Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 under President
Theodore Roosevelt as a reserve and breeding ground for native birds, making
it the 15th refuge established in the country. Chase Lake has one of the
largest American white pelican nesting colonies in North America. That said,
the year the Refuge was established, only 50 pelicans inhabited the area, as
written by local settler H.H. McCumber. In 2000, a record 35,466 breeding
pelicans were tallied at the Refuge.

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1908 under President Theodore Roosevelt as a reserve and breeding ground for native birds, making it the 15th refuge established in the country. Chase Lake has one of the largest American white pelican nesting colonies in North America. That said, the year the Refuge was established, only 50 pelicans inhabited the area, as written by local settler H.H. McCumber. In 2000, a record 35,466 breeding pelicans were tallied at the Refuge.

Bird's eye view of the park

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1993, the District manages both U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-
owned waterfowl production areas as well as wetland and grassland easements on
private lands in Stutsman and Wells counties.

Located in the famous Prairie Pothole Region, the most productive area for
breeding waterfowl in North America, the District and surrounding area provide
breeding and migratory habitat for more than 293 bird species.

The **Prairie Pothole Region** gets its name from the shallow freshwater
wetlands (potholes) abundant across the Midwestern prairie landscape. This
formerly glaciated landscape extends through part of eastern Montana, North
Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa in the United States. The Region
also extends north into Canada.

There are two physiographic regions within the District, the Drift Prairie in
the east and the Missouri Coteau in the west. Plants, wildlife, and habitat
across these two areas are significantly different from one another. These
areas were formed over 10,000 years ago by retreating glaciers.

**Drift Prairie**

The movement of glaciers along with the deposits of soil, rock, and minerals
(drift) left behind, created the gently rolling topography seen throughout
this area. Shallow depressions across the landscape became potholes and a wide
variety of grasses and wildflowers became established across the uplands
(prairie). Large expanses of grasslands have been tilled and small wetlands
drained to accommodate many years of intensive farming of wheat, barley, corn,
and beans throughout the Drift Prairie. The District focuses on protecting the
fragments of grassland and wetlands that remain and restoring those that are
no longer being farmed.

**Missouri Coteau**

The Missouri Coteau marks the western limits of glaciation in North Dakota and
features more rugged and elevated terrain than the neighboring Drift Prairie.
The area is dotted with wetlands, in some areas up to 100 per square mile.
This intermixing of grasslands and wetlands is especially important for
waterfowl breeding and nesting because many birds nest in the grasslands and
raise their young in the wetlands. Land in this area is more likely to be used
for cattle grazing than crop farming and large areas of grasslands and wetland
remain intact.

Established in 1993, the District manages both U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned waterfowl production areas as well as wetland and grassland easements on private lands in Stutsman and Wells counties. Located in the famous Prairie Pothole Region, the most productive area for breeding waterfowl in North America, the District and surrounding area provide breeding and migratory habitat for more than 293 bird species.The Prairie Pothole Region gets its name from the shallow freshwater wetlands (potholes) abundant across the Midwestern prairie landscape. This formerly glaciated landscape extends through part of eastern Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa in the United States. The Region also extends north into Canada. There are two physiographic regions within the District, the Drift Prairie in the east and the Missouri Coteau in the west. Plants, wildlife, and habitat across these two areas are significantly different from one another. These areas were formed over 10,000 years ago by retreating glaciers.Drift PrairieThe movement of glaciers along with the deposits of soil, rock, and minerals (drift) left behind, created the gently rolling topography seen throughout this area. Shallow depressions across the landscape became potholes and a wide variety of grasses and wildflowers became established across the uplands (prairie). Large expanses of grasslands have been tilled and small wetlands drained to accommodate many years of intensive farming of wheat, barley, corn, and beans throughout the Drift Prairie. The District focuses on protecting the fragments of grassland and wetlands that remain and restoring those that are no longer being farmed. Missouri CoteauThe Missouri Coteau marks the western limits of glaciation in North Dakota and features more rugged and elevated terrain than the neighboring Drift Prairie. The area is dotted with wetlands, in some areas up to 100 per square mile. This intermixing of grasslands and wetlands is especially important for waterfowl breeding and nesting because many birds nest in the grasslands and raise their young in the wetlands. Land in this area is more likely to be used for cattle grazing than crop farming and large areas of grasslands and wetland remain intact.

Chase Lake Prairie Project Wetland Management District

Slade National Wildlife Refuge is located in south-central Kidder County,
approximately 20 miles northeast of the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge
headquarters. The Refuge consists of gently rolling prairie dotted by lakes
and marshes that were formed by glacial action. The primary habitat includes
more than 900 acres of wetlands and smaller potholes along with uplands that
have been restored to planted native grasses and forbs.

Management strives to provide quality stopover and breeding habitat for
migratory birds and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of habitat
conservation and restoration within an agricultural landscape.

Slade National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Long Lake National
Wildlife Refuge Complex. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an
administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or
other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central
office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they
occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat
type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Typically, a project
leader or complex manager oversees the general management of all refuges
within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at
specific refuges.

Slade National Wildlife Refuge is located in south-central Kidder County, approximately 20 miles northeast of the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. The Refuge consists of gently rolling prairie dotted by lakes and marshes that were formed by glacial action. The primary habitat includes more than 900 acres of wetlands and smaller potholes along with uplands that have been restored to planted native grasses and forbs.

Management strives to provide quality stopover and breeding habitat for migratory birds and foster a greater understanding and appreciation of habitat conservation and restoration within an agricultural landscape.

Slade National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge Complex. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Typically, a project leader or complex manager oversees the general management of all refuges within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at specific refuges.

Chase Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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Nearby Parks

Chase Lake Prairie Project Wetland Management District

Slade National Wildlife Refuge