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SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX ALERTS

Updated July 25, 2024

ALERTS: 

  • RED FLAG WARNING: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the Sacramento Valley from 1pm July 25 through 11pm July 26. From the NWS: "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior." 
    Visit NWS's forecast page for the Sacramento NWR for up-to-date info on the Red Flag Warning.
     
  • AUTO TOUR CLOSURE: The Sacramento NWR Auto Tour Route will be closed to all visitors for roadwork and maintenance Monday July 28 through Thursday August 1. Thank you for your understanding while we complete this important work.
     
  • WE ARE HIRING: GS-12 Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Fire Management Officer). Application window extended to Friday August 9. More info on our Get Involved page!
     

CDFW Soliciting Recommendations for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges: 

  • The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley from licensed hunters. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands, Avian Influenza, and hunting access opportunities.
  • State lands to be discussed include the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough, and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs.
  • The meeting will be held using Microsoft Teams from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Please email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.
  • CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach.

Public Review of Draft Environmental Assessment and Compatibility Determinations - Big Notch Project Special Use Permit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to issue a short-term special use permit to the California Department of Water Resources to allow for increased flows on properties in the Yolo Bypass where the Service has conservation easements. These easements are part of the Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area. The increased flows are for the purpose of implementing the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project.  

A draft environmental assessment (EA) and compatibility determinations (CDs) evaluating the proposed issuance of the permit are now available for public review (links below). The EA and CDs are available for public review through August 25, 2024. Comments may be submitted by email to: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. In the subject line of the email, please indicate “Big Notch Project Special Use Permit.” 

Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Delevan NWR is mostly closed to the public, but does offer hunting and limited photography.

Visit Us

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Image Details

Welcome to Delevan National Wildlife Refuge!   

Delevan National Wildlife is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex:  Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA), Butte Sink WMA, Willow Creek-Lurline WMA.  Delevan NWR is only open to the public for hunting and for photography-blind access (by reservation only).

There are LOTS of recreational opportunities across the Complex, including a Visitor Center, Auto Tours, trails, bicycling, photography, hunting and environmental education.

VISIT US!  <-- Click here to find all the information you need to plan your visit!  Or use the quicklinks, below...

VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      snow geese in water and flying at delevan nwr
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      Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex.  It is situated about 80 miles north of Sacramento and four miles east of the town of Maxwell in Colusa County. The refuge consists of 5,877 acres consisting primarily of wetlands with some riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       and grassland habitats. 

        Click on the link below to learn more about us!

      What We Do

      tractor mowing levee road with mountains in background
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      • Resource Management

      To help plants and wildlife, Refuge staff uses a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Refuge staff carefully consider any management techniques and employ them in varying degrees according to the situation.

      • Conservation and Partnerships

      The Complex is involved in many conservation endeavors, including Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Private Landowner Programs, and the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.

        Click on the link below to learn more about what we do!

      Our Organization

      National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997:The NWRS Improvement Act defines a unifying mission for all refuges, including a process for determining compatible uses on refuges, and requiring that each refuge be managed according to a CCP. The NWRS Improvement  Act expressly states that wildlife conservation is the priority of System lands and that the Secretary shall ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge lands are maintained. Each refuge must be managed to fulfill the specific purposes for which the refuge was established and the System mission. The first priority of each refuge is to conserve, manage, and if needed, restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats according to its purpose.

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC

      Our Species

      Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is best known for migratory waterfowl. Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers regularly peak at over 300,000 ducks and 100,000 geese. The refuge supports one of the largest known populations of palmate-bracted birds-beak (Federally listed endangered plant species) and significant breeding colonies of tricolored blackbirds. Delevan is also an important wintering grounds for Tule Greater White-fronted Geese.

      Click on the link below to learn more about our Seasons of Wildlife, Wildlife Checklist, Wildlife Surveys, and Our Species....