time of year, you are likely to see a variety of waterfowl, wading birds, swallows, muskrats and other wildlife that use the wetland. As you continue through the mid-section of Crumbacher, you will pass some native stands of prairie – vegetation that dates back prior to settlement. Some of this area includes young burr oak trees that are slowly establishing to create a savannah habitat. Lime Creek meanders through the woods on your left. Soon, you will be walking along a long section of pines and hardwood trees that were planted about 25 years ago. The trail spills out into a native prairie area along 250th St. The diversity of habitats at Crumbacher provides opportunities for deer, turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl hunting, and viewing of lots of other wildlife.

Hodges and North Wildlife Area

The Widger Quarry south of Jesup was operated for many years by Basic Materials Corporation. Once the rock was played-out, plans were made to convert the site to a natural area, and donate it to the county. The Conservation Board named the property in honor of two area educators – Hodges and North.

Hodges and North Wildlife Area is located just south of Highway 20, off County Road V62. After taking ownership, Conservation Board staff began the long work of rehabilitating a much altered landscape. Years of quarry operation left behind compacted ground with little to no sub-soils. Gullies needed to be filled and seeded, additional areas of upland habitat were seeded, and invasive plants – especially crown vetch – required a long-term control plan. The result of all this work is one of the best restored upland habitat areas in the County. In addition, there is a quarry pond that contains some fish. This year, the pond received its first-ever stocking of channel catfish.

The Wapsipinicon River – Perry Township

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 for area residents. This is especially true for the river corridor in Perry Township.

Through willing agreements with conservation-minded landowners, much of the Wapsipinicon River Corridor in Perry Township is protected in public trust. Public lands begin with the DNR’s Buckles and Clay Area on the south side of the river near the west county line. Located on County Road V62, on the north side of the river, the County’s Cutshall Area contains woods, wetlands and river access for those wishing to hunt, hike, fish, or begin a float downriver.

As you begin floating the river at Custshall, you will have the Anderson Addition public lands on your south. As you continue downstream you will float along the DNR’s Cutshall property (north side), and then the County’s Mickey Fox Area, which stretches to the west side of Littleton. South of the Littleton Dam is the McGlaughlin Easement public river access. A little further down is the Cortright Wildlife Area.

Cortright Wildlife Area is located along River Road, with signs pointing the way on County Road D16 on the east side of Littleton. Cortright is a diverse area containing about a mile of Wapsipinicon Riverfront, with sandbars and fishing holes. In 2010, a channel was dug to connect a couple of Cortright’s five ponds to the river – providing an enhanced area for fish to spawn and potentially over-winter. Much of the 190 acres are wooded, but an area of restored upland prairie exists on the west side. Cortright is a great place to hike, view wildlife, hunt, fish, and relax.

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! 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: Public natural areas are enjoyed while paddling the Wapsipinicon River through Perry Township.

Photo caption 3: Crumbacher Wildlife Area contains both native and reconstructed prairie, which require management using controlled burns.

Photo caption 4: In 2010, a channel was created to connect ponds to the Wapsipinicon River at Cortright Wildlife Area.