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Mount Talbot
Mount Talbot exemplifies the loess hills landform which can be seen in western Iowa from the Missouri border to Five Ridge Prairie State Preserve north of Sioux City, IA. During the last ice age, the Missouri River carried a large silt load from the northern Great Plains. Much of this silt blew out of the river valley, forming thick deposits along the east side of the valley. Since deposition, the loess has been eroded into the current steep landscape. Cretaceous bedrock is only slightly exposed in some of the ravines. The valleys are relatively moist and support trees and shrubs. Bur oak dominates the valleys. The prairie along the ridgetops is dominated by little and big bluestem, sideoats grama, and Indian grass. Several rare plant species have been found here. With European settlement and suppression of fire, woody vegetation has encroached on the prairie along the ridges. Fire is being used as a management tool to control woody vegetation.View of Mount Talbot The diversity of plant communities on the preserve supports a large community of butterflies. Fifty species have been identified, one of the largest lists for any site in the state. Several rare species of butterflies have been identified at this site. Facilities for this preserve can be found in nearby Stone State Park. See the Introduction for general use of state preserves. For more information contact the Department of Natural Resources | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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