Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge
in the floodplain of the lower Colorado River
between Arizona
and California
and surrounded by a fringe of desert
ridges and washes. The refuge encompasses both the historic Colorado River channel as well as a channelized portion constructed in the late 1960s. Along with these main waterbodies, several important backwater
s are home to many wildlife species that reside in this Yuma Desert
portion of the Sonoran Desert
. Because of the river's life-sustaining water, wildlife here survive in an environment that reaches 120 °F (48.9 °C) in the summer and receives an average of only 2 inches (5.1 cm) of rain per year.
for migratory birds. Over 250 species of birds have been identified at Cibola NWR, including Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Snowy Egrets, and the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Other species that inhabit the area include Mule Deer, Gamble's Quail, Bobcat, Golden Eagles, and Coyotes.
Invasive species
removal enhances the natural riparian habitat and provides hunting opportunities. In return, populations are regulated, and the sustainability of the ecosystem is maintained.
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
in the floodplain of the lower Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
between Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and surrounded by a fringe of desert
Desert
A desert is a landscape or region that receives an extremely low amount of precipitation, less than enough to support growth of most plants. Most deserts have an average annual precipitation of less than...
ridges and washes. The refuge encompasses both the historic Colorado River channel as well as a channelized portion constructed in the late 1960s. Along with these main waterbodies, several important backwater
Backwater (river)
A backwater is a part of a river in which there is little or no current. It refers either to a branch of a main river which lies alongside it and then rejoins it or to a body of water in a main river which is backed up by an obstruction such as the tide or a dam.-Alternative channel:If a river has...
s are home to many wildlife species that reside in this Yuma Desert
Yuma Desert
The Yuma Desert is a lower-elevation section of the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States and the northwest of Mexico. It is in the Salton basin. The desert contains areas of sparse vegetation and has notable areas of sand dunes. With an average rainfall less than 8 inches each...
portion of the Sonoran Desert
Sonoran Desert
The Sonoran Desert is a North American desert which straddles part of the United States-Mexico border and covers large parts of the U.S. states of Arizona and California and the northwest Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, and Baja California Sur. It is one of the largest and hottest...
. Because of the river's life-sustaining water, wildlife here survive in an environment that reaches 120 °F (48.9 °C) in the summer and receives an average of only 2 inches (5.1 cm) of rain per year.
Ecological importance
The Refuge is one of the last major stop overs of the Pacific FlywayPacific Flyway
The Pacific Flyway is a major north-south route of travel for migratory birds in America, extending from Alaska to Patagonia. Every year, migratory birds travel some or all of this distance both in spring and in fall, following food sources, heading to breeding grounds, or travelling to...
for migratory birds. Over 250 species of birds have been identified at Cibola NWR, including Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Snowy Egrets, and the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher. Other species that inhabit the area include Mule Deer, Gamble's Quail, Bobcat, Golden Eagles, and Coyotes.
Conservation
Cibola NWR undertakes major projects annually including the conservation of a desert pupfish population, one of three that exist in Arizona.Invasive species
Invasive species
"Invasive species", or invasive exotics, is a nomenclature term and categorization phrase used for flora and fauna, and for specific restoration-preservation processes in native habitats, with several definitions....
removal enhances the natural riparian habitat and provides hunting opportunities. In return, populations are regulated, and the sustainability of the ecosystem is maintained.