East Cove National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Cove National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 East Cove National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Cameron Parish, Louisiana |
| Nearest city | Lake Charles, Louisiana |
| Area | 14,927 acres (60.41 km2) |
| Established | 1937 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | East Cove National Wildlife Refuge |
The East Cove National Wildlife Refuge is a special protected area for wildlife. It is located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, south of Lake Charles, Louisiana. You can find it along the southeast shore of Calcasieu Lake. This refuge is unique because you can only reach it by boat!
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages this refuge. It is part of a bigger group of protected lands called the Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The local office that helps run it is the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge office.
Contents
What is the East Cove Refuge?
The East Cove National Wildlife Refuge was created in 1937. Its main goal is to protect important wildlife and their homes. It covers about 14,927 acres (60.41 km2) of land and water.
Why is it important?
This refuge helps keep the natural environment safe. It provides a home for many different animals. Protecting these areas is important for the future of wildlife.
Wildlife and Habitat
The East Cove National Wildlife Refuge is mostly an estuarine marsh. An estuarine marsh is a wetland area where fresh water from rivers mixes with salty water from the ocean. This creates a unique environment. It is located in the middle of the Cameron Creole Watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common point.
Controlling the Water
To keep the marsh healthy, there are special controls. There are 19 miles of levees along the lake shore. Levees are like small walls that help control water. There are also five "water control structures." These are special gates or pumps. They help manage the amount of water and how salty it is in the wetland. This is very important for the plants and animals that live there.
Animals You Might Find
The refuge is full of life! It has many different kinds of animals. You can find lots of fish, shrimp, and crabs in the waters. It is also a very important stop for migratory birds. These are birds that travel long distances between their breeding and wintering grounds. You might even spot some alligators!
