Fish and Wildlife Service

Description	Wildlife Observation	Jobs & Volunteers
History	Hunting	Studies
Directions	Camping,Pets, Etc	Habitat Management
Road Conditions/Maps	Special Events	Current Events

History
The area that now comprises the refuge was once enveloped by an enormous inland lake know today as Lake Bonneville. This great body of water rose and fell several times during its 16,000 year existence. The prominent shorelines where water levels stabilized for extended periods are visible on the mountains in the area. When Lake Bonneville was at its peak level, the water in the area that is now marsh would have been nearly 850 feet deep. The lake declined to a level below the present marsh level around 14,000 years go.

After Lake Bonneville receeded the History of the Fish Springs area included inhabitation by various natives ranging from the Paleo Archaic to the later Goshutes. These were followed by early western pioneers spanning a time from the Pony Express to the Lincoln Highway.

The History of Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge started with early evaluation in 1934 and finally purchase and construction starting in 1959.

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Last Updated November 15 2007