Columbia National Wildlife Refuge


	Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
	735 East Main Street Othello, WA 99344 - 1443 E-mail: mcriver@fws.gov Phone Number: (509) 488-2668
	Visit the Refuge's Web Site: http://www.fws.gov/columbia/

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge
Columbia Refuge is a scenic mixture of rugged cliffs, canyons, lakes, and sagebrush grasslands. Formed by fire, ice, floods, and volcanic tempest, carved by periods of extreme violence of natural forces, the refuge lies in the middle of the Drumheller Channeled Scablands of central Washington. The area reveals a rich geologic history highlighted by periods of dramatic activity, each playing a major role in shaping the land. The northern half of the refuge, south of Potholes Reservoir, is a rugged jumble of cliffs, canyons, lakes, and remnants of lava flows. This part of the Scablands, known as the Drumheller Channels, is the most spectacularly eroded area of its size in the world and was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1986.

The favorable mixture of lakes and surrounding irrigated croplands, combined with generally mild winters and protection provided by the refuge, attracts larg numbers of migrating and wintering mallard ducks, Canada geese, and other waterfowl, including tundra swans.

Getting There . . .
From Othello, Washington, drive 5 miles northwest on McManamon Road, then turn north on Morgan Lake Road. This is the major north/south public road through the heart of the refuge. It starts paved and turns to gravel in approximately 1.5 miles.

This road will take you past McManamon Lake, Crab Creek, Frog Lake, and Upper Crab Creek trailheads and parking areas. Continuing north take the right spur road to Soda Lake Dam boat launch and the Pillar/Widgeon trailhead and parking area.

Leaving the spur road and continuing north to Soda Lake Campground entrance and finally out to O'Sullivan Dam Road. A map of the refuge is available at just about every parking area for further refuge exploration.

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These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

Located in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, Columbia Refuge receives less than eight inches of annual precipitation, creating an arid environment. Most precipitation is received during the late fall, winter, and early spring when weather is generally cloudy and sometimes foggy. When spring moisture is sufficient, refuge uplands bloom with a multitude of wildflowers. Summers are generally sunny, hot, and very dry.

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When the Columbia Salish Indians first used this area, there was only an intermittent creek. While the seasonal scarcity of game in the desert environment discouraged the Indians from establishing permanent camps, they did travel through the area following Crab Creek to their fishing areas along the Columbia River. Waterfowl use was confined to areas along the Columbia River.

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Fishing
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Wetland Habitat Restoration of Managed Marsh impoundments in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Washington Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Audubon, and the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District are currently underway.

By opening up dense, decadent stands of cattail and bulrush, eliminating noxious weeds, replacing worn out water control structures, cleaning out water delivery channels, and properly manipulating water levels, we will enhance wetland habitats for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds and other wildlife.

Upland and Riparian Habitat Restoration programs in partnership with Audubon, Ducks Unlimited, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Washington Trout, and Rainier Seeds (a private native grass seed company) are underway and used in coordination with our Noxious Weed Control Programs to eliminate noxious weeds and replace them with native grasses, shrubs, and trees, benefiting refuge wildlife, adjacent landowners, and the visiting public.

Our noxious weed control program attacks "new invaders," serious wetland habitat threats (purple loosestrife, saltcedar, phragmites, and Russian olive), and listed noxious weed species as described in our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan. IPM practices such as mowing, burning, grazing, biocontrols, native grass plantings, and herbicides are used in conjunction with our upland, riparian, and wetland habitat restoration program and fire management program.

A very active fire management program supports our efforts in wildfire suppression/presuppression and prescribed fire to protect and enhance plant and wildlife populations and habitats, adjacent landowners, and the visiting public. The fire program is an integral part of all refuge programs.

Our public use program supports wildlife-oriented activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing/photography, hunting, fishing, boating, and environmental education. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife manages our fisheries under an approved management plan.

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