Great River National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The Great River National Wildlife Refuge protects approximately 11600 acres (46.9 km²) along 120 miles (193.1 km) of the Mississippi River
, stretching north of St. Louis, Missouri
. Three separate units are located in the floodplain
, on both the Illinois
and Missouri
sides of the river.
In 1998, the Great River Refuge was designated as a globally important bird area, due to its value to shorebirds, songbird
s, and waterfowl
. The refuge's proximity to St. Louis provides excellent educational opportunities to a large population.
The Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
is also under the administration of the Great River Refuge. Great River Refuge, in turn, is part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
, which also includes Port Louisa
, Two Rivers
, and Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
s. The complex headquarters is in Quincy, Illinois
.
.
The division is General Plan Land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under a cooperative agreement signed in 1963. In 1986, another cooperative agreement was signed with the Corps of Engineers adding the 1450 acres (5.9 km²) Bear Creek Unit to the division.
Funds from the sale of migratory waterfowl stamps were used to acquire fee title land in 1965 and 1976 for the 1737 acres (7 km²) Delair Division. The division lies completely within the 52 miles (83.7 km)-long Sny Agricultural Levee District and is separated from the river by the main-line Sny levee.
Fox Island Division is the most recent addition to Great River Refuge. Once again, fee title land was purchased with funds from the sale of migratory waterfowl stamps in 1989, 1996 and 1997. Purchases made in the 1990s were in response to the record flood in 1993, which created an opportunity to purchase many hard-hit floodplain areas from willing sellers.
Great River Refuge also administers two fee title tracts that were formerly Farmer's Home Administration easements. These lands include the 38 acres (153,780.7 m²) Winters tract in Lewis County and the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) Owens tract in Clark County
in Missouri.
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...
, stretching north of St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. Three separate units are located in the floodplain
Floodplain
A floodplain, or flood plain, is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent a stream or river that stretches from the banks of its channel to the base of the enclosing valley walls and experiences flooding during periods of high discharge...
, on both the Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and 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...
sides of the river.
In 1998, the Great River Refuge was designated as a globally important bird area, due to its value to shorebirds, songbird
Songbird
A songbird is a bird belonging to the suborder Passeri of the perching birds . Another name that is sometimes seen as scientific or vernacular name is Oscines, from Latin oscen, "a songbird"...
s, and waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
. The refuge's proximity to St. Louis provides excellent educational opportunities to a large population.
The Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
The Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge is located in the floodplain of the Mississippi River, adjacent to Pool No. 25. The refuge's diversity of habitats supports waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and songbirds...
is also under the administration of the Great River Refuge. Great River Refuge, in turn, is part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex
The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex was established for the protection of migratory birds including waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds. It is located along the Mississippi Flyway, one of the major routes for migrating waterfowl...
, which also includes Port Louisa
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge
Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Mississippi River at the border of Illinois and Iowa. The refuge is east of Wapello, in Louisa County, Iowa and in Mercer County, Illinois.- External links :*...
, Two Rivers
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Illinois River and the Mississippi River in parts of Calhoun, Jersey, and Greene counties in Illinois, and St. Charles County, Missouri. It is managed by the U.S...
, and Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge
The Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Mississippi River downstream from St. Louis, Missouri. It is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex....
s. The complex headquarters is in Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a...
.
History
Long Island Division, near Quincy, Illinois, was part of the original Mark Twain Refuge when it was established in 1958 under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination ActFish and Wildlife Coordination Act
The Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of the United States was enacted March 10, 1934 to protect fish and wildlife when federal actions result in the control or modification of a natural stream or body of water...
.
The division is General Plan Land owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under a cooperative agreement signed in 1963. In 1986, another cooperative agreement was signed with the Corps of Engineers adding the 1450 acres (5.9 km²) Bear Creek Unit to the division.
Funds from the sale of migratory waterfowl stamps were used to acquire fee title land in 1965 and 1976 for the 1737 acres (7 km²) Delair Division. The division lies completely within the 52 miles (83.7 km)-long Sny Agricultural Levee District and is separated from the river by the main-line Sny levee.
Fox Island Division is the most recent addition to Great River Refuge. Once again, fee title land was purchased with funds from the sale of migratory waterfowl stamps in 1989, 1996 and 1997. Purchases made in the 1990s were in response to the record flood in 1993, which created an opportunity to purchase many hard-hit floodplain areas from willing sellers.
Great River Refuge also administers two fee title tracts that were formerly Farmer's Home Administration easements. These lands include the 38 acres (153,780.7 m²) Winters tract in Lewis County and the 80 acres (323,748.8 m²) Owens tract in Clark County
Clark County, Missouri
Clark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2010, the population was 7,139. Its county seat is Kahoka. The county was organized in 1836 and named after William Clark, leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and later a Governor of Missouri Territory.Clark County is part...
in Missouri.