Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Difference between revisions

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/ |url-status=live|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.{{fact|date=November 2021}}

*[https://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]