Pierce National Wildlife Refuge

The Pierce National Wildlife Refuge is in southwest Washington within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. It encompasses wetlands and uplands along the north shore of the Columbia River west of the town of North Bonneville. Refuge habitats include wetlands, Columbia River riparian corridor blocks, transitional woodlands from willows to cottonwood/ash to white oak to Douglas fir, improved pastures with some native grasses, and numerous creeks, seeps, and springs.[4]

Pierce National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Pierce National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Pierce National Wildlife Refuge
LocationSkamania County, Washington, United States
Nearest cityNorth Bonneville, Washington
Coordinates45°37′48″N 122°00′01″W / 45.6301°N 122.0003°W / 45.6301; -122.0003[1]
Area329.38 acres (133.30 ha)[2]
Established1983; 41 years ago (1983)[3]
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsitePierce National Wildlife Refuge

Hardy Creek, which bisects the refuge from east to west, supports one of the last remaining runs of chum salmon on the Columbia River. The creek also supports small remnant runs of coho salmon, steelhead, and Chinook salmon as well as a variety of native species of freshwater fish. The refuge headquarters also serves as the main office for Steigerwald Lake and Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuges. Visitor opportunities are limited to arranged group tours and viewing from the summit of Beacon Rock and the Hamilton Mountain Trail (both located in Beacon Rock State Park).[4]

References

edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

  1. ^ "Pierce National Wildlife Refuge (Fws)". protectedplanet.net. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012.
  2. ^ "Annual Report of Lands as of September 30, 2013" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
  3. ^ "About the Refuge". Pierce National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
  4. ^ a b "Pierce National Wildlife Refuge Profile". U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
edit