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Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge

Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge
Location Clatsop County, Oregon
Nearest city Astoria
Coordinates 46°12′59″N 123°38′04″W / 46.2164977°N 123.6345810°W / 46.2164977; -123.6345810Coordinates: 46°12′59″N 123°38′04″W / 46.2164977°N 123.6345810°W / 46.2164977; -123.6345810
Area 12,167 acres (4,924 ha)
Established 1972 (1972)
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website Lewis and Clark NWR

Lewis and Clark National Wildlife Refuge, near the mouth of the Columbia River, provides wintering and resting areas for an estimated 1,000 tundra swans, 5,000 geese, and 30,000 ducks. Other species include shorebirds and bald eagles.

Estuary waters provide vital food resources for juvenile salmon as they pause to become acclimated to salt water before entering the Pacific Ocean. Bald eagles are present year-round; there are 30 to 35 active nest sites.

Other fish species using the estuary include American shad, smelt, perch, starry flounder, bass, catfish, and Pacific lamprey. Harbor seals use sandbars and mud flats as resting sites at low tides, while seals and California sea lions feed on fish in the estuary. Beaver, raccoon, weasel, mink, muskrat, and river otter also live on the islands.

Aerial view of Lois Island

Aerial view of Russian Island

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.


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