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Coldwater River
National Wildlife Refuge
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 Refuge Overview: Established in 2000, the Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge (located in Quitman and Tallahatchie Counties, Mississippi) was originally part of the Tallahatchie National Wildlife Refuge. Since the Coldwater’s creation, Migratory Bird Conservation Funds, which include Federal Duck Stamp dollars, have been used to purchase 4,502 acres for the refuge.
Tim McCabe/USFWS |
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| Wildlife and
Habitat: The Coldwater River National Wildlife
Refuge was created specifically to provide critical wintering
and breeding habitat for mallards and wood ducks. Further, the
refuge is a priority for the Lower
Mississippi River Delta Joint Venture. Consisting primarily of bottomland hardwood forests,
the refuge is also dotted with 25 old catfish ponds that are
managed intensively for waterfowl and shorebirds. Every year
in the winter and spring, the refuge is flooded by the Coldwater
and Tallahatchie Rivers. The flooded forests induce over 50,000
ducks to winter in the area. Coldwater is also home to Peregrine
falcons, least terns, black terns, bald eagles, golden eagles,
and wood storks. |
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| Recreation Opportunities: Due
to the seasonal flooding of the area and the sensitive nature of
the ponds used for waterfowl sanctuary, the Coldwater River National
Wildlife Refuge is currently closed to the public. A levee along
the refuge boundary is open to the public, though, allowing access
for wildlife viewing and fishing. |
Additional Resources
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