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Niobrara River Valley Foraging Conditions — ForageIQ

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Niobrara River Valley

1,900–2,700 ft · NE🚗 Directions

A

Wild and Scenic Niobrara River corridor in north-central NE. Eastern deciduous (bur oak, basswood, ash, hop hornbeam) meets western ponderosa pine in a narrow eastern-extension biome. Morels in the cottonwood-elm bottoms. Niobrara SP and Smith Falls SP provide access.

Trees:Bur Oak Cottonwood Ponderosa Pine

Updated Aug 27, 4:16 AM MT

AI Conditions Report

AI-generated · verify in field

**Niobrara Tier A: The Paradox of Abundance in Drought** You're sitting on a massive species roster—the Tier A designation reflects genuine ecological diversity—but soil VWC hovering at 0.08 with a 7-day plateau means fruiting bodies are stalled. The 1.43" over seven days didn't stick; it either ran off or evaporated fast at 69°F soil temp. The real story: this region *should* be producing, but moisture isn't triggering the flush. Perennials (Chaga, polypores, conks) remain viable as background finds, while ephemerals (boletes, chanterelles, inky caps) need the next rain event to wake up. Watch the 14-day trend closely—if you don't break 0.12 VWC in the next 48–72 hours, expect another week of slim pickings despite the species richness. The moisture trigger being unmet is the kill condition, not temperature or substrate. **Hot tip:** Hunt wood-decay species (Turkey Tail, Artist's Conk, Birch Polypore) on shaded north-facing slopes where residual soil moisture lingers longest—they'll fruit even when the open ground stays dry.

Generated by Claude (Anthropic) from the structured weather, soil, and phenology data on this page. The LLM can misread edge cases — treat this as a starting hypothesis, not a guarantee. Always verify conditions on the ground before committing to a long drive.

Foraging Potential80/100

❌Moisture

✅Soil Temp

✅No Freeze

✅No Drought

Precip 7d

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Nearby Camping

Within(0)

No campgrounds within 10 mi. Try widening the radius.

⚠ Road Access Notice

Always verify road access is public before following GPS directions to mountain areas. Many forest roads are seasonal, gated, or require 4WD. Dispersed camping follows USFS/BLM rules (typically 14-day limit). Check ranger district offices for current road and campground conditions.

Viable Species

Confidence × Primordia state

MODERATEPrimed

Frost's BoleteBoletus frostii

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Oyster MushroomPleurotus ostreatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Chicken of the WoodsLaetiporus sulphureus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Death CapAmanita phalloides

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Hedgehog MushroomHydnum repandum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Shaggy ManeCoprinus comatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Wine CapStropharia rugosoannulata

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Beefsteak PolyporeFistulina hepatica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Turkey TailTrametes versicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Witch's ButterTremella mesenterica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Jack-o-LanternOmphalotus olearius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Aspen BoleteLeccinum insigne

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Indigo Milk CapLactarius indigo

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

ChagaInonotus obliquus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bear's Head ToothHericium americanum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Crown-Tipped CoralArtomyces pyxidatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Jelly EarAuricularia auricula-judae

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Orange Peel FungusAleuria aurantia

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Dead Man's FingersXylaria polymorpha

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Birch BoleteLeccinum scabrum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Parasol MushroomMacrolepiota procera

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Shaggy ParasolChlorophyllum rhacodes

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Meadow MushroomAgaricus campestris

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Artist's ConkGanoderma applanatum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Birch PolyporeFomitopsis betulina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Tinder FungusFomes fomentarius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bird's Nest FungusCyathus striatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Cinnabar ChanterelleCantharellus cinnabarinus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Violet CoralClavaria zollingeri

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Berkeley's PolyporeBondarzewia berkeleyi

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Capped Scaber StalkLeccinum aurantiacum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Old Man of the WoodsStrobilomyces strobilaceus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Horse MushroomAgaricus arvensis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Pear-Shaped PuffballLycoperdon pyriforme

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Mica CapCoprinellus micaceus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Shrimp of the WoodsEntoloma abortivum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Two-Colored BoleteBoletus bicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Smooth ChanterelleCantharellus lateritius

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Caesar's AmanitaAmanita jacksonii

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Golden SpindlesClavulinopsis fusiformis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Weeping Milk CapLactifluus volemus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Green-Gill LepiotaChlorophyllum molybdites

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Bitter BoleteTylopilus felleus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Green Cracked RussulaRussula virescens

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Peppery Milk CapLactarius piperatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Woolly Milk CapLactarius torminosus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Oak Milk CapLactarius quietus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Coker's AmanitaAmanita cokeri

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Alcohol InkyCoprinopsis atramentaria

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Fairy InkcapCoprinellus disseminatus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Magpie InkyCoprinopsis picacea

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Yellow-StainerAgaricus xanthodermus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Red-Belted ConkFomitopsis pinicola

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Thin-Walled Maze PolyporeDaedaleopsis confragosa

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Mossy Maze PolyporeCerrena unicolor

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

False Turkey TailStereum ostrea

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Coral ToothHericium coralloides

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Northern ToothClimacodon septentrionalis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Snow FungusTremella fuciformis

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Wood EarAuricularia americana

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Jelly AntlerCalocera viscosa

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Green ElfcupChlorociboria aeruginascens

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Ivory FunnelClitocybe dealbata

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Brown Roll-RimPaxillus involutus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Angel WingsPleurocybella porrigens

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Aspen OysterPleurotus populinus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Wolf's Milk SlimeLycogala epidendrum

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Dog Vomit Slime MoldFuligo septica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Fluted Bird's NestCrucibulum laeve

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

King Alfred's CakesDaldinia concentrica

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Yellow Fly AgaricAmanita muscaria var. guessowii

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Dung Bird's NestCyathus stercoreus

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Amethyst DeceiverLaccaria amethystina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Oak MazegillDaedalea quercina

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

MODERATEPrimed

Amanita Muscaria

moisture marginal (today 0.08 VWC, 7d avg 0.09 — sustained dry)

Primordia readiness: Cold = mycelium dormant. Activating = soil warming, primordia building. Primed = 5+ sustained warm days at species threshold; fruiting imminent if moisture cooperates. Based on Schmidt 1983 / Mihail 2007.