Catfish Eddy Terraces State Natural Area

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Located along the east bank of the Black River south of Black River Falls, Catfish Eddy Terraces supports a complex of both terrestrial and aquatic features. Along the river's steep slopes is a northern dry-mesic forest, which has been inaccessible to timber harvest. White and red pines with red oak, white oak, and red maple are the canopy dominants. Overall, the site conditions are generally dry-mesic but numerous springs, spring runs, moist cliffs, and seepages are present along the steep terrace slopes. These features are high in microsite diversity and thus tend to support numerous rare plants and invertebrates. Just to the south is Perry Creek, which flows through a steep-walled gorge of Cambrian sandstone that is geologically unique. This area also harbors a number of rare and uncommon bird species including the Louisiana Waterthrush. Catfish Eddy Terraces is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2010.