Saxon Harbor County Park, site recommendations, Iron County, Wisconsin

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

COASTAL ZONE

INFORMATION CENTER

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IRON COUNTY WISCONSIN

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

CHAIRMAN 9ASHLANDCOUNTY - PRICE COUNTY
Charles Tollander Robert Dusenbery Ernest Skotterud
VICE CHAIRMAN BAYFI ELD COUNTY - RUSK COUNTY
R land Kannenberg Wallace Johnson Marvin Hanson
(loft SEC'Y.-TREASURER *BURNETTCOUNTy - SAWYER COUNTY
Marvin Hanson Charles Tallander Chester Boncler
RE MAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR -DOUGLASCOUINTY - TAYLOR COUNTY
Mark J. Mueller Donald Leggate Edwin Ahlers
in IRON COUNTY * WASHBURN COUNTY
MIS09 Roland Kannenberg Edward Elliott
INDIAN RESERVATIONS
Walter Sherman
n economic development distr

November 27, 1979

Mr. Italo Bensoni
Iron County Board Chairman
Iron County Courthouse
Hurley, WI 54534

Dear Mr. Bensoni:

We are pleased to present the Cedar Road and Saxon Harbor plans to
Iron county.

These plans will help-provide a guide for future management and
development of both the Cedar Road Corridor and Saxon Harbor County
Park.

We would like to thank Iron County for their assistance in preparing
the recommendations with particular thanks to Herb Kinney and Charles
Nikolai.

Sincerely,

Fred Goold
Landscape Architect

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SAXON HARBOR COUNTY PARK

SITE RECOMMENDATIONS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NOAA
COASTAL SERVICES CENTER
2234 SOUTH HOBSON AVENUE
CHARLESTON, SC 29405-2413

IRON COUNTY, WISCONSIN

SPONSORED BY: WISCONSIN COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND
IRON COUNTY

PREPARED BY: FRED GOOLD, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
NORTHWEST REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
302 WALNUT STREET
SPOONER ,WI 54801

Property of CSC Library

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

II. SITE ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERISTICS . . . . . . . . 3

III. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

IV. ALTERNATE SITE PLANS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

V. RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

FIGURES

Figure Page

1 REGION LOCATION "lAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2. AREA LOCATION MAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

3. SAXON HARBOR TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP . . . . . . . . 5

4. SAXON HARBOR EXISTING C014DITIONS . . . . . . 7

5. SAXON HARBOR ALTERNATIVE 110. 1 . . . . . . . 10

6. SAXON HARBOR - ALTERNATIVE NO. 2 . . . . . . . 12

7. SAXON HARBOR - ALTERNATIVE NO. 3 . . . . . . . 14

8. SAX01N HARBOR - ALTERNATIVE NO. 4 . . . . . . . 16

9. SAXON HARBOR - ALTERNATIVE NO. 5 . . . . . . . 18

INTRODU'CTION

'Saxon Harbor County Park is located in northern Iron County on
Lake Superior (see Figure 1). The park property contains a marina,
campground and picnic area.

The marina and day-use launching facilities receive heavy use during
seasonal "good fishing" periods.

Iron County has indicated a need for future improvements to the Saxon
Harbor Park. These improvements relate not only to the marina and
boat use facilities but also to day-use and over-night activities.
Development of the Flambeau Trail and Cedar Road should also be
considered in any future plans for the Saxon Harbor area.

Funded by the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program, a site planning
program examining future expansion recommendations for the park has
been prepared.

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SITE ANALYSIS AND CHARACTERISTIC@
Saxon 'Harbor C@unty Park encompasses approximately 35 acres of
county owned.land in northern Iron County on Lake Superior. It is
the only harbor and shelter area between Black River Harbor in
Michigan and Chequamegon Bay. The only public access to Lake Superior
in Iron County is provided at Saxon Harbor as indicated on Figure 2.

Present public use facilities include 54 boat slips (52 usable), boat
launching ramps, parking areas, a campground, sanitary waste dumping
station, restrooms, and a small shelter. All of these facilities are
maintained by the county.

