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Grays Lake
National Wildlife Refuge
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 Refuge Overview: Located in Bonneville and Caribou Counties in southeast Idaho, the Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established by the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission in 1965 as a haven for nesting migratory waterfowl, in particular trumpeter swans, Canada geese, canvasbacks, redheads, mallards, and northern pintails. Migratory Bird Conservation Funds, which include Federal Duck Stamp dollars, have been used to acquire 4,069 acres for the refuge. The first land purchase added 40,140 acres, and the most recent, in June 2002, added 4,363 acres to the refuge. Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge also includes a large tract of Idaho State lands leased to the service through a cooperative agreement.
Line Drawing of Sandhill Cranes by Bob Hines/USFWS |
| Wildlife and
Habitat: Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge
protects the largest hardstem bulrush marsh in North America.
In addition to serving as a key nesting area for migratory waterfowl,
it also hosts the world’s largest population of nesting
greater sandhill cranes. Up to 1,200 individuals have been counted
in the area each year during staging times. Fields and grain
croplands on the refuge are actively managed using techniques
such as controlled burns and grazing to promote healthy forage
for migratory waterfowl. |
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| Recreation Opportunities: The
refuge is a bird watcher’s paradise. Birders come especially
to see trumpeter swans and sandhill cranes. |
Additional Resources
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