PIKE                       31 Oval Lake

Oval Lake Natural Area

A 20-acre portion of the Ted Shanks Conservation Area in Sections 22 and 27, T55N, R2W, Ashburn 7.5 min. topographic map. For access inquire at the Conservation Area headquarters near Ashburn. Designated September 25, 1974.

Natural Features--This natural 5-acre floodplain pond, unchanged since the 1816 Government Land Office Plats, is located in the Upper Mississippi River Section of the Big Rivers Natural Division. An interesting plant community of river bulrush, wild iris, rose mallow, and water parsley, and typical marsh wildlife such as muskrat and waterfowl are found here. Marsh and bottomland forest surround the pond. The area is owned by the Department of Conservation. For further information contact the Wildlife District Supervisor, Mississippi River District Office, Box 428, Hannibal, MO 63401, phone 573/248-2530.

Aerial view of Oval Lake Natural Area		Marsh Community at Oval Lake Natural Area