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Wildlife Refuges Severely Impacted by Hurricane Ike

texas coastal marsh befoer Hurricane Ike.  
Coastal marsh before Hurricane Ike. Photo: USFWS
 
coastal marsh after hurricane ike.
Coastal marsh after Hurricane Ike. Photo: USFWS

Updated 12-12-08
The Texas Chenier Plain NWR Complex, which includes Anahuac, McFaddin, Texas Point, and Moody National Wildlife Refuges, sustained a direct hit from Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008. Almost all facilities were destroyed or significantly impacted from the storm. As a result, public activities on these refuges have been modified.

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge will reopen portions of the refuge for public access on Saturday, December 13, 2008. Visitors will be able to access Shoveler Pond, The Willows, the Oyster Bayou Boat Ramp, the East Bay Boat Ramp, and the Skillern Tract. Visitors are cautioned, however, that use of the boat ramps may be limited as debris and silt continue to clog waterways, even after they have been cleared. Access along Frozen Point Road is not expected at this time, as significant road work remains to be completed.

The Pace Tract and portions of the Middleton Tract on Anahuac NWR will also open for waterfowl hunting beginning December 13th, 2008. All hunters are required to possess a signed refuge waterfowl hunt permit while hunting on the refuge.

All visitors are cautioned that marsh and waterway conditions have changed due to Hurricane Ike. Navigation hazards exist in most waterways, and access from boat ramps may be difficult. All boaters are encouraged to use extreme caution. For additional information, please contact the refuge office at 409-267-3337.

The chorus of thousands of waterfowl, wind moving through coastal prairie, the splash of an alligator going for a swim, a high-pitched call of a fulvous whistling duck.  These are just some of the sounds you may hear when visiting the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge.

The meandering bayous of Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge cut through ancient flood plains, creating vast expanses of coastal marsh and prairie bordering Galveston Bay in southeast Texas.  The marshes and prairies are host or home to an abundance of wildlife, from migratory birds, to alligators, to bobcats, and more.  Established in 1963, the 34,000 acre refuge is an important link in the chain of National Wildlife Refuges extending along the gulf coast of Texas and Louisiana.

Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 540 refuges that comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System, a national network of lands and waters set aside for the benefit of wildlife conservation.

Tim Cooper, Project Leader
Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 278
Anahuac, TX 77514
e-mail: fw2_rw_anahuac@fws.gov
Phone: 409.267.3337
Fax: 409.267.431

 
Southwest Region 2 Site | USFWS National Site