Climate and weather conditions favorable for recreational activities
normally occur from May through October. Another limitation for
recreation is the water temperature of Lake Superior which rarely
exceeds 650 F. in July or August.

Recreation activities along Lake Superior in Iron County primarily
include fishing, camping, hiking, hunting and-enjoying the natural
scenery.

Saxon Harbor is producing some of the best success rates of recre-
ational fishing along the south shore in Wisconsin, thus increasing
pressure on its facilities. The Harbor is located near the mouth of
Oronto and Parker Creeks. Oronto Creek was diverted to the east of
the harbor to prevent siltation during marina construction. There
are high bluffs surrounding the park as indicated on the topographical
map (Figure 3). The tops of these bluffs provide excellent views of
the lake and harbor, Both Oronto and Parker Creek are subject to
extreme flow variation. Flood crests of five to six feet near their
confluence are not uncommon.

The picnic/camping portion of the park is prone to spring flooding
because of the high flows from Oronto Creek and the poorly drained
clay soils. Parker Creek has a drop of 180 feet/mile from CTH A to
Lake Superior and Oronto Creek drops 51 feet per mile. During the
summer both streams have-extremely low flows, exposing much of the
stream bed and reducing the living space for fish. The principal
fishery value of Oronto Creek is for rainbow trout migration from
Lake Superior fot spring spawning, with spawning success being limited.

At the present time the 52 usable slips at the harbor are full, with
a waiting list at twenty. Support facilities at the harbor include a
fuel dock for servicing one boat at a time, several transient slips,
public restrooms; and marine sanitary waste dumping station (see Figure 4).

Two Boat launching ramps are available for public use, one on the east
side of the harbor and one on the north side.

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The camping/picnic area contains 24 picnic tables. (The campsites'
are not defined as camping and is permitted almost anywhere in the
trees west of CTH A).

Existing trees in the camping area include cottonwood, basswood, maple
and ash.

Several seasonal cabins on the west side of*the harbor compose the
only housing development at the harbor. Serious beach erosion has
forced several cabins and garages to be moved from between the road
and the lake.

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III. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The planning program for the Saxon Harbo; County Park re4uired
identifying planned or needed facilities. This program was in part
identified by the Forestry-Conservation, Parks and Harbors Committee
of the Iron County Board, Herb Kinney, L714 Extension Agent and people
involved with operation and maintenance of the harbor facility.

Included in the program considerations were the following:

1. Enlarge the marina facility and add more rental slips.

2. Add public transient slips and docks.

3. Implement measures to stabilize shore and bank at the
end of CTH A.

4. Redesign camping area and consider expansion; confine
camping to one area.

5. Increase day use/picnic area eSDecially near lake shore.

6. Develop a Trail Point with parking for the Flambeau Trail.

7. Consider sensitivity and cultural significance of poss-
ible trading post site and Indian burial ground when
locating trails, camping, etc.

8. Tie in Cedar Road recommendations with plans for harbor
area.

9. Encourage charter service to further enhance recreation
fishery promotion in Iron County.

10. Regrade existing camping area to help alleviate spring
high water and flooding problems.

11. Consider promotion of breakwater as public fishing pier.

12. Provide for marina support facilities to include: fuel
dock fo@ two boats at once; service building for repairs,
storage, and marina office; and installation of a boat hoist
near service building/ramp area.

13. Develop Short trail loops to scenic vistas on bluffs over-
looking lake and harbor.

14. Develop walk-in wilderness campsites.

IV. ALTERNAT@ SITE PLANS
After'analyzing existing conditions at the park and considering the
recommended facility program, five alternative site plans.were
developed. The five alternatives deal with those issues indicated
in the program requirements.

Final recommendations are based on a combination of ideas presented
in the alternatives.

Alternative 1:

1. Increase number of slips from 54 to 108 by adding slip
area parallel to existing one. CTH A will be slightly
realigned to accommodate new slip area.

