 The Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge was established
September 10, 1979, to secure habitat for the endangered Moapa
dace, a small fish commonly found throughout the headwaters of the
Muddy River system. In the last decade, dace populations have declined
due to habitat destruction and modification.
Competition with introduced species such as the mosquitofish and
shortfin molly have also added to the dace's decline. The Moapa White
River springfish, however, compatibly coexists with the dace.
The refuge is located on 116 acres in northeastern Clark County
and is approximately 60 miles north of Las Vegas, Nevada. Dace habitat
on the refuge consists of stream channels supported by six thermal
springs emerging near the center of the refuge.
Due to its small size, fragile habitats, and on-going restoration
work,the wildlife refuge is only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday,
sunrise to sunset, from Labor Day through Memorial Day. The
wildlife refuge is closed from Memorial Day until Labor Day. |
