Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge | |
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IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
![]() Mule Deer | |
![]() ![]() The refuge straddles the Columbia River | |
Location | Morrow County, Oregon Benton County, Washington |
Nearest city | Hermiston, Oregon |
Coordinates | 45°53′59″N 119°36′04″W / 45.8998551°N 119.6011369°W[1]Coordinates: 45°53′59″N 119°36′04″W / 45.8998551°N 119.6011369°W[1] |
Area | 23,783 acres (9,625 ha)[2] |
Established | 1969 |
Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Website | Umatilla NWR |
The Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge is located on and around the Columbia River about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Hermiston, Oregon and includes 8,907 acres (3,605 ha) in Oregon, and 14,876 acres (6,020 ha) in Washington.[2] It was established in 1969 to help mitigate habitat lose due to the flooding that occurred following the construction of the John Day Dam. The refuge is popular with birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.
The refuge is a varied mix of open water, sloughs, shallow marsh, seasonal wetlands, cropland, islands, and shrub-steppe upland habitats. It is divided into six units—two in Oregon, three in Washington, and one in the middle of the Columbia River. The scarcity of wetlands and other natural habitats in this area make Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge vital to migrating waterfowl, bald eagles, colonial nesting birds, and other migratory and resident wildlife. It is strategically located within the Pacific Flyway to provide Arctic nesting geese and ducks a wintering site and a resting stopover.
References[]
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
- ^ "Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Annual Report of Lands as of September 30, 2009" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
External links[]
- Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- IUCN Category IV
- Geography of Benton County, Washington
- Protected areas of Washington (state) by county
- Tourist attractions in Benton County, Washington
- Geography of Franklin County, Washington
- Tourist attractions in Franklin County, Washington
- National Wildlife Refuges in Washington (state)
- National Wildlife Refuges in Oregon
- Protected areas of Benton County, Washington
- Protected areas of Morrow County, Oregon
- Protected areas established in 1969
- Columbia River
- 1969 establishments in Oregon
- Wetlands of Oregon
- Wetlands of Washington (state)
- Landforms of Benton County, Washington
- Landforms of Morrow County, Oregon
- 1969 establishments in Washington (state)