Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Infobox_protected_area | name = Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
iucn_category = IV

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caption =
locator_x = 17
locator_y = 52
location = Klamath County, Oregon and Siskiyou County, California, USA
nearest_city = Klamath Falls, OR
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 59
lat_seconds = 43
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 121
long_minutes = 42
long_seconds = 42
long_direction = W
area = convert|46900|acre|km2|0
established = 1908
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = United States Fish and Wildlife ServiceThe 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 southern Oregon and northern California border near Klamath Falls, Oregon. It was designated a National Historic Landmark on October 16, 1965.cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=142&ResourceType=Site
title=Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge |accessdate=2008-07-05|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]

Lower Klamath NWR, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908, was the first waterfowl refuge in the United States. Consisting of convert|46900|acre|km2|0, 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 convert|10|mi|km|-1|sing=on 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.

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.

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.

References

See also

*List of National Wildlife Refuges
*Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

External links

* [http://www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/lowerklamath/lowerklamath.html Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge website]