2. Reroute road to east parking and grade to elevation
high enough for flood protection from Oronto Creek.

3. Add marina support facilities: service building, hoist,
fuel dock.

4. Enlarge camping area at existing site.

5. Expand day use/picnic area at lake shore.

6. Eliminate existing camping loop south of Oronto Creek.

7. Develop Flambeau Trail--Trail Point.

8. Develop walk-in wilderness camping.

9. Develop overlook on bluff south of Oronto Creek.

10. Develop Cedar Road trail loop.

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Alternative 2:
1 Incr'ease number of slips from 54 to 108 leaving CTH A
as. is.

2. Change east parking and launching entrance to south
of Oronto Creek with new bridge across creek.

3. Add marina support facilities.

4. Enlarge camping area.

5. Develop overlook and Flambeau Trail--Trail Point.

6. Eliminate camping loop south of Oronto Creek.

7. Develop Cedar Road Trail loop.

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Alternative 3:

l.-. Leave number of rental slips at 54.

2. Add 20 @ublic transient slips on east side.

3. Add hoist.

4. Develop additional camping loop east of CTH A.

5. Develop scenic overlook and Flambeau Trail--Trail Point.

6. Construct foot bridge over Oronto Creek to provide access
from Flambeau Trail to harbor area.

7. Expand day use/picnic area at lakeshore.

8. Develop Cedar Road trail loop.

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Alternative 4:

Increase number of slips from 54 to 108 by adding new
slip area east of existing one.

2. Provide marina support facilities on south side of harbor.

3. Develop picnic area between harbor and Oronto Creek.

4. Develop scenic overlook east of Parker Creek in conjunction
with Flambeau Trail.

5. Develop Cedar Road trail loop.

6. Leave camping area as is but identify individaul campsites.

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Alternative 5:

1. Increase number of rental slips 54 t o 108.

2. Add ten public transient slips.

3. Add marina support facilities.
4. Realign CTH A to the west 'a's a park perimeter road.

5. Develop new camping loop adjacent to harbor not to be
separated by CTH A.

6. Add parking adjacent to slip areas.

7. Develop expanded day use/picnic area at lake shore.

8. Develop scenic overlooks and Flambeau Trail--Trail Point.

9. Eliminate camping loop south of Oronto Creek.

10. Develop Cedar Road Trail Loop.

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V. RECOMENDATIONS

The recommendations for improveme@ts to Saxon Harbor*park involve
ideas from all five alternative site plans. They are both immediate
and long range in nature.

Recommendations--Immediate

1. Implemeni measures to stabilize bank and shore at end
of CTH A.

2. Eliminate camping loop south of Oronto Creek.

3. Add public transient slips on east side of existing
harbor.

4. Regrade camping area to help alleviate high water
problems.

5. Identify individual campsites in existing camping area.

6. Develop picnic area along lake shore.

7. Develop scenic overlook with access trail.

8. Maintain open play area on west side of existing camping
area.

9. Install boat hoist.

10. Promote additional charter service.

Recommendations--Long Range

1. Initiate planning for addition of rental slips. Expanded
area should be designed so that existing harbor slips will
not be disturbed during construction.

2. Realign CTH A around existing camping area (Alternative 5).

3. Add marina support facilities (service building and new
fuel doc@).

4. Develop Flambea u Trail and promote as part of Saxon Harbor
Park.

5. Develop Cedar Road Trail loop as per recommendations of
Cedar Road study with trail parallelling lake shore.

_19-

CQNCLUSION

Saxon Harbor Park is an excellent addition to Iron County's recreational
resources. With the implementation of the recommendations in this
study, the harbor facility and park will become even more significant
as a recreation attraction bolstering the county's ecomany.

The emphasis on energy conservation will affect the recreation industry
in both positive and negative ways. Improvements to Saxon Harbor
Park will capitalize on the positive impacts.

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IRON'COUNTY.COMMITTEE ON
FORE9TRY-CONSERVATION, PARKS AND HARBORS,, FORESiRY BUILDXNGS

Lawrence Vanderoorde, Chairman Pence
Thomas Popko, Jr. Vice Chairman of Oma
John Hulan, Hurley
Robert Morzenti, Montreal
Wayne Gray, Mercer
Herb Kinney, U14 Wisconsin Extension
Charles Nikolai, UW Wisconsin Extension

C@'IYLCMD Xo. 23-

3 6668 14106 3240