Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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![]() Looking west over the Mississippi River from an overlook within the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
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Location | Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, United States |
Nearest city | Dubuque, Iowa |
Area | 240,000 acres (970 km2) |
Established | 1924 |
Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Website | Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge |
Official name: Upper Mississippi River Floodplain Wetlands | |
Designated: | 1 May 2010 |
Reference #: | 1901 |
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is a huge protected area. It covers about 240,000 acres (which is about 970 square kilometers) along the Mississippi River. This special place stretches for 261 miles (about 420 kilometers). It runs from Wabasha, Minnesota in the north all the way to Rock Island, Illinois in the south.
Part of this refuge is in a unique area called the Driftless Area. This region is special because it was not covered by ice during the last big ice age. This means it has different landscapes compared to nearby areas. Some parts of the refuge were later moved to another protected area called the Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge.
This refuge is a very important stop along the Mississippi Flyway. This is like a superhighway in the sky for birds! Many birds use this route when they migrate. The refuge has lots of wooded islands, quiet water channels called sloughs, and forests filled with hardwood trees. You can find amazing wildlife here, like the canvasback duck, tundra swan, white-tailed deer, and muskrat. People can also enjoy fun activities like boating, hunting, fishing, and swimming.
The main office for the refuge is in Winona, Minnesota. There are also smaller offices in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and Thomson, Illinois.
Contents
Exploring the Refuge's Location
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is one of only two refuges in the United States that covers parts of four different states! These states are Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Illinois. This makes it a truly unique and widespread natural area.
Counties and Waterways in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the refuge touches these counties from north to south:
- Wabasha County
- Cross Lake
- Half Moon Lake
- Maloney Lake
- McCarthy Lake
- Peterson Lake
- Robinson Lake
- Zumbro River
- Winona County
- Houston County
- Blue Lake
- Hayshore Lake
- Lawrence Lake
- Root River
- Target Lake
Counties in Wisconsin
The refuge also includes parts of these Wisconsin counties:
Counties in Iowa
Moving south, the refuge stretches into these Iowa counties:
Counties in Illinois
Finally, the refuge reaches these counties in Illinois: