Administration
Stephens State Forest is administered by the Forestry Bureau. Area Forester Jessica Flatt is responsible for administration and management of the area. The forest headquarters is located at North 8th and Mitchell, near the north edge of Chariton, 1 block west of Highway 14. The mailing address is 1111 North 8th Street, Chariton, Iowa 50049. Phone 641/774-4559. Jessica Flatt can be e-mailed at
jessica.flatt@dnr.iowa.gov
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
History
The forest's original and most important function is to serve
as an example of forest management for Iowa's citizens. It was a
base of operations for the Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.)
demonstration plantings of hardwoods and conifers. Over the years,
plantations have continued to be established. Since 1972, commercial
sales of sawtimber and other products have been made. Ongoing cultural
practices improve the forest for production of forest products,
wildlife habitat, erosion control and watershed protection. People
from a wide area use the forest as a place to hunt, fish, camp,
picnic, study nature and enjoy the out-of-doors.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
Geology
The geology of most of Stephens Forest was influenced by
the Nebraskan and Kansan glaciers which left deposits of glacial
till over the area, covering the sedimentary deposits which
had been formed under a vast inland sea. Sometime after these
glaciers had deposited their loads of till over this part of
Iowa, the Wisconsin glacier was melting in northern Iowa. Water
produced by this melting ice found its way into the Missouri
River drainage, causing large mud flats to be formed on the
floodplain. Prevailing westerly winds picked up soil from these
floodplains and carried them across what is now southern Iowa.
This fine, silty material is called loess and is found on
ridge tops overlaying glacial till. On the sides of hills,
erosion has exposed glacial deposited materials. The relatively
narrow valleys are covered by alluvial material carried from
the hills by water. In some instances, erosion has proceeded
far enough in the valley to expose glacial till or underlying
sedimentary material. The terrain then, is characterized by
narrow, flat ridges separated by deeply cut drainages.
The area streams are intermittent or seep fed, slow running
and dry up completely at times. Many dew ponds, small water
holes for fire protection and wildlife, were built by the
C.C.C.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
Climate
Weather has an affect on the activities that can take place
on the forest. There are many days throughout the year when
it is impractical to work out-of-doors. On other days, weather
conditions may affect soil conditions so that planned work must
be delayed.
The average annual temperature in Lucas County is 50.2 degrees.
The average annual precipitation in Lucas County is 31.71 inches.
The average length of the frost free season is 161 days from April
29th to October 7th. Killing frosts have occurred as late as May
25th and as early as September 14th. The months of March, April
and May have the highest sustained wind readings of the year. These
winds can be a hazard to early spring plantings.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
Flora
The flora of the region consists of the tallgrass prairie
association and the oak-hickory and bottomland hardwood timber
types and their transition zones. Since the forest area is located
mainly on soils which have been formed under forest vegetation,
the plants of the prairie are not as common. However, big and
little bluestem, switchgrass, Indian grass, prairie cordgrass
and various prairie forbs such as purple coneflower, round-headed
bush clover, lead plant and other prairie plants do occur on
the area.
On the better upland sites, white oak, red oak and hickory
are common. The oak-hickory timber type, usually found on
the less fertile upland sites consists mostly of black oak,
bur oak, shingle oak and hickory. The bottomland timber type
on the forest includes red and white elm, cottonwood, hackberry,
green ash, silver maple and black walnut.
Many areas have been planted to coniferous trees and some broad-leaved
trees which are not native to the area. These include a variety
of pines as well as Douglas fir, spruce, black locust, Osage orange
and tulip poplar.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
Fauna
The forest is the home of the white tailed deer, which is
abundant on the area and the largest of the fauna. Here also
are fox and gray squirrels, raccoon, cottontail rabbits, woodchuck,
muskrat, skunk, red and gray fox, coyote, beaver, opossum and
other small animals.
Nonpoisonous snakes are common but the two poisonous species,
the rattlesnake and copperhead are very rare.
There is a variety of birds native to the woodland and its borders.
Numerous species of songbirds utilize the extremely varied habitat.
Game birds include pheasant, numerous quail and wild turkey. The
woodcock is a seasonal visitor to the area. The wild turkey stocking
program, begun in 1968, was so successful that the first hunting
season in modern times was held in 1974.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
Origin of Forest Names
The forest is named for Dr. T. C. Stephens,
a native of Sioux City and a prominent educator. The area was
dedicated and named in 1951. It is said that his ashes were
distributed in the vicinity of the dedication sign at the north
entrance of the Lucas Unit.
Prior to 1951, the area was referred to as the Lucas-Monroe
Forest Area. It is referred to as such in a document entitled,
"Work Plan, Lucas-Monroe Forest Area, March 7, 1949", by Louis
A. Strohman, Area Forester. Prior to that, during the CCC days,
the units were referred to loosely as "state forest lands",
although as early as 1939 the units were called by their respective
names. The CCC Camp doing management work and tree planting
was Camp S 104. R. B. Campbell was camp supervisor.
The source of the names of units can be assumed. The Lucas
Unit no doubt takes its name for the nearby town.
The Whitebreast Unit, referred to in the past as the Grand
River State Forest Preserve, possibly after the Grand River
Purchase Unit of the proposed National Forest of which it would
have been a part, probably takes its name from Whitebreast Creek
which flows near its north boundaries.
The Cedar Creek Unit is located near a stream by that name,
but as late as 1946 was called the Olmitz Unit as there was
a coal mine by that name in the vicinity and a town called Olmitz
was located nearby.
There is no indication of how the Chariton Unit came to be
called that. As recently as 1951 it was called the Brown-Herrick
Unit after the people who owned the land prior to purchase by
the state. The name was changed about 1952. Probably the Olmitz
Unit was changed to Cedar Creek at the same time.
Strohman, in his work plan, previously cited, stated that
the 1000 Acres Unit was always known by that designation locally.
Tracts in Appanoose and Davis Counties have been grouped as
an administrative unit and have come to be known as the Unionville
Unit from the town of Unionville in the vicinity.
The Riechelt Unit is named for its donor.
The Woodburn Unit is named for the town of Woodburn, located
to the north. This unit was named in 1997. Previously part of
the Whitebreast Unit, it became large enough through land acquisition,
to merit its own name.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
Management
Stephens State Forest is managed in accordance with the IDNR Forest
Ecosystem Management Guide for several benefits including production
of wood products, wildlife, quality water, recreation, and protection
of plant and animal communities. Forested land is divided into areas
that will be regenerated using even-aged silvicultural systems,
areas that will be regenerated using uneven-aged silvicultural systems
and areas that will receive limited management. Unique areas, such
as prairies, are also maintained.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
Rules
1. Be careful with fire. Do not leave a fire unattended. Fires
are permitted only where fire rings are provided. Only dead and
down wood may be collected for firewood.
2. Motor vehicle operation is permitted only on public roads.
ATVs are not permitted anywhere on the forest, trails, or roads.
Snowmobiles are allowed only on designated routes.
3. Horse riding is allowed only on designated trails, roads, and
campgrounds. Mountain bikes are allowed on designated horse trails.
4. There are no designated swimming locations.
5. Camping is allowed only in designated areas.
Back to Stephens State Forest by Subject
For more information call 641/774-4559 or write Jessica Flatt Stephens
State Forest, 1111 North 8th Street, Chariton, IA 50049. E-mail
Jessica at Jessica.Flatt@dnr.iowa.gov
