Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is one of six refuges in the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
located in the Sacramento Valley
of north-central California
. The refuge is about 70 miles (112.7 km) north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento
.
The 4507 acres (18.2 km²) refuge primarily consists of intensively managed wetland
impoundment
s, with some grassland
and riparian habitat. The Sacramento Valley is one of the most important wintering areas for waterfowl in North America. Colusa National Wildlife Refuge typically supports wintering populations of more than 200,000 duck
s and 50,000 geese
.
Wetland impoundments are intensively managed to provide optimal habitat for the dense concentration of wintering waterfowl
, as well as habitat for resident wildlife and spring/summer migrants.
The grassland habitat supports several populations of endangered
and sensitive species of plants. The refuge is a stronghold for populations of the endangered palmate-bracted bird's-beak and the threatened
giant garter snake. About 35,000 visitors come to the refuge each year for wildlife viewing and 4,000 come to hunt waterfowl and pheasant
.
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex is part of the United States system of National Wildlife Refuges . It is located in northern California, in the valley of the Sacramento River....
located in the Sacramento Valley
Sacramento Valley
The Sacramento Valley is the portion of the California Central Valley that lies to the north of the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta in the U.S. state of California. It encompasses all or parts of ten counties.-Geography:...
of north-central 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...
. The refuge is about 70 miles (112.7 km) north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
.
The 4507 acres (18.2 km²) refuge primarily consists of intensively managed wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
impoundment
Impoundment
Impoundment is the election of a President of the United States not to spend money that has been appropriated by the U.S. Congress. The precedent for presidential impoundment was first set by Thomas Jefferson in 1801. The power was available to all presidents up to and including Richard Nixon, and...
s, with some grassland
Grassland
Grasslands are areas where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous plants . However, sedge and rush families can also be found. Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica...
and riparian habitat. The Sacramento Valley is one of the most important wintering areas for waterfowl in North America. Colusa National Wildlife Refuge typically supports wintering populations of more than 200,000 duck
Duck
Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered...
s and 50,000 geese
Goose
The word goose is the English name for a group of waterfowl, belonging to the family Anatidae. This family also includes swans, most of which are larger than true geese, and ducks, which are smaller....
.
Wetland impoundments are intensively managed to provide optimal habitat for the dense concentration of wintering waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
, as well as habitat for resident wildlife and spring/summer migrants.
The grassland habitat supports several populations of endangered
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
and sensitive species of plants. The refuge is a stronghold for populations of the endangered palmate-bracted bird's-beak and the threatened
Threatened species
Threatened species are any speciesg animals, plants, fungi, etc.) which are vulnerable to endangerment in the near future.The World Conservation Union is the foremost authority on threatened species, and treats threatened species not as a single category, but as a group of three categories,...
giant garter snake. About 35,000 visitors come to the refuge each year for wildlife viewing and 4,000 come to hunt waterfowl and pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
.