The auto tour road is gravel. After hard rains or early in the spring, it may be soft and slippery, so please drive carefully. For your safety and to reduce disturbance to wildlife, please keep your vehicle on the tour route at all times.
Each auto tour route interpretive stop has a sign that corresponds to the bold writing. Read the information in this brochure to learn more about the wildlife habitat found near this stop.
Each interpretive stop has a place to safely pull your vehicle off the route and enjoy all the sights and sounds. To minimize disturbance to migratory waterfowl, the auto tour route is closed to the public from October 1 until May 1.
Seasonal Wetlands
Seasonal wetlands, like the one to your left, may hold water for only
two weeks, or they may remain wet through the middle of summer. How are
wetlands that dry up good for wildlife? They are shallow and up quickly
in the spring, providing a rich source of food for migrating waterfowl
and other birds such as golden plovers, great blue herons, and red-winged
blackbirds. Small seasonal wetlands are also important places for male
and female ducks to pair up and complete courtship.
"Son of Heaven"
Lake
According to legend, Lake Tewaukon was named for an ancient religious
leader Te Wau Kon, or "Son of Heaven." The lake is shallow and
covers more than 1,000 acres. Lake Tewaukon, along with Sprague Lake (8
miles to the west), are open to public fishing. Anglers can try their
luck casting for northern pike, walleye, or yellow perch. (see the
Visitor Information brochures
for fishing information)
Rest rooms are found at this location. Three boat ramps, shown on the brochure map, are available for boat launching.
Look to your left to see one of the four large concrete dams along the Wild Rice River. These large dams help hold water to create wetland habitat for many species of waterbirds. The auto tour continues straight ahead.
Partners Farming for Wildlife
Every year, local farmers work with Refuge staff in a win-win partnership.
The local farmers plant crops in Refuge fields, providing a food source
for wildlife. Farmers who participate in the program harvest and keep
a portion of the crop. The other portion is left for wildlife. Winter
wheat or other green browse provides a nourishing treat for waterfowl
migrating north in the spring. Fall row crops, such as corn, are available
for waterfowl during their southern migration. White-tailed deer and ring-necked
pheasants also benefit from crops left throughout the winter. All landowners
in the area benefit from this program through reduced waterfowl feeding
on surrounding private property.
Home Sweet Home
Birds that nest on the ground, such as mallards, blue-winged teal, pheasants,
grasshopper sparrows, and meadowlarks, need thick cover in which to hide
their nests. Thick cover helps protect nests from red skunks, raccoons,
and other redators that enjoy a tasty egg inner. The field on your left
is a planted mixture of alfalfa, sweet clover, and wheat grass, which
provides good nest protection. In winter, deer and pheasants use this
thick cover for protection from harsh winds and cold temperatures.
Deeper Water, Different Wildlife
The deeper water in this large wetland to your right provides a habitat
different from the seasonal wetland you saw at the first stop. This wetland
holds water all year and contains cattails and other wetland plants. These
plants provide nesting areas for diving ducks such as redheads, ruddy
ducks, and canvasbacks. Larger wetlands provide safe areas for broods
of all species of waterfowl to hide. American white pelicans, grebes,
and cormorants can also be seen here.
Sibleys Expedition
This monument tells the story of General Alfred Sibley's expedition that
camped near this spot in 1863. The native prairie beyond the monument
probably looks much the same as it did when Sibley's troops camped here.
Refuge staff burn this area every two to three years to help maintain
healthy prairie plants. June through August is the best time to see wildflowers
on the prairie.
LaBelle Creek
As you drive from this spot, you will cross LaBelle Creek. The willows
along the creek provide wildlife with relief from hot summer sun and protection
from cold winter winds. Vegetation along creeks and other waterways is
known as a riparian corridor, a distinct habitat from the surrounding
areas. Look for beavers swimming in the stream or working on dams and
lodges. Beaver are an important species because of their knack for creating
wetlands. The common yellowthroat, a wren-sized warbler with a yellow
chest and black "mask," is a delightful species you can spot
here.
Picnic Area
A right turn will take you to the East End Picnic Area. The picnic shelter,
tables, grills, boat ramps, rest rooms, and fishing pier are all accessible.
Trees provide shade for anglers or picnickers and habitat for many woodland
species of birds. Black-capped chickadees, woodpeckers, orioles, yellow
warblers, and tree swallows are just a few of the species found here.
Restoring Prairie
On the left side of the road, cropland is being restored to prairie. The
area was burned, then seeded with native grasses. Eventually, wildflowers
will be added.
If you look across the field in the late summer and fall, you will notice a tall native grass with a branched seed head. It is big bluestem, also called "turkey foot," because the seed head resembles a turkey's foot.
Male bobolinks are small, robin-sized, black birds with white spots on their back and wings. They often perch on the top of tall prairie grasses to sing their bubbling song.
From this stop, drive 1/2-mile south to a "T" intersection, then turn right and go 1 mile to the next intersection and turn right again. You can see Lake Tewaukon and are now back on the Refuge.
Lake Tewaukon
From here you have a scenic view of Lake Tewaukon. During spring and fall
migration, large concentrations of snow and blue geese often rest here.
Bald eagles follow the migrating geese, feeding on sick and dying birds.
During the summer, groups of American white pelicans and western grebes
can be seen fishing on the lake.
Refuge Visitor Center
We hope you enjoyed the auto tour and invite you to explore Tewaukon NWR
further. From here, drive ½-mile west and follow the paved road
north where it becomes County Raod 12. The entrance to the Refuge Visitor
Center is 1/4-mile north of the curve on the east side of the road.
See our Brochures: General Information, Bird List, Auto Tour , Visitor Information Spring & Summer, Visitor Information Fall and Winter (includes hunting).
