Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Location Siskiyou County, California / Klamath County, Oregon, USA
Nearest city Klamath Falls, OR
Coordinates 41°59′43″N 121°42′42″W / 41.99528°N 121.71167°W / 41.99528; -121.71167Coordinates: 41°59′43″N 121°42′42″W / 41.99528°N 121.71167°W / 41.99528; -121.71167
Area 50,912.68 acres (206.04 km2)
Established 1908
Governing body United States Fish and Wildlife Service

The Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a wildlife preserve operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service located in the Klamath Basin along a portion of the northern California and southern Oregon border near Klamath Falls, Oregon. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 16, 1965.[1]

Ross's Geese over freshwater marsh

Lower Klamath NWR, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, was the first waterfowl refuge in the United States. Consisting of a total 50,912.68 acres (206.04 km2), which is comprised of 44,294.55 acres (179.25 km2) in California and 6,618.13 acres (26.78 km2) in Oregon,[2] it includes shallow freshwater marshes, open water, grassy uplands, and croplands that are intensively managed to provide feeding, resting, nesting, and brood rearing habitat for waterfowl and other water birds. A marked 10-mile (20 km) auto tour allows visitors year round access for wildlife viewing. The Refuge also has a number of blinds for wildlife photographers.

Refuge Objectives:

  • Maintain habitat for endangered, threatened and sensitive species.
  • Provide and enhance habitat for fall and spring migrant waterfowl.
  • Protect native habitats and wildlife representative of the natural biological diversity of the Klamath Basin.
  • Integrate the maintenance of productive wetland habitats and sustainable agriculture.
  • Ensure that the refuge agricultural practices conform to the principles of integrated pest management.
  • Provide high quality wildlife-dependent visitor services.
Habitat distribution
American Coots

Significant species:

  • American bald eagle
  • Golden eagle
  • American white pelican
  • White-faced ibis
  • Snow, Ross’, white-fronted, & Canada geese.
  • Peregrine falcon
  • Pintail, mallard, gadwall, canvasback
  • Western & eared grebes
  • Black tern
  • Tri-colored blackbird

Current Issues of Concern:

  • Loss of wetlands. The Klamath Basin has lost 80% of its original wetlands
  • Degraded water quality.
  • Water quantity during drought years (balancing wildlife needs with basin agricultural demands). Water rights adjudication.
Great Egret on gate valve handle

Public Uses:

  • Wildlife viewing areas
  • Wildlife Auto Routes
  • Waterfowl Hunting
  • Visitor Center
  • Environmental Education
  • Photography Blinds
  • Refuge Virtual Tour

Ongoing Management Activities:

  • Extensive wetland/cropland rotation scheme.
  • Implementation of a comprehensive Integrated Pest Management Program on commercial lease lands.
  • Maintenance of an extensive water conveyance infrastructure.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=142&ResourceType=Site. Retrieved on 2008-07-05. 
  2. ^ USFWS Lands Report, 30 September 2007

[edit] External links

Search Wikimedia Commons Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
v • d • e
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Park Service logo
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Klamath_National_Wildlife_Refuge"
Personal tools