Nancy Lake State Recreation Area

Plant Life
Vegetation within the recreation area is dominated on drier sites by white spruce and paper birch, with some aspen interspersed. Wetter forests support stands of the smaller black spruce. Wetter still are the low brush bogs and muskeg swamps, sometimes highlighted by cotton grass plumes.

Large parts of the area have been burned by fore st fires in the past 100 years, resulting in thick stands of birch, which precede the older forests of white spruce. Wildflowers abound, from the earliest violets and bluebells, through the last flower on the tip of the tall fireweed. Water-loving plants, such as bog rosemary and wild iris, are found in wet areas throughout the park. Water lilies decorate many of the lake surfaces.

Beginning in late July, the first wild berries begin to ripen. Currants, highbush and lowbush cranberries, and blueberries frequently provide a bountiful harvest. Varieties of raspberry, crowberry and other berries can also be found. Pickers should learn to identify baneberry, which looks edible, but is very poisonous.

In recent years, spruce bark beetles have moved into the recreation area and the effects of the beetle larvae feeding under the bark can be seen. The dying white spruce can be identified by the bore holes on the tree trunk. After a few years, the infested trees will die. Dead trees will stand until wind, snow load, or decomposition topples them to the forest floor.

Wildlife
The recreation area’s combination of lakes, wetlands, and forests create an ideal habitat for many mammals and birds. Perhaps most noticeable to the summer visitor are water dwellers, especially beaver and waterfowl. Beavers are active in lakes and ponds throughout the park and visitors can see evidence of their work. These animals are vital to maintaining crucial water levels in the ecosystem; their dams and lodges must not be disturbed.

One of the real delights of canoeing in the recreation area is to be closely approached by a curious common loon. These black-headed master divers with their eerie laughing call are one of the trademarks of the area. Their smaller, grey-headed relative, the Pacific loon, is sometimes seen. Loons sitting on the shore should always be given a wide berth. They come ashore only to nest and will often desert their nests when disturbed.

Arctic terns are summer residents, returning to nest in the wetlands after wintering some 12,000 miles away in the Antarctic. Unlike the loons, these birds are graceful fliers as well as tenacious nest defenders. The canoer or hiker unlucky enough to stumble into a nest site is likely to be repeatedly dive-bombed by screeching terns.

Moose are the most common large mammal in the park although their numbers are dependent on an adequate food supply. They prefer brushy areas or shallow ponds with tender aquatic plants, as browse in mature forests is beyond even their reach.

Black bears are common throughout the park but Grizzly/brown bears are occasionally sighted. Adverse encounters with bears are unlikely if proper precautions are taken. Sighting a bear in its natural environment is one of the thrills of the back country. Please report any sightings to the park rangers.

For a copy of the winter and summer brochures on Nancy Lake SRA, contact the DNR Public Information Center at dnr.pic@alaska.gov

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