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Chase Lake
National Wildlife Refuge		 A flock of American white pelicans sit closely together in the grass under a bright sky.
5924 19th Street SE
Woodworth, ND   58496
E-mail: chaselake@fws.gov
Phone Number: 701-752-4218
Visit the Refuge's Web Site:
http://chaselake.fws.gov		 American white pelicans
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  Overview
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of the nation's oldest refuges. It was established in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt. Located in the famous Prairie Pothole Region of the United States, the Refuge and surrounding area provide breeding and resting habitat for more than 293 bird species. Chase Lake NWR has been designated as one of America's Top 100 Globally Important Bird Areas (IBA) by the American Bird Conservancy.

The 4,385-acre Refuge includes Chase Lake itself, native prairie, dense nesting cover, and an amazing density of wetlands. The majority of this land has not been altered since Euro-American settlement times. Thus, Chase Lake NWR was designated as a Wilderness Area in 1975.

The Refuge is one unit within the Chase Lake Wetland Management District (WMD). Chase Lake WMD staff also manage 133 waterfowl production areas. The waterfowl production areas contain approximately 39,000 acres of prairie wetlands and grasslands in Stutsman and Wells Counties. The office headquarters for Chase Lake NWR and WMD is located 3 miles east of Woodworth, North Dakota.


Getting There . . .
Chase Lake NWR is located 10 miles north and 7 miles west of Medina, North Dakota. From Jamestown, travel west on I-94 to the Medina exit. Turn north and go 11 miles on County Highway 68. Turn west on the gravel road and drive 7 miles. Turn south and go 1 mile. The last 5 miles are "prairie trail" road. This is a minimum maintenance road that can be difficult to travel during wet conditions. However, this very scenic drive provides visitors a glimpse of how this country appeared during pre-settlement times.

Get Google map and directions to this refuge/WMD from a specified address:

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These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.

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Wildlife and Habitat
When the last glacier retreated from this area many years ago, it left an abundance of highly productive wetland basins.

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History
Chase Lake NWR was established as a reserve and breeding area for native birds, especially the few American white pelicans that remained in the early 1900s.

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    Recreation and Education Opportunities
Environmental Education
Hunting
Interpretation
Photography
Wildlife Observation
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Managment Activities

Managing Chase Lake NWR presents some unique challenges. The designation of the Refuge as a wilderness area prevents the use of motorized vehicles and mandates that the area's natural beauty and integrity be preserved. Land management practices currently used are prescribed fire and biological weed control.