Near Mazomanie in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Mazomanie Sand Barrens
Water evaporation rate exceeds rainfall, so plants and animals here have interesting ways to conserve water. Grasses have many long roots, and their leaves curl inwards to reduce evaporation in the heat. During the day, lizards and snakes stay under-ground where temperatures may be up to 70 degrees cooler than on the sun-baked surface.
Look around for Wisconsin's only native cactus, prickly pear. The green thorny pads are actually enlarged and flattened stems. Like leaves, they convert sunlight into food, but they also store large quantities of water. Four-inch, yellow flowers bloom only one day each in late June.
The Wisconsin's flood plain is located on the lowest terrace. Its moisture-loving trees have shallow roots which get oxygen during floods but also cause the trees to uproot during windstorms. A few miles north, bald eagles winter where a power plant's warm water keeps the river from icing over. Watch for eagles perching in shore trees or swooping down to catch small fish, their primary food.
Erected 1977 by the Dane County Natural History Marker System.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Natural Features.
Location. 43° 14.816′ N, 89° 43.992′ W. Marker is near Mazomanie, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker is on County Road Y, 0.7 miles west of State Highway 78, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mazomanie WI 53560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Wisconsin Heights Battlefield (approx. half a mile away); Battle of Wisconsin Heights (approx. half a mile away); Culver's (approx. 1.7 miles away); Sauk City (approx. 2 miles away); Free Congregation of Sauk County (approx. 2 miles away); August W. Derleth (approx. 2.3 miles away); In Memory of Rev. Adalbert Inama, O. Praem. (approx. 2.8 miles away); Father Adalbert Inama -- St. Norbert House (approx. 2.8 miles away).
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of markers in the Dane County Natural History Marker System.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 26, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,501 times since then and 16 times this year. Last updated on October 17, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 26, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.