Grulla National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grulla National Wildlife Refuge |
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Flat playa surface of Arch Lake
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| Location | Roosevelt County, New Mexico / Bailey County, Texas, United States |
| Area | 13.1 km2 (5.1 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,177 m (3,862 ft) |
| Established | 1969 |
| Operator | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Grulla NWR |
The Grulla National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in eastern New Mexico. It's mostly in Roosevelt County. A small part of it also reaches into Bailey County, Texas. This refuge is about 25 miles southeast of Portales, New Mexico. It's a protected area where animals can live safely.
Contents
What is Grulla Refuge's Main Feature?
The most important part of the Grulla National Wildlife Refuge is a special kind of lake. It's called an ephemeral salt lake or saline playa. This means it's a shallow basin that collects water. Water fills it up when there are heavy rains. But then, it often dries up completely because the sun makes the water evaporate.
Names of the Lake
This unique lake has been known by different names over time. Today, maps from the USGS call it "Salt Lake". In the 1880s, it was part of the DZ Ranch. People who knew the ranch often called it "DZ Lake". It's also frequently called "Arch Lake". This name comes from the nearby community of Arch, New Mexico.
Why is it Called Grulla?
The word grulla comes from the Spanish language. It means "crane". This name is perfect for the refuge. When the lake has water, it becomes a home for sandhill cranes. These large birds love to visit the area.
What Animals Live Here?
Besides the sandhill cranes, many other birds live in the refuge. The wide grasslands are perfect for them. You might see ring-necked pheasants. There are also lesser prairie chickens and scaled quails. These birds find food and shelter in the refuge's natural environment.
Visiting the Refuge
The Grulla National Wildlife Refuge is a very natural place. It does not have many buildings or facilities. You will find a parking lot and some trails. This allows visitors to explore the area and see the wildlife. The refuge is managed by the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge in Texas.
Images for kids
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Saline playa within Grulla National Wildlife Refuge
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Sandhill cranes near Grulla National Wildlife Refuge
