Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

Infobox_protected_area | name = Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
iucn_category = IV

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caption =
locator_x = 231
locator_y = 54
location = Genesee County, New York, USA
nearest_city = Batavia, New York
lat_degrees = 43
lat_minutes = 7
lat_seconds = 0
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 78
long_minutes = 21
long_seconds = 5
long_direction = W
area = 10,818 acres
(43.78 km²)
established = May 19, 1958
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge and conservation area operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Genesee and Orleans Counties in the western part of New York. The refuge is between the cities of Buffalo and Rochester.

Although the refuge headquarters is listed as 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013, it is just northwest of the community of Alabama in the Town of Alabama.

History

The refuge was created in 1958 as the Oak Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, but the name was soon changed to the current name because the State of New York maintains the similarly named Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area adjacent to the federal refuge at its eastern boundary. Both conservation areas, along with the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area, located on the western side of the federal land, are used as stopping points for waterfowl and other migratory birds, but also provide habitats for a variety of other animals. All three areas constitute the Alabama Swamp Complex.

Facilities

The refuge comprises convert|10818|acre|km2 consisting of several large pools (separated by dikes), swamps, meadows, fields, and woodlands. Parking areas, overlooks, and trails are in most locations, except for the few closed to visitors. Each year a large pool is drained to preserve the quality of the reserve. Some areas are closed to protect the introduction of bald eagles or to preserve other wildlife. Many areas are closed between March and July to allow birds to nest undisturbed.

Structure

The western half of the preserve is divided into four large ponds: Cayuga Pool, Mohawk Pool, Oneida Pool, and Seneca Pool. The Feeder Road, an unpaved north-south road, separates the Seneca and Cayuga Pools from the other two. The refuge headquarters is located south of the Mohawk pool, and the Cayuga Pool has overlook platforms at the parking lot by NY-77, which marks the refuge boundary. The small Kanyoo Trail (a loop) is located nearby to the east.

The eastern half contains a scattering of smaller ponds and many marshy areas. The Swallow Hollow Trail (a loop) is located at the eastern edge of the refuge and circles Swallow Hollow Marsh. The Onondaga Trail is located off Sour Springs Road and passes along the north side of Onondaga Pool.

Geography

The wetlands are watered by Oak Orchard Creek.

New York State Route 63 is a north-south highway passing through the center of the preserve.

Permitted activities

* Hunting, fishing, and trapping (seasonal).
* Hiking, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing.
* Nature observation.
* Photography.
* Canoes (unmotorized) may be used on Oak Orchard Creek between Knowlesville Road and NY-63.

Prohibited activities

* Picnicking and camping.
* Disturbing items of antiquity.
* Swimming, wading, and use of flotation devices.
* Fires.
* Removal or wildlife, including plants.
* Horseback riding and off-road vehicle use.
* Dumping.
* Carrying firearms except during hunting season.

Iroquois Job Corpsthe Iroquois job Corps is located in the middle of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge at 11780 Tibbets Road, Medina, New York.

See also

*List of National Wildlife Refuges
*Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, located farther east.

External links

* [http://iroquoisnwr.fws.gov Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge webpage]
* [http://home.eznet.net/~kfox/wny/sites/inwr.htm Alabama Swamp Complex]

*Geolinks-US-cityscale|43.116667|-78.351389