Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge
located where the Occoquan River
meets the Potomac River
in Woodbridge, Virginia
, United States
. The 644 acres (2.6 km²) site, about half of which is wetland
s, was used for military research by the U.S. Army's Harry Diamond Laboratories
from the 1960s to the 1990s, prior to which (until the 1940's) it was a popular tourist spot, known as Dawson Beach http://www.pwcgov.org/library/digitalLibrary/hsdw/A_Folder/ArmyEMPSimulatorOp76-392/pdfs/armyEMPsimulatoropPropHistA76-0392.pdf. When the land was purchased from the military, it was temporarily called the Marumsco National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was formally established and renamed in 1998, and is now run by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
as part of the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
.
The refuge has a mix of wetlands, forest, and native grasslands that provides a diversity of habitats for wide variety of species. Wetland habitats cover about 50% of the refuge and include wet meadows, bottomland hardwoods, open freshwater marsh, and tidally influenced marshes and streams. Upland meadows and mature oak-hickory-beech forest are interspersed among the wetlands. The unusual number and interspersion of habitats provides visitors an opportunity to view a wide variety of wildlife species and habitats in a relatively small area. Noted for its grassland nesting birds, neo-tropical migrants and raptors, the refuge also hosts wildlife common to Virginia. Over 220 species of birds, over 600 species of plants, and 65 species of butterflies have been documented on the refuge. Many of the bird species are uncommon or rare in the region.
There is a small entrance fee for anyone entering, by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot.
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...
located where the Occoquan River
Occoquan River
The Occoquan River is a tributary of the Potomac River in northern Virginia, in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The river is long, and its watershed covers about . It is formed by the confluence of Broad Run and Cedar Run in Prince William County; Bull Run enters it east-southeast of...
meets the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
in Woodbridge, Virginia
Woodbridge, Virginia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 31,941 people, 10,687 households, and 7,769 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 3,047.8 people per square mile . There were 11,026 housing units at an average density of 1,052.1/sq mi...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The 644 acres (2.6 km²) site, about half of which is 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....
s, was used for military research by the U.S. Army's Harry Diamond Laboratories
Harry Diamond Laboratories
The Harry Diamond Laboratories began in 1940, though that name was not given to the organization until 1962. In 1992, HDL was one of seven Army laboratories merged into a new organization, the Army Research Lab.- History :...
from the 1960s to the 1990s, prior to which (until the 1940's) it was a popular tourist spot, known as Dawson Beach http://www.pwcgov.org/library/digitalLibrary/hsdw/A_Folder/ArmyEMPSimulatorOp76-392/pdfs/armyEMPsimulatoropPropHistA76-0392.pdf. When the land was purchased from the military, it was temporarily called the Marumsco National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was formally established and renamed in 1998, and is now run by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
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...
as part of the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex
The Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a complex of three National Wildlife Refuges in Virginia, located along the Potomac River.The three refuges are:*Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge...
.
Geography and biodiversity
When the Army obtained the site in 1950, for a radio transmitting station, fields of antennas replaced cows and crops. In the 1970’s, the base’s mission shifted to top secret research. Electromagnetic pulse testing and sight lines for security kept the vegetation low, primarily in grasslands. When the base closed in the 1990’s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was able to continue to preserve these grasslands that had nurtured wildlife for so long.The refuge has a mix of wetlands, forest, and native grasslands that provides a diversity of habitats for wide variety of species. Wetland habitats cover about 50% of the refuge and include wet meadows, bottomland hardwoods, open freshwater marsh, and tidally influenced marshes and streams. Upland meadows and mature oak-hickory-beech forest are interspersed among the wetlands. The unusual number and interspersion of habitats provides visitors an opportunity to view a wide variety of wildlife species and habitats in a relatively small area. Noted for its grassland nesting birds, neo-tropical migrants and raptors, the refuge also hosts wildlife common to Virginia. Over 220 species of birds, over 600 species of plants, and 65 species of butterflies have been documented on the refuge. Many of the bird species are uncommon or rare in the region.
Visiting
Approximately 4 miles of old patrol roads are reserved for foot traffic, rotating between 3 two-mile loops. Information is posted at the visitor contact station and at trail heads. Wildlife Drive-2 miles of old patrol roads are reserved for motor vehicle and bicycle access. Vehicles can be a mobile blind, allowing visitors closer views. The blind effect is also why drivers and passengers must stay in their vehicles while on the drive.There is a small entrance fee for anyone entering, by vehicle, bicycle, or on foot.