Tamarak Swamp?

Hoopjohn · #21 02/07/14, 10:29 AM

This land has very little, if any use, other than being on the property tax rolls for the township.

One simply has to realize that some property is simply close to being useless. And this certainly appears to fit the bill.

Its possible there may be some hunting on the property. Generally though, there is little food to be found in a northern swamp such as this, and little reason for wild game to be in the area.

Draining the land and creating a lake is both legally and logistically impossible. This is Minnesota, not some backward area. 30 years ago, it may have been possible. Today, wetlands generally are off limits to any type of tampering. Even if by some miracle, they would allow draining of the swamp, it would be a financial nightmare, and the costs would FAR exceed the value of "good land".

I'm guessing the realtor is hoping to sell this land to someone who possesses little knowledge of the potential for this land. There is no potential for this land. Its a northern swamp. And it always will be a northern swamp.

Adisiwaya · #22 02/07/14, 02:55 PM

16258 Driftwood St, McGregor, MN is address I'll post the link for realator in a sec.

http://m.trulia.com/property/3094714...regor-MN-55760

That is why I would figure getting some input from some people because I did do some research but not a lot.

longshot38 · #23 02/07/14, 06:55 PM

we have tamarak here, also known as eastern larch, and it is prized for a couple of things; 1 when dry makes excellent fire wood hot like the softer woods and long lasting like hard wood. 2 very formable while green and keeps its shape when dry. 3 very tough wood used in boat building. 4 very rot resistant like cedar.

spruce is a very common fire wood here, i burn it almost exclusively, black and white are most common here but red is found as well. if it's dry it burns well and especially knotty wood can last a good while.

dean

fishhead · #24 02/07/14, 07:02 PM

I was surprised but Aitkin Co has an interactive GIS map.

Click on this link.

http://gisweb.co.aitkin.mn.us/link/jsfe/index.aspx

Then click on the binoculars on the top bar and type or paste in your address.

On the left is a bar. Click on the top and it zooms in. Click on the bottom and it zooms up.

I couldn't tell what property you were looking at by the address.

If you click on the identify buttom to the right of the binoculars a window will open. Click on single and then click on a map parcel for info like acreage, owner, value, etc.

fishhead · #25 02/07/14, 07:17 PM

Here's Google Earth shot.

Kasota · #26 02/07/14, 07:23 PM

There are a LOT of rules when it comes to wetland. What I think of as a wetland is not even close to what the DNR may think of as a wetland. For example, they will look at the type of grasses growing on the property and if those are known for growing in wet areas they can classify the land as a wetland...even though you may never see any standing water there except in the Spring when the snows melt. So you may have damp soil but no standing water - and it gets classified as wetland. Restrictions will apply.

Adisiwaya · #27 02/08/14, 03:28 AM

Its a cabin on the curve. Can ya tell if its highland or not? Basically whole are I have in the picture

fishhead · #28 02/08/14, 08:07 AM

There is some high ground to the east of the corner. I see a 30' tall dome about 3,000' to the east of the corner.

O4-0-029700 looks like mostly spruce bog.
O4-0-030000 has about 23 acres of high ground.
O4-0-031000 looks like sedge meadow wetland.

You can get a much sharper image by changing the imagery. Just click on the Legend button to the right of the binoculars.

Unclick the 2013 Imagery box and click on the 2011 Imagery box.

Next expand the Basemap by clicking on the "+" to the left of it.

Next expand the Landcover, Soils, Topography by clicking on the "+".

Next click the box next to the 2' contours. That will put contour lines on the map and you can see the high ground.

fishhead · #29 02/08/14, 08:09 AM

Here's a screen shot of the property with contour lines added. You can see on the left what boxes are checked and what ones aren't. There's a great pinch point to the east of the road. When I zoom in I can see the deer trail.

Adisiwaya · #30 02/08/14, 08:19 AM

So basically 23 acres of highland? What would you suggest paying for the 136 acres?

bigjon · #31 02/08/14, 08:35 AM

make sure theres no protected wetlands/watershed laws in effect.elderly gent bought 16 acres of swamp in back of me ran into these(n.y.state)$5500 for swamp-i'm still laughing!

fishhead · #32 02/08/14, 11:26 AM

There are about 23 acres of high ground in that parcel but that parcel isn't 136 acres so there must be other parcels in the same sale.

mmoetc · #33 02/08/14, 12:04 PM

What are the plans for this land?

Adisiwaya · #34 02/08/14, 12:07 PM

Its the top middle to and one above it not screenshoted in your picture. Might not of done the right one? I'd look on a laptop but bout to go cut wood for an elderly family friend (sons bought wood in December and no one cut any. So been only cutting a week or 2 at a time)

MichaelZ · #35 02/08/14, 12:10 PM

Any islands of high ground in this swampy area can by dynamite for whitetail deer hunting if they have oaks (and acorns). The deer will hide out in the swamp, but come up onto the islands to feed. If you do not hunt, and have such islands, you could probably make some good money off leasing out to hunters. Even 23 acres is a nice chunk to hunt on, especially if it is in the middle of a vast remote area.

Adisiwaya · #36 02/08/14, 12:18 PM

Hobby farm, hunting, family estate kind of thing. He wants to put a bigger place there and be out of the way from people. That's what he told me

Adisiwaya · #37 02/08/14, 12:27 PM

Them are the 3 lots

I'll fully admit I have no idea how to tell what is what on there :/

fishhead · #38 02/08/14, 01:52 PM

The highlighted parcel is only 28 acres and has about 2+ acres of high ground.

The parcel above it is also only 28 acres and has about 5 acres of high ground.

The larger parcel 80 acres to the east of both looks to be all lowland spruce.

I don't know what it's worth but I doubt much of it is useful for hunting or building.

Adisiwaya · #39 02/08/14, 04:36 PM

Okay thanks for explaining that to me. Probably tell him yo find something else lol

bowdonkey · #40 02/09/14, 02:30 PM

I live about 30 miles east of there. Remember this is a Lyme's hot spot. Most people get it that live in the country. Trust me, it's no fun, and probably is forever. About 20 acres of my land is lowland ash and tamarack. Pretty much useless except for generating tax revenue for the county. Now is the easiest time to travel that type of terrain. Without snow it's all humocks. Very, very tough to travel. Add in a few mosquitos and deer flies and it's sheer misery. And don't forget the ticks. It's nothing to have 50-100 ticks per day! For that property I wouldn't give more than $100 per acre. If I wasn't married to a local I sure wouldn't live here. Go further west, west of Aiken. Hardwoods, less bog, little more hilly.