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Bill Williams River
National Wildlife Refuge
60911 Highway 95
Parker, AZ   85344
E-mail:
Phone Number: 928-667-4144
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/arizona/billwill.html
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  Overview
Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge
With its majestic rock cliffs; its ribbon of cool water running through classic Sonoran Desert; and its cattail-filled marsh harboring rails and waterfowl, Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge offers a little bit of something for both wildlife and people.This 6,105-acre refuge holds one of the last stands of natural cottonwood-willow forests along the lower Colorado River, creating a unique ecosytem that provides good habitat for resident and migratory wildlife. There are few places where one can stand, look at a Saguaro cactus, a cattail stand, and a cottonwood tree together. This unique blend of upland desert, marsh, and desert riparian haitat provides for a diverse array of birds, mammals, and reptiles. This diversity of wildlife includes: the southwestern willow flycatcher, vermillion flycatcher, yellow-billed cuckoo, western tanager, Lazuli bunting, Yuma clapper rail, beaver, bobcat, mountain lion, gray fox, javelina, mule deer,desert bighorn sheep, ringtailed cat, Razorback sucker and bontail chub.


Getting There . . .
To get to Bill Williams River NWR from Lake Havasu City, Arizona follow Arizona Highway 95 south approximately 23 miles. Headquarters are located between mileposts 160 and 161.

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Wildlife and Habitat
The rare riparian habitat of Bill Williams River NWR draws a variety of neotropical migratory birds - winging their way from Central and South America to their breeding grounds in the north. Bright colors from birds like the yellow warbler, vermillion flycatcher, and summer tanager flash like sparks in the desert sky as they flit across the riverbed.

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History
The lower Colorado River region is within the ancestral boundaries of the Mojave and Chemehuevi tribes whose legacies date back many thousands of years. Descendants of these tribes still use willow stems from the refuge for traditional Native American basket weaving.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Fishing
Hunting
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Managment Activities

Refuge staff use various management techniques to protect and restore the native plants and animals at Bill Williams River NWR. Cottonwood and willow trees are planted and maintained, salt cedar is controlled, and native fish are being reintroduced. The refuge is also working with the Army Corps of Engineers, the agency in charge of water releases from Alamo Dam, to return water flows in the Bill Williams River to a more natural state.