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Location:
In the Mission Valley of Northwest Montana, within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. It is about 5 miles south of Ronan and 50 miles north of Missoula.Establishing Purpose:
To function "as a refuge and breeding ground for native birds." (Executive Order 3503, June 25, 1921)Acreage:
2,062 acresLandscape Characteristics:
- The wide intermountain valley sits at the base of the Mission Mountains.
- The valley was shaped by glacial activity which ended approximately 12,000 years ago and lies in the center of a terminal moraine. The terrain is rolling grassland habitat interspersed with numerous pothole wetlands which often contain water throughout the year.
- The Refuge is superimposed on a reservoir that contains about 1,672 acres of water at full pool level. The BIA Flathead Irrigation Project manages the reservoir for irrigation and flood control.
- The Refuge consists of 390 acres of upland habitat in a narrow band around the reservoir.
- Grasslands surrounding the refuge include 3,420 acres of State Game Management Area, approximately 3,000 acres of Tribal lands and 2,000 acres of FWS conservation easements.
- There are no developments or facilities on the refuge.
Wildlife:
- The wetland habitat supports abundant waterfowl species such as mallards, northern shovelers, gadwalls, redheads and ruddy ducks.
- It has become an important breeding and staging area for a large portion of the Flathead Valley Canada goose population.
- Red-necked grebes nest on the refuge, and the refuge also contains the Valley's only nesting western grebe colony.
- Other birds include song sparrows, yellow headed and red winged blackbirds, and ring necked pheasants.
- American bitterns and sora rails can often be seen and heard.
- Osprey nest on platforms on the south shore of the refuge.
- There is an active rookery of great blue herons and double crested cormorants.
- Grizzly bears will sometimes move down from the Mission Mountains to forage on the refuge.
- Common mammals include muskrat, striped skunk, mink, badgers, field mice, meadow voles and porcupines.
- Sportfish 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- Lands within the boundary were first withdrawn for an irrigation reservoir as part of the Flathead Project in 1910.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 national wildlife refuges. The payment included $50,644 for the permanent easement at Ninepipe 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:
- Fishing is allowed from the shore on Ninepipe NWR in accordance with applicable State and Tribal regulations. Ice fishing is also permitted.
- Photography and wildlife observation are encouraged. There is a Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area off Highway 93. This was established jointly by the USFWS, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. There is a short, accessible trail along the shore of Ninepipe Reservoir with interpretive signs discussing wildlife and habitat.
- Portions of the refuge are closed during 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 Ninepipe 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. @
- Cattle grazing is conducted with a deferred rotational system worked out with the Tribes and allowed with a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Last updated:
February 24, 2008
