Gold Lake Bog RNA

Gold Lake Bog Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent subalpine forests in the volcanic High Cascades of central Oregon. Most of the RNA is topographically flat, except in the northwestern and southeastern corners where the tract includes lower mountain slopes. Three small ponds are located in the bog, and three major streams converge and flow through the tract. Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) dominate along the periphery of the bogs, marshes, and swamps. Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), and western white pine (Pinus monticola) dominate drier upland forests. Long leaved sundew (Drosera longifolia), round leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), mountain bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia), lesser bladderwort (Utricularia minor), and common bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris) are common understory plants.   The RNA is home to one of the largest remaining populations of Oregon Spotted Frogs (Rana pretiosa), and both management and research efforts include focus on maintaining ecological processes favorable to this species.