Brunet Island State Park
Brunet Island State Park | |
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Location | Chippewa, Wisconsin, United States |
Coordinates | 45°10′45″N 91°9′59″W / 45.17917°N 91.16639°W |
Area | 1,225 acres (4.96 km2) |
Established | 1936 |
Governing body | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Website | Brunet Island State Park |
Brunet Island State Park
Natural history
Brunet Island is formed by the confluence of the Chippewa and Fisher Rivers. Backwater channels at the north end of the island create several undeveloped islets. The regional landscape was strongly marked by glaciation during the Wisconsin glaciation.
The park is forested with mature eastern hemlocks. Deer, overpopulated on the island, eat most of the young hemlocks. In time red pines and spruces may become dominant. Small fenced plots are scattered throughout the island to protect saplings and undergrowth from the deer. In 1977, a tornado touched down on the north-central part of the island, leveling 18 acres (7.3 ha). The tornado left so much debris that the park was closed until spring 1978 for cleanup. Today, this area is regenerating with birch trees.
Cultural history
The park is named after Jean Brunet (1791–1877), an upper-class French immigrant who was instrumental in the development of the upper Chippewa River. He moved to
The state acquired Brunet Island in 1936 when it was donated by Northern States Power (now Xcel Energy). The Civilian Conservation Corps built a log shelter in 1938 as the park was developed, and Brunet Island State Park officially opened two years later.
Recreation
- Bicycling: Allowed on park roads and Old Abe State Trail.
- Boating:
- Ramp for power boats and fishing boats. Boaters can access a 4-mile (6.4 km) stretch of the Chippewa River between two dams.
- Canoes can be rented from several outfitters in Cornell and Holcombe.
- Camping:
- South Campground: 24 sites, all with electrical hookups.
- North Campground: 45 primitive sites.
- Fishing: Game fish include northern pike, walleye, small mouth bass, catfish, crappie, muskie, and yellow perch. There are fishing piers near each campground.
- Hunting: Deer hunting allowed in northern two-thirds of mainland section.
- Sports: Playground and baseball diamond at the picnic area.
- Swimming: 200-foot (60 m) swimming beach on the south end of the island.
- Trails: 8 miles (13 km) of hiking trails and 5 miles (8 km) for cross-country skiing.
- Jean Brunet Nature Trail (hiking): Interpretive trail starting near the bridge (0.8 mi or 1.3 km).
- Timber Trail (hiking): Leads across the middle of the island from the campground to the beach.
- Pine Trail (hiking): Leads through a plantation of red pine.
- Spruce Trail (hiking): Leads along the eastern shore of the island.
- Nordic Trail (hiking, skiing): Loops through the park section on the mainland.
References
- ^ "Brunet Island State Park". Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. July 19, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- ^ Bartlett, W.W. (February 16, 1919). "Jean Brunet devoted life to Chippewa Valley". Eau Claire Leader. Eau Claire, Wis. Archived from the original on September 27, 2006. Retrieved September 16, 2006.
External links
- Brunet Island State Park Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources