Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge


	Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
	509 Old Highway 165 Eufaula, AL 36027 E-mail: eufaula@fws.gov Phone Number: 334-687-4065
	Visit the Refuge's Web Site: http://www.fws.gov/eufaula/	With more than 280 bird species throughout the year, including resident wood ducks, Eufaula NWR (AL and GA) is a birder's paradise. (Photo - Quincy Banks)

Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1964, on the Walter F. George Reservoir (Lake Eufaula) in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers (COE). The reservoir resulted from impoundment of the Chattahoochee River between Alabama and Georgia. The Refuge, lying on the upper reaches of the reservoir, consists of 11,184 acres. There are 7,953 acres in Barbour and Russell Counties, Alabama, and 3,231 in Stewart and Quitman Counties, Georgia.

Getting There . . .
The Refuge is located about 40 miles south of Columbus, Georgia and 80 miles east of Montgomery, Alabama. Much of the refuge lies within the city limits of Eufaula, Alabama. The headquarters is seven miles north of Eufaula off U.S. Highway 431 on Alabama Highway 285 (also known as Old Alabama State Route 165).

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The refuge lies on the eastern edge of the Mississippi Flyway in Alabama and Georgia.

The Georgia Unit consists of shoreline along the Chattahoochee River and the Bradley Impoundment. The Bradley Impoundment is comprised of wetlands, agricultural fields, and timberlands. The Alabama portion of the refuge includes the Davis Clark Unit, the Kennedy Impoundment, the Houston Unit, the Molnar Unit, the Upland Unit, and many miles of shoreline along the western edge of the Chattahoochee River and Lake Eufaula. The land of the Alabama portion is a mosaic of wetlands, croplands, woodlands, and grasslands.

The varied habitats provide adequate shelter for migratory waterfowl and neotropical migratory birds. Wildlife species such as deer, turkey, quail, dove, hawks, owls, rabbits, squirrel, otters, coyote, bobcat and beaver to name a few are present on the refuge throughout the year. Other inhabitants include large populations of reptiles, amphibians, insects and fishes. The habitat of Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge also provides protection for endangered and threatened species such as the bald eagle, wood stork, American alligator and the occasional peregrine falcon.

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Muscogee Creek Indians once inhabited the land now known as the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge.

Hardwood trees dominated the landscape and the rivers edges were filled with Muscogee Creek Indian villages. In the 1800s European settlers moved into the area and a prosperous town developed. The town, which served as a port city for steamboats along the Chattahoochee River, was named Irwinton after the founder. Irwintons name was later changed to Eufaula in honor of a local indian tribe. As the town of Eufaula expanded the hardwood trees were cleared for agriculture. After World War II local residents reforested the previously cleared land with pine plantations. In 1963 the Corps of Engineers impounded a portion of the Chattahoochee River to improve navigation. The dam created Lake Walter F. George / Lake Eufaula. Local Eufaulians wanted to provide a place for migratory waterfowl and other resident wildlife species, while providing beautiful natural scenery. In 1964 the residents were pleased by the creation of the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge. A positive bond still exists between the Eufaula NWR and the greater Eufaula community.

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Eufaula NWR now featured on video DVD

"AMERICA'S WILDEST PLACES" – Volume 1

Experience eight National Wildlife Refuges from Alaska to the Caribbean on this new two hour DVD.

See wildlife up close and personal – from grizzly bear and whooping cranes to red wolves and bald eagles. For more information, click on the photograph of the DVD cover.

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Peak wintering populations of ducks reached over 40,000 in the mid-1970's. In recent years, populations have peaked at 12,000-20,000. Few migrant geese use Eufaula Refuge, but a resident Canada goose population now totals about 2,000. The Refuge supports large breeding and wintering populations of raptors including bald eagles and osprey. Numerous osprey and several active bald eagles are in the refuge area. Several large rookeries are located on the refuge consisting of hundreds of great blue heron, great egret, snowy egret, little blue heron, anhinga and cattle egrets. The refuge supports large populations of herons and other marsh birds year-round. About 100 woodstorks are present during spring and summer and several hundred sandhill cranes winter on the refuge. It is possible that the soon to be established eastern population of whooping cranes will use Eufaula Refuge during its migration flight. An abundance of other migratory birds are seasonally present.

Resident wildlife, including bobwhite quail, wild turkey, beaver, fox, raccoon, opossum, bobcat, swamp and cottontail rabbits, and white-tailed deer are present in high numbers. A healthy, growing population of threatened American alligators exists in refuge wetlands.

Driving Directions The Refuge is located about 40 miles south of Columbus, Georgia and 80 miles east of Montgomery, Alabama. Much of the refuge lies within the city limits of Eufaula, Alabama. The headquarters is seven miles north of Eufaula off U.S. Highway 431 on Alabama Highway 285 (also known as Old Alabama State Route 165).