NH 4. Heath Pond Bog and the Pine River. Acreage: 1000. 



Location: Carroll County, Ossipee Lake Quadrangle; nearest city. Center Os- 

 sipec; reached via Rt. 16 and E on Rt. 25. 



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Description: This bog has the greatest variety of plant species of any peat bog in Tj 



the state. The bog of about 70 acres contains a pond (Heath Pond) lying near its ££ 



northern side. Heath Pond is a classic example of bog succession. The 5-acre — 



pond is surrounded by a 10 ft-wide zone of floating Sphagnum, leatherleaf, cran- rn 



berry, Andromeda, Kalmia polifolia, and orchids of several species as well as 

 Drosera and Sarracenia purpurea. Beyond this zone these species give way to 

 various shrub species and picturesque dwarf spruce and larch. On the heath 

 grow red, white, and pitch pine. Two spectacular eskers are covered with ma- 

 ture timber. The Pine River meanders through extensive swamps and beaver 

 meadows on the south and western edges. 



References: Lyon, C. J., and H. F. Bormann (eds.). 1962. Natural areas of New 

 Hampshire, p. 35. 



Encroachments: There are various glacial formations adjacent to the bog in- 

 cluding eskers. The gravel deposits are vulnerable, while there has been some 

 threat of mining the bog itself for peat. Except for the new highway cutting 

 across the northern end of the bog, the area is entirely natural and unspoiled 

 and the highway has not affected the bog significantly. 



Ownership: The state of New Hampshire now owns Heath Pond and portions of 

 the Bog. The adjacent eskers and the Pine River are still in private ownership 

 and should be acquired. 



Data source: Albion R. Hodgdon, Department of Botany, University of New 

 Hampshire, Durham, N.H. 03824; F. L. Steele, Tamworth, N.H. 03886. 



Other knowledgeable persons: Tudor Richards, Executive Director, Audubon 

 Society of New Hampshire, Concord, N.H. 03301; Paul Boffinger, Society for 

 the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, South State St., Concord, N.H. 

 03301; Malcolm Thomas, State Parks Division, Concord, N.H. 03301; Paul G. 

 Favour, Jr., Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Me. 04609; R. H. Goodwin, Box 

 1445 Connecticut College, New London, Conn. 06320. 



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