Klamath Marsh
National Wildlife Refuge
Oregon

Klamath Marsh Refuge was established in 1958 when approximately 16,400 acres were purchased from the Klamath Indians with Federal Duck Stamp Funds. In 1990 and 1998, additional acquisitions boosted Refuge acreage to 40,646. Originally designated as Klamath Forest National Wildlife Refuge, the Refuge was recently renamed as virtually all of the historic Klamath Marsh now lies within Refuge boundaries. This large natural marsh provides important nesting, feeding, and resting habitat for waterfowl, while the surrounding meadowlands are attractive nesting and feeding areas for sandhill crane, yellow rail, and various shorebirds and raptors. The adjacent pine forests also support diverse wildlife including great gray owl and Rocky Mountain elk. During summer months, opportunities to canoe in Wocus Bay allow wildlife observation and great scenery.

Refuge Objectives:

• Manage for the conservation and recovery of endangered, threatened, sensitive species and the habitats on which they depend.
  
• Provide and enhance habitat for fall and spring migrant waterfowl.
  
• Protect native habitats and wildlife representative of the natural biological diversity of the Klamath Basin.
  
• Provide high quality wildlife-dependent visitor services which are compatible with refuge purposes and cultural resource protection.
  

Significant Species:

• American bald eagle
  
• American white pelican
  
• Peregrine falcon
  
• Peregrine falcon
  
• Pintail, mallard, gadwall, canvasback, redhead
  
• Wood duck
  
• Black tern
  
• Yellow rail
  
• Great gray owl
  
• Sandhill crane
  
• Rocky Mountain elk
  
• Spotted frog
  
• Wocus-yellow pond lily
  

Current Issues of Concern:

• Loss of wetlands. The Klamath Basin has lost 80% of its original wetlands
  
• Degraded water quality.
  
• Water quantity during drought years (balancing wildlife needs with basin agricultural demands). Water rights adjudication.
  
• Native American Trust responsibilities on Refuge lands.
  
• Protection of significant cultural resource values.
  
• Effects of cyclic grasshopper irruptions on adjacent lands.
  

Ongoing Management Activities:

• Continued land acquisition.
  
• Intensive marsh management via prescribed burning and livestock grazing/haying.
  

Public Use:

• Wildlife viewing areas
  
• Wildlife Auto Routes
  
• Waterfowl Hunting
  
• Fishing
  
• Canoe Trail
• Visitor Contact Station   intermittently staffed