Mississippi Headwaters State Forest

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Mississippi Headwaters State Forest
USA Minnesota location map.svg
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Geography
Location Beltrami, Clearwater, and Hubbard counties, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates 47°26′16″N95°03′30″W / 47.4377313°N 95.0583429°W / 47.4377313; -95.0583429 Coordinates: 47°26′16″N95°03′30″W / 47.4377313°N 95.0583429°W / 47.4377313; -95.0583429 [1]
Elevation1,358 feet (414 m)
Area45,290 acres (18,330 ha)
Administration
Established1935
Governing bodyCounties, Minnesota DNR
Website www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00034/index.html
Ecology
WWF Classification Western Great Lakes Forests
EPA Classification Northern Lakes and Forests

The Mississippi Headwaters State Forest is a state forest located near the town of Wilton in Beltrami County, Minnesota. Portions of the forest extend into the neighboring counties of Clearwater and Hubbard. The majority of the forest is managed by the respective counties, with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources managing around 9,000 acres (3,600 ha). The forest is named after its location immediately downstream (north) of Lake Itasca, the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Contents

The topography of the region, such as hills and flat outwash plains, are a result of the Wisconsinan glaciation. The sandy soil of the moraines are dominated by Eastern White Pine, Red Pine, oaks, maples, birch, and aspen; Black Spruce, Northern Whitecedar, and Tamarack are also present on the wet peat-like soils of the forest.

Popular outdoor recreational activities available revolve around the river and the 95 lakes and ponds within the forest, and include boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Trails are designated for hunting and dispersed camping. Trails are designated for hiking, mountain biking, and snowmobiling in the wintertime. [2]

See also

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The George Washington State Forest is a state forest located in Itasca, Koochiching, and Saint Louis counties, Minnesota. The forest was established and named after George Washington in 1931, the first President of the United States, to commemorate the bicentennial of his birth. The forest borders the Chippewa National Forest and completely environs the Scenic State Park to the west, and borders the Sturgeon River State Forest and McCarthy Beach State Park to the east. The Taconite State Trail passes through the forest.

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The Land o' Lakes State Forest is a state forest located primarily in Cass, Minnesota, with portions extending into adjacent Aitkin and Crow Wing counties. The forest has small shared borders with the Chippewa National Forest to the north, and the Hill River State Forest to east. Over half of the forest's land is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the remaining land is managed by Cass County or is privately held.

The Lyons State Forest is a state forest located near the city of Staples in Wadena County, Minnesota. The forest is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The Nemadji State Forest is a state forest located primarily in Pine County, Minnesota. A small portion of the forest extends into neighboring Carlton County. The eastern perimeter of the forest borders the state of Wisconsin. It is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Gray wolves, white-tailed deer, and eagles are present in the forest.

The Paul Bunyan State Forest is a state forest located in Hubbard and Cass counties in Minnesota. The forest borders the Chippewa National Forest and the Welsh Lake State Forest to the east, and the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest to the northwest. The forest is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the land department for Hubbard County.

The Pine Island State Forest is a Minnesota state forest located primarily in Koochiching County, although there are portions that extend into Beltrami, Lake of the Woods, and Itasca counties. The forest borders the Koochiching State Forest to the east, the Red Lake State Forest to the west, and Big Fork State Forest and Chippewa National Forest to the south. At an area of 878,040 acres (355,330 ha), it is the largest state forest in Minnesota.

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References

  1. "Mississippi Headwaters State Forest". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey.
  2. "Mississippi Headwaters State Forest". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2010-10-27.