Most of Moosehorn's waterways were created during the 1950's.  Dabbling ducks, such as black ducks and wood ducks, cannot feed in more than 18 inches of water.  Water control structures on marshes and ponds allow managers to maintain optimal water levels for plant growth and waterfowl feeding.  Water level control also provides necessary food and cover during the breeding season and allows the marshes to be drained periodically for rejuvenation.

The "cookie cutter" on the left is a flat bottomed boat with cutting disks mounted on the front.  It pulls itself through marsh grasses creating clear areas where water can flow.  This is part of how Moosehorn maintains its wetlands.

Waterfowl and Amphibian Surveys Every year, refuge wildlife biologists conduct wildlife surveys on the refuge.  They use this information to estimate population sizes.

Wetland inhabitants they are looking for include:

Waterfowl - Canada geese, ducks, bitterns, rails, pied-billed grebe, and common moorhens.  

Frogs - pickerel, mink, green, gray tree, wood, spring peeper, leopard, bull, and the American toad.