Ecology and recreation The Bighorn National Forest contains primarily forest along with alpine meadows and lakes at higher elevations. The forest is primarily lodgepole pine, along with several species of spruce, fir, and aspen. While grizzly bears have not inhabited the forest since the early 20th century, black bears are widespread. Grizzly bears have made a comeback in the decades. Other large mammals include cougars, elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and moose. Coyotes are also present in this forest. Numerous lakes are found within the forest and most are naturally stocked with trout and at least 100 other fish species. Meadowlark Lake is a popular recreation area created by the construction of a dam built by Company 841 of the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. Water quality sampling from the lakes shows the highest acid rain deposition of any mountain chain in the Rockies. Gallery References Further reading Georgen, Cynde. In the shadow of the Bighorns: A history of early Sheridan and the Goose Creek valley of northern Wyoming. Sheridan, Wyoming: Sheridan County Historical Society, 2010. External links Bighorn National Forest - U.S. Forest Service National Forests of Wyoming National Forests of the Rocky Mountains Civilian Conservation Corps in Wyoming Protected areas of Sheridan County, Wyoming Protected areas of Big Horn County, Wyoming Protected areas of Johnson County, Wyoming Protected areas of Washakie County, Wyoming Protected areas established in 1897 1897 establishments in Wyoming