Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge is an 11,038 acre (45 km²) wildlife refuge located in Mississippi County, Arkansas managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
.
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson
after local residents became concerned that agricultural interests were destroying the natural environment of the area. It is situated 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Manila, Arkansas
. 5,000 acres (20 km²) of Big Lake is classified as a National Natural Landmark
and 2,100 acres (8 km²) are classified as wilderness.
The refuge consists of 5,250 acres (21 km²) of swampland, 2,600 acres (11 km²) of open water, 2,100 acres (8 km²) of bottomland hardwoods, 3300 acres (13 km²) of marsh, and 282 acres (1 km²) of other types. The contiguous Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area, owned and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, contributes an additional 3166 acres (12.8 km²) that are also protected and managed for native wildlife.
The area that makes up the refuge was originally part of a free-flowing river system but the New Madrid Earthquake
s of 1811 and 1812 changed the topography into the swampy wetlands seen today.
The refuge was once a portion of the Mississippi River
but now the Little River flows through the refuge. A large network of man-made ditches in the Missouri
bootheel region drain 2,000 miles (3,000 km) of farmland through the refuge. This non-natural drainage adversely affects the refuge itself.
Big Lake plays host to wintering and migrating ducks. The area is also the habitat for the bald eagle
and osprey
.
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
.
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1915 by President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
after local residents became concerned that agricultural interests were destroying the natural environment of the area. It is situated 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Manila, Arkansas
Manila, Arkansas
Manila is a city in Mississippi County, Arkansas, United States. The population was 3,055 at the 2000 census. It was the hometown of World War I sniper Herman Davis...
. 5,000 acres (20 km²) of Big Lake is classified as a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
and 2,100 acres (8 km²) are classified as wilderness.
The refuge consists of 5,250 acres (21 km²) of swampland, 2,600 acres (11 km²) of open water, 2,100 acres (8 km²) of bottomland hardwoods, 3300 acres (13 km²) of marsh, and 282 acres (1 km²) of other types. The contiguous Hornersville Swamp Conservation Area, owned and managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, contributes an additional 3166 acres (12.8 km²) that are also protected and managed for native wildlife.
The area that makes up the refuge was originally part of a free-flowing river system but the New Madrid Earthquake
New Madrid earthquake
The 1811-1812 New Madrid earthquakes were an intense intraplate earthquake series beginning with an initial pair of very large earthquakes on December 16, 1811. These earthquakes remain the most powerful earthquakes ever to hit the eastern United States in recorded history...
s of 1811 and 1812 changed the topography into the swampy wetlands seen today.
The refuge was once a portion of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
but now the Little River flows through the refuge. A large network of man-made ditches in the Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
bootheel region drain 2,000 miles (3,000 km) of farmland through the refuge. This non-natural drainage adversely affects the refuge itself.
Big Lake plays host to wintering and migrating ducks. The area is also the habitat for the bald eagle
Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle is a bird of prey found in North America. It is the national bird and symbol of the United States of America. This sea eagle has two known sub-species and forms a species pair with the White-tailed Eagle...
and osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
.