Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge Location in the United States Show map of the United States Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge Location in Nevada Show map of Nevada
Location	Elko County, White Pine County, Nevada, United States
Area	37,632 acres (152.29 km2)
Established	1938
Governing body	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Website	Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in southwestern Elko County and northwestern White Pine County in the northeastern section of the state of Nevada in the western United States. Established in 1938, it encompasses 37,632 acres (152.29 km²) of wetlands in Ruby Valley, just east of the Ruby Mountains and just south of Harrison Pass. It is 16 miles (26 km) long, up to 3 miles (4.8 km) in width, and lies at an elevation of 6,000 feet (1,800 m). Once the bed of a 200-foot (61 m) deep lake, it is now a network of spring-fed marshes and shallow ponds serving as a habitat for hundreds of species of native and migratory birds and mammals.

The Refuge is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A Visitor's Center (located at 40°12′08″N 115°29′34″W / 40.202167°N 115.492833°W / 40.202167; -115.492833) and auto-tour route allow for discreet viewing of waterfowl.

Ruby Valley, looking north from near Overland Pass. The Ruby Lakes Refuge is the dark geen area in the valley floor at left.

Ruby Marsh

Ruby Marsh is a wetlands area within the national refuge, which serves as a nesting area for "the greater sandhill crane and trumpeter swan". In 1972, Ruby Marsh, which is located within the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge, was designated as a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.