Blair Creek Raised Fen
A fen is a rare natural community where soils are saturated from the upwelling of mineral-rich groundwater, creating spring rivulets and ooze areas. Blair Creek Raised Fen is the only known raised (dome-shaped) deep muck fen in Missouri. A thick deposit of mucky organic soil has swollen above the surrounding flat land. A distinct group of plants, some forming mats or tussocks, occupy this unusual mound.
Deep Muck Fen
A deep muck fen is a bog-like area characterized by 15-40 inches or more of deep mucky soil and pools of standing water. Walking across a deep muck fen can be difficult. They are sometimes called the "quicksand" of the Ozarks. Deep muck fens are dominated by sedges and shrubs, but at Blair Creek Raised Fen the dominant species are umbrella grass, false nettle, orange coneflower, loosestrife, and heart-leafed willow. Other common willows and swamp dogwood trees form a thicket along the edges of the fen where the rare marsh blue violet and spotted touch-me-not can be found.
Wildlife at Blair Creek Raised Fen
When you visit Blair Creek Raised Fen look for birds which are attracted by the abundance of seeds and insects. The common yellowthroat, swamp sparrow, and red-winged blackbird are likely to feed in the area. The fen provides important habitat for crayfish and snapping turtles. Look for the ridged backs of these turtles protruding from the mucky soil at the edge of the pools. If you are especially lucky, you may see a little blue heron in Missouri taking frogs or crayfish for its dinner. It is also possible to spot the tracks of muskrat, raccoon, and beaver.
Special Regulations
Collection of plants and animals and vehicular traffic are prohibited. Enjoy all other recreational activities allowed on the National Forest.
Additional Natural Areas
You may wish to visit nearby natural areas on the same day. Listed below are both Mark Twain National Forest and Missouri Department of Conservation natural areas. For more information on a particular site, check ownership and contact the Forest Service District Ranger office or the Department of Conservation Wildlife District Supervisor in the town listed.
- Grasshopper Hollow, USFS, Salem, MO
- Lily Pond, TNC/MDC, Piedmont, MO
- Johnson's Shut-Ins, Fen, and Dolomite Glade, DNR, Middlebrook, MO
- Blue Spring, MDC, Ellington, MO
Natural Features
The only raised fen known in Missouri. The fen is in Blair Creek Valley at the base of a wooded slope in the Lower Ozarks Section of the Ozark Natural Division. It contains marsh blue violet and glossy-leaf aster, both rare species. Sedges and water-loving shrubs dominate the area.
GPS N end of NA along Ozark Trail. Park along side of road N of NA and access Ozark Trail.
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