Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Sevier County, Arkansas, United States |
| Nearest city | De Queen, Arkansas |
| Area | 27,300 acres (110 km2) |
| Established | 1994 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge |
The Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge is a special place in Sevier County, Arkansas, United States. It's a huge area of land, about 27,300 acres (which is like 20,000 football fields!), set aside to protect nature. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service takes care of this refuge. They work to keep the land and its animals safe and healthy.
Contents
Where is Pond Creek Refuge?
The Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge was started in 1994. You can find it about 30 miles (50 km) north of a city called Texarkana, Arkansas. It's also about 10 miles (16 km) southeast of De Queen, Arkansas. The western edge of the refuge is quite close to the border between Arkansas and Oklahoma.
What Kind of Place is it?
Pond Creek is a mix of different natural areas. It has many oxbow lakes, which are U-shaped lakes that form when a river changes its path. It also has sloughs, which are muddy, swampy areas, and bottomland hardwood areas. These are forests that grow in low-lying lands, often near rivers, and have trees like oaks and hickories. All these different parts are found along the Little River and the Cossatot River.
Why is this Habitat Important?
The main reason Pond Creek Refuge was created was to protect its special wetland and bottomland hardwood habitats. These places are super important for many animals, especially birds. They provide safe homes, food, and places to raise their young.
Home for Migratory Birds
Pond Creek is a very important stop for birds that travel long distances. These are called migratory birds.
Neo-tropical Migratory Birds
Many birds that fly from North America to warmer places in Central and South America (the "neo-tropics") stop here. They use the refuge to rest and find food during their long journeys.
Waterfowl and Their Life Cycle
The refuge is also a key spot for waterfowl, which are birds like ducks and geese.
- It's a great place for wood ducks to build their nests and lay eggs.
- Other types of migratory waterfowl spend their winters here, finding food and shelter from the cold.
The Flyways
Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge is located where two major "bird highways" meet. These are called the Mississippi Flyway and the Central Flyway. Birds use these paths to travel between their breeding grounds and their winter homes. Because the refuge is at this meeting point, it's a vital rest stop for millions of birds every year.
