Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge

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]

For the town of the same name, see Felsenthal, Arkansas.
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 Refuge
Map showing the location of Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
Map of the United States
LocationArkansas, United States
Nearest cityCrossett, Arkansas
Coordinates33°05′25″N 92°08′31″W
Area76,000 acres (310 km2)
Elevation65 feet is the normal navigation pool elevation above the mean sea level[1]
Established1975
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteFelsenthal NWR

Habitat and Wildlife

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]

History

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.

References
  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.
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