Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bannock and Franklin counties, Idaho, United States |
| Nearest city | Oxford, ID |
| Area | 1,878 acres (2.934 sq mi; 7.60 km2) |
| Established | 1985 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area |
The Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area is a special natural place in Idaho, USA. It is a type of wetland called a slough, which is like a slow-moving stream or marshy area. This important area helps protect many kinds of birds, especially waterfowl like ducks and geese. It was created in 1985 to give these birds a safe place to live and raise their young.
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About Oxford Slough Waterfowl Area
This area is located in southeastern Idaho, near the town of Oxford. It covers about 1,878 acres, which is like 1,400 football fields! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages it.
The main reason this area was bought was to protect a type of duck called the redhead. Redhead ducks need specific places to build their nests. The money to buy this land came from Federal Duck Stamp funds. These funds come from people who buy special stamps, and the money helps protect wetlands for wildlife.
What the Area Looks Like
Most of the Oxford Slough area is a marsh filled with tall plants called hardstem bulrush. There are also areas of open water. Around the marsh, you can find different types of land:
- Playa areas: These are flat, dry lakebeds that sometimes fill with water.
- Saltgrass flats: These are areas where salt-loving grass grows.
- Wet meadows: These are grassy areas that are often wet.
- Cropland: Some parts of the area are used for farming.
In the lower parts of the slough, you can see white alkali deposits on the ground. This shows that the soil has a lot of salt.
Water Sources
The marsh gets its water from a stream called Deep Creek, which flows in from the north. Deep Creek also helps drain water out of the marsh to the south. Other smaller creeks and several natural springs on the west side also feed water into the marsh.
How the Area is Managed
The Oxford Slough Waterfowl Production Area is managed by the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. They work to keep the area healthy for wildlife.
In the 1950s, people tried to drain the slough to make the land drier. They dug ditches, but these attempts were not very successful. The old ditches are still there, but they have mostly filled in over time.
Today, the land is managed differently:
- No Grazing: The natural grassy areas are no longer used for grazing animals like cows.
- Haying: Most of the wet meadows are cut for hay. This creates short grass areas where geese and cranes can easily find food.
- Nesting Cover: Many dry cropland areas have been changed to grow dense plants. These plants provide good hiding and nesting places for birds.
- Cooperative Farming: Some irrigated cropland is used to grow small grains. A part of the crop is left in the fields each year. This provides extra food for wildlife.
