| Joel Marsh Wildlife Area is a 1,192 acre property
located in Polk County. It consists of flowages, grassland, and upland
forest. Find it 2 miles west of Turtle Lake off Hwy 8. There is access
to the property south off Hwy 8 on 30th Street, where Hwy V goes north.
There is a boat landing at the end of an unimproved gravel road. On the
southwest part of the property, on 115th Avenue, there is a gravel
access road to a parking area and boat launch site.
History of Management
The project began in the early 1980’s with the acquisition of 64 acre
Joel Flowage and cranberry bogs on the northeast part of the property.
The cranberry bogs were active in the 1930’s but have since been
abandoned. A 600 acre flowage was developed in 2000 by placing a dam and
water control structure on the southwest part of the property. Ducks
Unlimited provided the funding and engineering assistance to implement
this project. Joel Marsh provides a good opportunity for wildlife
viewing in the spring as waterfowl migrate through the area. Wildlife
viewing and waterfowl hunting are popular activities in the fall. The
property is also used for hunting upland game, deer, black bear, and
wild turkey, as well as trapping. One of the first nesting pairs of
trumpeter swans in the state nested on Joel Flowage in 1991 and
continued to do so through 2005.
Today, periodic draw downs of the flowage are done to promote
vegetation development for waterfowl habitat.
Recreation Opportunities
The following recreational opportunities exist at Joel Marsh Wildlife
Area: |
