Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area in California, USA. It comprises wetlands, riparian forests, and grasslands, providing vital habitats for migratory birds and supporting diverse wildlife species. Sacramento Valley in north-central California has six refuges, including the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.
The wildlife refuge may be around 110 kilometers (70 miles) north of the Sacramento metropolitan area. Some grassland and river habitats are also included in the Refuge’s 4,507 acres, although highly maintained wetland impoundments comprise most of the area. The Sacramento Valley is one of North America’s most important waterfowl wintering areas.
Colusa Refuge is home to about 200,000 ducks and 50,000 geese in winter. The dense concentration of waterfowl throughout the winter is supported by extensive management of wetland impoundments, which also benefits resident animals and spring/summer migration.
Several populations of rare and delicate plant species thrive in grassland habitats. The Refuge is home to several endangered species, including bird’s-beak venomous snakes and huge garter snakes. About 35,000 people visit the Refuge yearly, with another 4,000 coming to hunt waterfowl and pheasant.
Local Topography Of Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Due to its expansive agricultural land, the Valley is a sizable agricultural area that has long served as a crucial stopover for millions of ducks and geese throughout the winter. The majority of the land in the area surrounding the Refuge is rice fields with irrigation water and some wheat and fruit trees mixed in. The terrain is flat, and a slight decline leads toward the Sacramento River from the southeast.
Attractions Areas At Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
The Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is in the Sacramento Valley of northern California and is part of the Sacramento NWR Complex. Over 4,500 acres of the Refuge comprise permanent ponds, watergrass, seasonal marsh, and uplands.
In 1945, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Lea Act may be referred to as acts that provided the legal basis for creating the Refuge. In response to devastating crop losses sustained by rice farmers, Congress approved the Lea Act to facilitate the purchase of habitat for migrating waterfowl.
The primary objectives of the Refuge are to offer a feeding and resting habitat for migrating waterfowl during the winter; offer habitat and manage it for endangered, threatened, or sensitive species; maintain a natural diversity and abundance of flora and fauna; cut down on crop damage; and offer public use activities such as wildlife observation and hunting. The haven comprises 30 sections, with wetland areas comprising roughly 78% of the land area.
Since 95% of the marsh areas of the Central Valley have disappeared throughout the previous century, the Sacramento Valley’s refuges have become increasingly important to the region’s waterfowl population.
Around the winter, the Refuge is home to around 200,000 ducks and 100,000 geese. As a result, the program for managing the marsh is one of the most thorough in the refuge system.
Address: 2180 State Hwy 20, Colusa, CA 95932, United States
Phone Number: +1 530-934-2801
Area: 18.24 km²
Established: 1945
Management: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
