Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | Skamania County, Washington |
| Nearest city | Washougal |
| Area | 551.73 acres (223.28 ha) |
| Established | 1990 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge |
Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in southwest Washington state. It is part of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This refuge is like a big home for many different plants and animals. It has wet areas called wetlands, forests with willow and cottonwood trees, and even older fir and cedar trees. You can also find open fields and many small streams here.
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Amazing Animals of Franz Lake
This refuge is a great spot for many kinds of wildlife. Two lakes, Franz and Arthur, have lots of a plant called wapato. This plant is very important for tundra swans in winter. Sometimes, more than 1,000 tundra swans can be seen on Franz Lake!
Waterfowl and Wading Birds
Many other waterfowl (birds that live on water) also visit. These include western Canada geese, mallards, northern pintails, and American wigeon. You might also spot great blue herons and rails, which are wading birds. They like the grassy meadows and cattail ponds.
Other Wildlife You Might See
The refuge is home to many other creatures too. Look for gulls, band-tailed pigeons, and red-tailed hawks flying overhead. On the ground, you might see killdeer, western painted turtles, and California ground squirrels. If you are lucky, you might even spot Pacific tree frogs, western toads, or garter snakes.
Salmon and Streams
Several small springs and wet spots in the refuge are very important. They are special places where young Coho salmon and other young salmonid fish grow up. These areas help the baby fish get strong before they go out into bigger waters.
Visiting the Refuge
You can see Franz Lake National Wildlife Refuge from a special viewpoint. This spot is located off the refuge along State Highway 14. If you want to learn even more, you can also arrange group tours. It's a wonderful place to connect with nature!
