Sample Refuge Descriptions
Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge Description Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1937 as Mud Lake Refuge, was renamed in 1961 for this vast, ancient body of water – Glacial Lake Agassiz – that produced the exceedingly flat terrain that characterizes the area today. Located in northwestern Minnesota, the Refuge lies in the aspen parkland transitional zone between the coniferous or boreal forest to the north and east and the tallgrass prairie and prairie pothole provinces to the west and south. This diversity of habitats in turn supports a wide array of resident and migratory wildlife, including 300 species of birds, 50 species of mammals, 12 species of amphibians, and 9 species of reptiles. The Refuge includes 26 impoundments (known variously as lakes, ponds,wetlands) and 3 natural lakes. Whiskey Lake and Kuriko Lake are located within the Refuge’s designated Wilderness Area and Webster Lake is located in the northeast corner of the Refuge. The artificial impoundments vary widely in size, ranging from 30 acres to the approximately 10,000 acres that comprise Agassiz Pool. Water is contained within the impoundments by an extensive network of dikes. Water levels can be raised or lowered in any given impoundment by adjusting water control structures at pool outlets. The Refuge’s dominant geographic features are its impoundments with their emergent marshes, mudflats, and open water. They are also the focus of the Refuge’s aquatic habitat management efforts on behalf of migratory birds. Agassiz NWR is a key breeding ground for 17 species of ducks and it is an important migration rest stop for waterfowl, and shorebirds. As many as 75,000 ducks, 15,000 geese and 1,500 sandhill cranes use the refuge as a migratory stopover site. It is also noted for two resident packs of gray wolves, moose, and nesting Bald Eagles. Area Economy Agassiz NWR is located in northwestern Minnesota. Table 3-1 shows the area economy. The area population increased by 1 percent from 2001 to 2011, compared with a 7 percent increase for Minnesota and a 9 percent increase for the U.S. as a whole. Area employment increased by 8 percent from 2001 to 2011, with Minnesota showing a 4 percent increase and the U.S. a 6 percent increase. Area per capita income increased by 26 percent over the 2001-2011 period, while Minnesota and the U.S. both increased by 5 percent.
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