Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (original) (raw)

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Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Felsenthal Lock and Dam, impounding the Felsenthal basin (historically called Lake Jack Lee)
Map showing the location of Felsenthal National Wildlife RefugeMap showing the location of Felsenthal National Wildlife RefugeMap of the United States
Location Arkansas, United States
Nearest city Crossett, Arkansas
Coordinates 33°05′25″N 92°08′31″W / 33.090409°N 92.141819°W / 33.090409; -92.141819
Area 76,000 acres (310 km2)
Elevation 65 feet is the normal navigation pool elevation above the mean sea level[1]
Established 1975
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website Felsenthal NWR

The Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a 76,000 acre (307.56 km2) national wildlife refuge located in south-central Arkansas in Ashley, Bradley, and Union counties. Felsenthal NWR is one of three refuges forming an administrative complex, which also includes Pond Creek NWR to the northwest and Overflow NWR to the east.[2]

Habitat and wildlife

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Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a wetlands complex located on the confluence of the Saline and Ouachita Rivers. The refuge is dissected by an intricate system of rivers, creeks, sloughs, and lakes throughout a bottomland hardwood forest that rises to an upland forest community. The Felsenthal basin holds approximately 15,000 acres of water that can double to over 36,000 acres during periods of heavy flooding.[3]

Felsenthal NWR's habitat diversity supports a large amount of biodiversity. Over 1,150 species of plants and animals have been documented on the refuge.[4] Felsenthal NWR is the only national wildlife refuge in Arkansas with a population of the federally-protected red-cockaded woodpecker.[5] The refuge has been recognized as part of a globally Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.[6]

Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1975 as mitigation for the creation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Ouachita-Black Rivers Navigation Project and Felsenthal Lock and Dam.[7] The refuge also protects over 200 Native American archaeological sites, primarily of Caddo origin.[8] These sites include the remains of seasonal fishing camps, ceremonial plazas, temple mounds, and large villages. Archaeological sites are closed to the public to protect them from degradation.

  1. ^ Ouachita and Black Rivers Nine-foot Navigation Project (AR,LA) | U.S. Army Engineer District, Vicksburg, Mississippi | 1974
  2. ^ "About Us: Other Facilities in this Complex". Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  3. ^ Felsenthal and Overflow National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan (PDF). Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. October 2010. p. 55. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Species List". FWSpecies. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  5. ^ Felsenthal and Overflow National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan (PDF). Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. October 2010. p. 13. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Shugart/Felsenthal Red-cockaded Woodpecker". Audubon. National Audubon Society. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  7. ^ Felsenthal and Overflow National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan (PDF). Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. October 2010. p. 26. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  8. ^ Felsenthal and Overflow National Wildlife Refuges Comprehensive Conservation Plan (PDF). Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region. October 2010. p. 51. Retrieved 3 June 2022.