This is a widespread northern (circumboreal) species. As in other sedges of northern wetlands, it is speculated that occasional southern occurrences (from Mo. to N.Car.) may result from dispersal by migrating waterfowl. The original coll. from JEFF (KY) was made by C.W. Short in the 1830s on "Corn Island". In 2000, JC found this species at the Blue Grass Army Depot (MADI); to be accessed and investigated further on site. And D. Rogers (pers. comm.) has recently reported the species from Chaney Lake in WARR.