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Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
Map of the United States
Location	Imperial County, California, La Paz County, Arizona, and Yuma County, Arizona, USA
Nearest city	Yuma, ArizonaNearest city: Yuma, Arizona
Coordinates	33°0′N 114°30′W / 33°N 114.5°W / 33; -114.5Coordinates: 33°0′N 114°30′W / 33°N 114.5°W / 33; -114.5
Area	25,768 acres (104 km2)
Established	1941 Established: 1941
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The Imperial National Wildlife Refuge protects wildlife habitat along 30 miles (50 km) of the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California, including the last un-channeled section before the river enters Mexico. The river and its associated backwater lakes and wetlands are a green oasis, contrasting with the surrounding desert mountains. It is a refuge and breeding area for migratory birds and local desert wildlife.^[1]

Wildlife

Even though it is located in the Colorado Desert(an extension of the Sonoran Desert), Imperial NWR is home to a mostly wetland environment. Wetland wildlife is most abundant in winter, when birds such as cinnamon teal and northern pintail use the refuge. During the summer months, permanent residents such as great egrets are abundant. The Colorado River plays a vital role in the lives of desert fauna. It is the only water source in the area. Small animals such as black-tailed jackrabbits and western whiptail lizards are plentiful. Desert bighorn sheep and mule deer also call the refuge home.^[1]

Birds

(For full list and abundance, see Bird Checklists of the U.S. - Imperial NWR

Forest in the Desert

Mesquite Point in Imperial NWR

At one time, the banks of the Colorado River were lined with cottonwood and willow forests, sustained by the river’s natural periodic flooding. Animals depended on this green forest oasis for breeding, resting, feeding, and shade. Woodcutting during the steamboat era, clearing for agriculture, wild fire, exotic plants like salt cedar, and use of dams for flood prevention have devastated cottonwood and willow stands along the lower Colorado River. Some animals that depend on these forests, such as the southwestern willow flycatcher, have become endangered.^[1]

Trails

The Painted Desert Trail is a 1.3-mile self-guided trail for an opportunity to see desert plants and wildlife. The trail takes you through a rainbow of colors left by 30,000 year-old volcanic activity and features a panoramic view of the Colorado River valley.

See also

• Colorado River
• Colorado Desert
• Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge

References