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Optima
National Wildlife Refuge
Rt. 1 Box 68
Butler, OK   73625
E-mail:
Phone Number: 580-664-2205
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/Optima/
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  Overview
Optima National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the middle of the Oklahoma panhandle, the 4,333-acre Optima National Wildlfie Refuge is made up of grasslands and wooded bottomland on the Coldwater Creek arm of the Optima Reservoir.


Getting There . . .
Follow Highway 3 two miles morth of Hardesty, Oklahoma.


Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

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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.

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Wildlife and Habitat
The bottomland habitat is dominated by mature cottonwood and tallgrass prairie species such as big bluestem, little bluestem and indiangrass. Shortgrass prairie species such as buffalo grass, blue gramma, sandsage, and yucca are found at the higher elevations.

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History
Optima Dam was completed in 1978. The intended purpose of the refuge was to provide migration and wintering habitat for the shortgrass prairie population of Canada geese and the high plains population of mallards. Unfortunately, the impoundment has never risen enough to flood any of the refuge lands. The lack of water has reduced the potential waterfowl management but provides prime habitat for many resident wildlife species.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
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