Boot Lake SNA

660 Acres Located from MN Hwy 65 in Bethel: go 6.5 miles E on Co Hwy 22, then E for 1.5 miles on Co Rd 17 and N on Jodrell Rd. Park on E side of road. Anoka County Twp 33N Rng 22W Sec 17 Type: Deciduous Woods ECS Subsection: Anoka Sand Plain

Description:

Boot Lake SNA is part of a chain of ice-block lakes within a tunnel valley system, which was formed by enormous hydraulic pressure and erosion by subglacial rivers. The site contains a continuum of plant community types including oak forest, aspen-shrub thickets, and prominent old white pine stands; the wetland contains wooded bog, wet meadows, floating mats, emergent aquatic plants, duckweed, and algal communities. The rare plant species, water willow, sea-beach needle grass, and long-bearded hawkweed are present on the site, along with occasional sandhill cranes and Blanding's turtles. Red-shouldered hawks, pine warblers, Louisiana waterthrush and a number of other bird species nest on the site. Woodland wildflowers make a late spring visit memorable. The high deer population has prompted a long-term research project on the effect of deer in forest succession. Deer exclosures on the site are part of the study. No watercraft are permitted on the lake.

Bird List

Plant List

Visitor notes:

Visitation to the posted sanctuary portion of this SNA by research permit only. Apply through the Minnesota SNA Program at (651) 259-5088.