Bottomland Forest

Bottomland forest at SNR is best represented by 160 acres in the flood plain of the Meramec River. Characteristic trees in this area are sycamore, cottonwood, silver maple, elm, and box elder. These species need bare soil for their seeds to germinate. The frequent flooding of the Meramec provides this bare soil by washing leaves away and depositing a layer of silt as the flood water recedes. The deep alluvial soil provides adequate moisture for tree growth even in the driest years, resulting in a fast-growing forest of immense trees. Masses of Bluebells, Trout Lily, Blue Phlox, and False Rue Anemone make a spectacular display here in spring. In geological terms, the flood plain is a youthful area in a state of constant change. The river bed is slowly moving southward, creating on the north bank a series of ridges and troughs which are a visible record of the gradual change in the river's course.

The bottomland forest can be reached by parking at the Trail House, #8 on your map, and walking down the  two-and-a-half-mile loop Goddard River Trail to the Natural Area, #13 on your map.