Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Difference between revisions

| website = [http{{Official website|https://www.fws.gov/refuge/steigerwald_lake/ Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge]}}

The '''Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge''' is a {{convert|1,049|acre|km2 ha|adj=on}} riverine flood plain habitat, semi-permanent [[wetland]] on the [[Columbia River]], {{convert|10|mi|km}} east of [[Vancouver, Washington]], with [[Populus trichocarpa|cottonwood]]-dominated [[riparian]] corridors, pastures, and remnant stands of [[Oregon white oak]]. The largest wetland restoration project on the lower Columbia River involves removing about {{convert|2 |miles}} of [[levee]]s separating the refuge from the river to restore {{convert|965| acres}} of [[floodplain]] habitat.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Profita|first=Cassandra |date=November 26, 2021|title=Restored wetland could become a place for tribes to harvest wapato|url=https://www.opb.org/article/2021/11/26/restoring-wetlands-columbia-river-tribes-harvest-wapato/ |access-date=2021-11-27|work=OPB News|language=en}}</ref>

The refuge lies partly within the [[Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area]], and serves as the operational headquarters for the {{convert|329|acre|km2|adj=on}} [[Pierce National Wildlife Refuge]]. It has been designated as the site of the "Gateway to the Gorge" visitor center. This facility iswas completedinthelate planning2022.<ref>{{cite stageweb with|title=Community aCelebrates portionNew ofBuilding itsat constructionRidgefield fundsNational alreadyWildlife securedRefuge {{!}} U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |url=https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2022-12/community-celebrates-new-building-ridgefield-national-wildlife-refuge |website=FWS.gov |language=en |date=16 December 2022}}</ref> The [[Washington Department of Transportation]] has estimated that this facility may be used by as many as 100,000 visitors annually, providing the it with one of the best outreach opportunities in the Pacific Northwest. The refuge also serves as the operational headquarters for the {{convert|329fact|acre|km2|adjdate=onNovember 2021}} [[Pierce National Wildlife Refuge]].

*[httphttps://www.fws.gov/refuge/steigerwald_lake/ Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge] - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [https://refuge2020.info/steigerwald-reconnection-project Restoration page]