MDC

Mud Creek

Mud Creek Natural Area Map

Mud Creek was designated a natural area because of three exceptional, undisturbed examples of bottomland forest: mesic bottomland forest (moderately moist soils), wet-mesic bottomland forest (seasonally wet soils), and wet bottomland forest (wet soil throughout the year). This is one of the larger high-quality bottomland forests in Missouri. At Mud Creek these community types, together with the upland forest communities within the boundaries of the natural area, form a transition zone from the dry oak-hickory forest of the Ozarks to the wet, marshy forests occurring in the floodplain of the Mississippi Lowlands. The transition is especially apparent if you explore the entire natural area. You will travel a relatively short distance from the dry upland and dry-mesic chert forest communities on the ridgetops above the creek to the swales of the wet bottomland forest near the mouth of Mud Creek. (Chert is the flint-like rock remaining in the soil after the limestone bedrock has broken down. Swales are dips in otherwise very flat soils.) Mud Creek itself, a widely meandering, slow moving creek with a mud and rock base, plays an important role in this extraordinary transition of plant communities. More than 300 species of plants, including 17 species of oak, contribute to the incredible diversity of this natural area.

Dry Upland Forest

On the ridgetops and the more exposed upper slopes above Mud Creek, a typical upland Ozark forest occurs with post oak, black oak, and black hickory dominant in the canopy. In the understory you will see oaks, hickories, winged elm, sassafras, and highbush blueberry.

Dry-Mesic Chert Forest

As you begin your descent to the creek, the transition begins. White oak, black oak, scarlet oak, mockernut hickory and black hickory are the dominant canopy trees on the slopes. In the spring, redbud and flowering dogwood sprinkle the forest with pink and white. Sassafras and winged elm are also found in the understory. White ash, wild hydrangea and sugar maple occur lower on the slopes.

Mesic Bottomland Forest

In the upper reaches of Mud Creek, the mesic bottomland forest has a canopy composed predominantly of northern red and white oak, bitternut hickory, green ash, sugar maple, and sycamore. The transition continues as other trees, more typically found in the lowlands of the Bootheel, begin to appear: southern red oak, overcup oak, Shumard's oak, swamp chestnut oak, Nuttall's oak, sweetgum, and tulip poplar. The comparatively open understory reveals an abundant spring ground flora. You can find wild ginger, black cohosh, and black snakeroot, all species common in Ozark bottoms, but lady fern, silvery spleenwort, and sedges, more commonly found in the Mississippi Lowlands, also occur.

Wet-Mesic Bottomland Forest

As you travel downstream at Mud Creek, the transition continues from the mesic bottomland forest into the more level wet-mesic bottomland forest community. Dominant tree species in the bottoms include swamp chestnut oak, pin oak, southern red oak, and sweetgum in the canopy; blue beech and deciduous holly dominate the understory. Poison ivy is plentiful here as well as sedges and grasses.

Wet Bottomland Forest

A wet bottomland forest occupies the lowest elevation around Mud Creek. The landscape here closely resembles the lowlands of the Bootheel. River birch dominates the canopy, with silver maple and sweetgum on higher ground. Huge, buttressed bald cypress occur in lower areas along the creek, with their knobby knees breaking the surface of the black water. Many of these trees are found in a peculiar slough-like area in the center of this community. Thick stands of false nettle, spotted touch-me-not, clearweed, and smartweed dominate the ground vegetation. Near the eastern border of the Mud Creek natural area the stream widens and becomes braided, completing the transition. Here in the swamp-like setting, large bald cypress trees and buttonbush can be found.

Special Regulations

Collection of plants or animals, and vehicular traffic are prohibited. Enjoy all other recreational activities normally allowed on the National Forest. Visits are not suggested in mid-summer due to large mosquito populations present during this season

Wildlife at Mud Creek

For many animals, the undisturbed bottomland habitat of Mud Creek is a sanctuary, providing food, cover, and breeding grounds. Look and listen for the prothonotary warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, pileated woodpecker, barred owl, or belted kingfisher. Watch for family groups of mink along the creek from spring until August. You may find a green treefrog hiding among the thickets in the bottoms. Leaf litter under bald cypress trees is a favorite foraging place of the rare mole salamander. Some snakes find suitable habitat here, including the western cottonmouth, and the diamondback water snake, which captures small fish by using its body to corral them first.

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 area. For more information on a particular site, check ownership and contact the Forest Service District Ranger office of the Department of Conservation Wildlife District Supervisor in the town listed.

• Bradyville, MDC, Dexter, MO
• Otter Slough, MDC, Dexter, MO
• Allred Lake, MDC, Dexter, MO
• Poplar Bluff Bottomland Hardwoods, MDC, Poplar Bluff, MO

A 1,038-acre area within the Mark Twain National Forest located 10 miles northeast of Poplar Bluff in Sections 22, 23, 26, 27 and 28, T26N, R7E, Rombauer and Wappapello 7.5 min. topographic maps. Access is by foot from the north across adjacent U.S. Forest Service land. Designated June 20, 1988.

Natural Features

Mesic, wet-mesic, and wet bottomland forest communities in the Lower Ozarks Section of the Ozark Natural Division. This tract represents a cross-section from the dry Ozarkian oak-hickory forest to wet, swampy floodplain forests of the Bootheel. Three unusual plants, Nuttall's oak, Halberd-leaved tear thumb and purple fringeless orchid are on the area. For further information and a brochure of the site contact the District Ranger, Poplar Bluff Ranger District, P. O. Box 988, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901, phone 573/785-1475.

For Further Information, Contact:

• Forest Supervisor 401 Fairgrounds Road Rolla, MO 65401 314/374-4621 TTY
• Poplar Bluff Ranger District P.O. Box 988 Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 314/785-1475 TTY

Map: 

Mud Creek Natural Area Map