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Location:
In the Mission Valley of Northwest Montana, within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. It is about 2 miles south of Polson and 75 miles north of Missoula.Establishing Purpose:
To function A as a refuge and breeding ground for native birds. @ (Executive Order 3504, June 25, 1921)Acreage:
2,542 acresLandscape Characteristics
- The valley sits at the base of the Mission Mountains and was shaped by glacial activity that ended approximately 12,000 years ago.
- The grassland terrain is rolling and interspersed with numerous pothole wetlands which often contain water throughout the year.
- The Refuge is superimposed on a reservoir that contains about 1,850 acres of water at full pool level. The BIA Flathead Irrigation Project manages the reservoir for irrigation and flood control.
- The Refuge consists of 692 acres of uplands in a narrow band around the reservoir.
- A small stand of cottonwoods grow at the north end of the refuge.
- Many willows grow along the southern and western edge of the reservoir.
- There are no developments or facilities on the refuge.
Wildlife
- The wetland habitat supports abundant waterfowl species such as Canada geese, mallards, redheads, pintails, American widgeon, northern shovelers, blueB and greenB winged teal, ruddy ducks, and gadwalls.
- Common mergansers, western and redB necked grebes and American coots nest and forage on the refuge.
- Yellow warblers, warbling vireos, American robins, and yellow-rumped warblers nest and forage in the cottonwoods and willows.
- It has an active bald eagle nest which fledges young most years.
- In 1996, a release of 19 trumpeter swans was conducted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, in coordination with MT Dept. Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, to help establish a breeding flock in the valley.
- At least one individual, or pair of common loons are seen almost every year during the nesting season, but a nest has yet to be confirmed.
- Common mammals include muskrat, striped skunk, mink, badgers, field mice, meadow voles and porcupines.
- Sport fish include yellow perch and largemouth bass.
History
- The Refuge is located on Tribal Trust Lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
- Lands within the boundary were first withdrawn for an irrigation reservoir as part of the Flathead Project in 1910.
- The Refuge was established in 1921 by Executive Order on this same land, subject to reservoir uses at the request of the Tribes. The refuge is operated as an A easement@ refuge, meaning only rights pertaining to management of wildlife and their habitat were purchased. The Tribes retained those other uses which are compatible with the purpose of the refuge.
- A 1948 Act of Congress reimbursed the Tribes $400,000 for all past and future uses of certain reservation lands for physical works and facilities of the Flathead project irrigation and power systems and for wildlife refuges. The payment included $68,712 for the easement at Pablo National Wildlife Refuge.
- The Refuge is operated by the Fish and Wildlife Service under agreement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Flathead Irrigation Project and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
Cultural Resources
- The Refuge is located on Tribal Trust Lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
- Tribal members harvest plants throughout the reservation for food and medicinal uses.
Recreational Uses
- Shoreline fishing is allowed on Pablo in accordance with applicable State and Tribal regulations. Ice fishing is also permitted.
- Photography and wildlife observation are encouraged. There is vehicle access along roads across the dam and along the north side of the Refuge.
- Portions of the refuge are closed in the spring to minimize human disturbance to nesting birds.
- The Refuge is closed to hunting. Adjoining state-owned lands are managed for wildlife cover, food production and public hunting. The closure of Pablo enhances the quality of hunting in the Flathead Valley by providing a sanctuary which may keep more birds in the area for a longer period of time.
Other Uses
- The 1948 Act stated that the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes A shall have the right to use such Tribal lands, and to grant leases or concessions thereon, for any and all uses not inconsistent with such permanent easement.@
- The upland area is used by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal members for farming and grazing under permits issued by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in conjunction with a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Last updated:
February 24, 2008
