Springvale Wet Prairie includes a wet prairie, sedge meadow, and small fen on a site bisected by Duck Creek east of Pardeeville.  There are no great parking options as even the roads here have narrow shoulders and steep ditches on the sides.  Luckily for me, CTH I was closed at the time and so I could park there.  Now, I would probably suggest parking on Welsh Prairie Road on the eastern side of the site, which at least appeared less-travelled.

Springvale Wet Prairie is a nice site that certainly warrants further exploration.  As I was limited by time and by footwear, I did not get to do as much as I would have liked.  A drainage ditch forms much of the boundary between the roads and the wet prairie and this area can be quite wet depending on the season.  The easiest spot to cross was on the north side from CTH I.  Once across, there was little in bloom to observe, save for a few thistles and common species such as rough cinquefoil and greater’s goat’s beard.  Reed canary seemed to have established a strong foothold and left unattended could take over the site.  Hopefully, somem managment has taken place here in the interim.  Hemmed in on the north bank of the creek, my next visit will involve exploring the south bank.

Wet Prairie

Thistle

Wet Prairie

Rough Cinquefoil

Wet Prairie

Wet Prairie

Wet Prairie

Tall Meadow Rue

More of my photos (and full-res) from Springvale Wet Prairie can be viewed here.

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