Summary
The refuge was established in 1939 and is managed by the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.
There are many good reasons to visit Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge. The area is home to a variety of wildlife species, including waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and big game animals like elk and deer. Visitors can enjoy hiking, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and fishing in the refuge's lakes and streams.
One of the main points of interest at Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge is the Black Coulee Dam, which was built in the 1930s to provide irrigation water for nearby farmland. The dam creates a large reservoir that is popular for fishing and boating.
Another interesting feature of the refuge is the presence of native prairie grasses and wildflowers, which provide habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. Visitors can also see evidence of the area's agricultural history, including old homesteads and abandoned farm equipment.
The best time of year to visit Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge depends on your interests. Spring and fall are popular for birdwatching, as many species migrate through the area during these seasons. Summer is a good time for fishing and boating on the reservoir, while winter offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful and unique natural area that offers a range of recreational opportunities and a chance to see a variety of wildlife species in their natural habitat.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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