National Estuarine
Research Reserves

About This Reserve

This reserve is located along a river-to-lake gradient at the confluence of the St. Louis River and Lake Superior, the largest and most pristine of the Great Lakes. The reserve is a combination of distinct land areas that include uplands and submerged lands; riparian and riverine habitat; riverine islands; emergent freshwater marshes, interdunal wetlands and scrub swamp; aspen, dry and hardwood forests; and open sand beach and dunes.

Lake Superior Reserve, one of 30 areas in the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, is protected for long-term research, water-quality monitoring, education, and coastal stewardship. Day-to-day management is provided by the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension and other local partners. NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management provides funding, national guidance, and technical assistance.