Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Buffalo Lake |
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Blind for wildlife viewing at Buffalo Lake NWR
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 Buffalo Lake
Location in Texas
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| Location | Randall County, Texas, United States |
| Area | 31 km2 (12 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,140 m (3,740 ft) |
| Established | National Wildlife Refuge |
| Operator | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area in Randall County, Texas. It's a safe home for many animals and plants. This refuge helps protect different types of land. You can find prairies, marshes, and even canyons here. It's a great place for birds that travel long distances.
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Discover Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge is located in the Texas Panhandle. It covers about 7,664 acres of land. That's like having over 5,800 football fields! It's a mix of different habitats. These include grassy shortgrass prairies, wet marshes, and woodlands. There are also canyons carved by water. All these different places provide homes for wildlife.
Home to Many Animals
Buffalo Lake is a perfect spot for many animals. You can find black-tailed prairie dogs living here. These small animals dig tunnels and live in colonies. Another interesting resident is the burrowing owl. These owls often live in abandoned prairie dog burrows. Many other species also call this refuge home. It's especially important for migratory birds. They stop here to rest and find food during their long journeys.
A National Natural Landmark
A part of Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is very special. About 175 acres of the refuge is a National Natural Landmark. This means it has unique natural features. These features are important for science and education. They are protected so everyone can learn from them.
The Story of Buffalo Lake
The refuge is located within a canyon. This canyon was carved by a stream called Tierra Blanca Creek. This creek is an ephemeral stream. This means it doesn't always have water. Sometimes it dries up completely. But when there are heavy rains, it can have a lot of water.
Dealing with Flash Floods
The area can get strong thunderstorms. These storms can cause flash floods. A flash flood is when a lot of water rushes very quickly. To control these floods, a large structure was built. It's called Umbarger Dam.
Forming Buffalo Lake
Umbarger Dam was built to hold back the water from Tierra Blanca Creek. This created Buffalo Lake inside the refuge. The lake is not very deep. It provides a key resting place for birds that are migrating. They use the lake to roost, which means to rest or sleep.
