Fish Lake Bog Research Natural Area (RNA) lies on the west end of Fish Lake, which is located on the east slope of the Washington Cascade Range. This RNA fulfills the need for an eastern Cascade marshland-bog, a low elevation wetland, and surrounding upland forest communities. It provides habitat for the federally threatened bald eagle, special status animals and plants, and numerous other animal and plant species. Fish Lake Bog RNA was selected to represent a low elevation freshwater wetland ecosystem and low elevation sphagnum bog in the Eastern Cascade Province. Establishment of the RNA will protect habitat used by the bald eagle. The bog currently supports Carex buxbaumii (Buxbaum's sedge), Carex comosa (bristly sedge)and Cicuta bulbifera (bulb-bearing waterhemlock), all of which are listed as sensitive by the Regional Forester. Preservation of the bog habitat will maintain suitable habitat for these species. The mesic, upland forest portion of the RNA supports Orobanche pinorum (pine broomrape), which is also listed as sensitive by the Regional Forester.

Township/Range/Section:

Parts of secs 16 and 21, T27N, R17E.

Latitude:

47,50N

Longitude:

120,43W

Quad Map:

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Species listed as sensitive which inhabit the area include great blue heron (which have a rookery), osprey, turkey vulture, Bald eagle, common loon, northern goshawk, whiteheaded woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, western bluebird, and fisher. Sensitive plants include: Carex buxbaumii (Buxbaum's sedge), Carex comosa (bristly sedge), Cicuta bulbifera (bulb-bearing waterhemlock), and Orobanche pinorum (pine broomrape).

Exotic Species Present:

Plant Communities:

Wetland communities include: Eriophorum gracile-Carex limosa emergent wetland, Sphagnum-meesia triquetra-carex diandra/moss-lichen wetland, Typha latifolia emergent wetland, Spirea douglasii-cornus stolonifera scrub-shrub wetland, and Alnus rubra forested wetland. Upland communities include: Abies grandis/Acer circinatum, Tsuga heterophylla/Berberis nervosa, and PICO/PSME/ABGR co-dom in early seral stages.

Aquatic Features Present:

A bog and marsh at the west end of Fish Lake.

Soils:

The soils are derived from glacial drift and volcanic ash. Principal soils are classified as Aeric Fluvaquents (very deep, somewhat poorly to poorly drained on flood plains). Other important soils are the Choralmont and Saska series (very deep, well drained soils on mountain sides and terraces) classified as cindery, frigid Typic Vitrandepts, and ashy over loamy-skeletal, mixed, frigid Typic Haplorthods.

Other Physical Features:

Past Disturbance History:

The forest around the bog has been logged at least once and shows evidence of major disturbance in several areas.

Other Comments: