The Lady Slipper newsletter of the Kentucky Native Plant Society has been published since the Society’s founding in 1986. We occasionally feature an article from a past issue. This one, about remnant prairie ecosystems in western Kentucky, first appeared in the winter of 1995, Vol. 10, No. 4. If you would like to see other past issues, visit the Lady Slipper Archives, where all issues from Vol. 1, No. 1, February 1986 to Vol. 38, 2023, can be found.
Remnant Prairies at West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area
by Charlie Logsdon, West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area Supervisor [at the time of this article, 1995]
The history of the land and people that have inhabited the area of what is now West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area (WKWMA) would be suitable for a Michenor novel. West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area is about 6,700 acres in size and is located about 12 miles north west of Paducah . Long before European contact the area was frequented by mound builders, Chickasaws and other native Americans.
During European contact, the adjacent Ohio river provided access for explorers, traders and adventurers. The subsequent settlement changed the area from frontier, to one of agricultural and river based economy. In the l 940’s the Department of Defense purchased 16,000 acres, (including the lands that are today WKWMA) for the construction of the Kentucky Ordinance Works. After the second World War, the land was redistributed to private individuals, the Atomic Energy Commission, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s some of these lands were deeded and or licensed to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR), for wildlife management and wildlife related activities.
At each stage of human involvement with the land, the plant communities were affected . Most of western McCracken, and central and eastern Ballard counties were an island of tall grass prairie prior to European settlement. This was a portion of the 2.5 million acre prairie that existed in Kentucky prior to settlement. These prairie communities were fire dependant for their persistence . Fires were either started by lightning or by the Native Americans . The dominant vegetation were the tall grasses, such as Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata) , little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and eastern gama grass ( Tripsacum dactyloides). A number of forbs were also associated with this tallgrass prairie . A number of Silphium species (compass plant, cutleaf prairie dock, cup plant), blazing stars (Liatris sp.), wild indigos (Baptisia sp.), sunflowers (Helianthus sp.), and rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium) were all found in this region, as well as many others.
During this period the Ohio River bottomland was almost entirely forested. Numerous bottom land hardwoods such as oaks, hickories, cottonwoods, hackberries and others could be found, as well as tupelo swamps and cypress dominated lakes. A rich herbaceous layer was present with a profusion of wildflowers such as spiderwort, trillium and Indian pink.
With European settlement, major land use changes occurred . Fire was suppressed and grasslands were converted to croplands. European plants were introduced intentionally as livestock forage and inadvertently as weed seed contaminants. Bottomland hardwood forests were cleared and the associated wetlands were drained and converted to agriculture. In modern times, as industry moved into the region, land was further converted and covered with buildings, roads, parking lots, etc. However, remnants of the past plant communities are still present in the WKWMA.
The area contains some of the larger tracts of remnant tallgrass prairie remaining in Kentucky . These prairie remnants are maintained through active management and the use of prescribed burning . Annually, 200 to 400 acres of grasslands are burned. All of the prairie species mentioned earlier can be found in the managed grasslands. Some areas of particular interest are large colonies of compass plant (Silphium laciniatum}, white and cream colored wild indigo (Baptisia leucantha and B. leucophea) and dense blazing star (Liatris spicata). Total prairie acreage is difficult to judge due to its being in various stages of restoration. Approximately 1,500 acres of grassland are present with prairie plants being found in most of the stands.
Bayou Ridge Natural Area is also contained within WKWMA . This area is considered to be one of the few best remaining examples of an old-growth bottom land forest in Kentucky. Twenty-six species have been identified in the canopy. Included in the stand is the states largest cottonwood. An excellent tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) swamp is nearby, as well as water hickory (Carya aquatica).
Although WKWMA is one of the most heavily used KDFWR areas, it is managed as a multiple use area. In order to make the most of your visit, contact the WMA Supervisor’s office. I can provide you with a drive-through tour guide for the area and direct you to some of the more accessible sites. A teacher’s study guide is also available for the driving tour. Controlled bum seminars are held annually to educate the public in the use of fire to manage wildlife and restore and maintain the tallgrass prairie.
Several other unique areas are present in the vicinity including Metropolis Lake, and Ballard County WMA. If you are coming from a great distance, plan to visit as many of these areas as possible!
At the time of the original publication of this piece (1995) Charlie Logsdon was the West Kentucky Wildlife Management Area Supervisor.