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J. Clark Salyer
National Wildlife Refuge		 Snow geese come in two color phases. The white phase is almost entirely white other than the black-tipped wings. The blue phase has a white head with a bluish-gray body.
681 Salyer Road
Upham, ND   58789
E-mail: jclarksalyer@fws.gov
Phone Number: 701-768-2548
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://jclarksalyer.fws.gov		 A large flock of snow geese takes flight over a wetland at J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge.
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  Overview
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge
J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is located along the Souris River in Bottineau and McHenry counties in north-central North Dakota. The 58,693-acre Refuge extends from the Manitoba border southward for approximately 45 miles in an area which was once Glacial Lake Souris. The area is old lake bottom and has extremely flat topography and a high density of temporary wetlands.

The Souris River originates in southern Saskatchewan, flows southwest to Velva, North Dakota, and then generally north to join the Assiniboine River in southern Manitoba. The United States portion of the river is 358 miles long and has a drainage basin of 9,000 square miles; 371 miles of river and 15,000 square miles of the basin are in Canada. Approximately 75 miles of the Souris River are within the boundaries of the Refuge.


Getting There . . .
The Refuge headquarters is 2 miles north of Upham, North Dakota, and can be reached by turning off U.S. Highway 2 at Towner and proceeding 26 miles north on State Highway 14.

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Wildlife and Habitat
Most of this area of North Dakota was once prairie habitat. The Refuge is located in the transition zone between the western shortgrass and eastern tallgrass prairies.

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History
The Refuge was established and acquired under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Fishing
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Managment Activities

Water levels are managed to provide a diversity of wetland habitats and conditions. A combination of haying, grazing, mowing, prescribed burning, spraying, and biological agents are used to control noxious weeds and prevent the invasion of grasslands by shrubs. Prescribed burning and mechanical treatment are used to manage aspen woodlands. Approximately 9,000 ducks are banded annually by Refuge staff and volunteers.