Colusa NWR was established in 1945 as a refuge and breeding ground for
migratory birds and other wildlife and to reduce damage of agricultural crops
caused by waterfowl.

The refuge lies in the Colusa Basin and is bisected by the Colusa Basin Drain,
which drains the basin southeast to the Sacramento River. The low topography
and presence of the Colusa Basin Drain makes refuge lands subject to regular
winter flooding.

Thousands of waterfowl are present from September through March. Peak
populations occur in December and January. Colusa NWR regularly supports peak
wintering populations of over 150,000 ducks and 60,000 geese. Many birds
including nesting wood ducks and mammals can be seen year-round.

The habitats include seasonal marshes, permanent ponds, and uplands. The
seasonally flooded, saline-alkali soils provide great habitat for the palmate-
bracted bird's-beak, a federally listed threatened plant species. It is an
annual herb in the snapdragon family and its petals are divided into two lips
with the upper one shaped like a bird's-beak, leading to its name.

Colusa NWR was established in 1945 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife and to reduce damage of agricultural crops caused by waterfowl.The refuge lies in the Colusa Basin and is bisected by the Colusa Basin Drain, which drains the basin southeast to the Sacramento River. The low topography and presence of the Colusa Basin Drain makes refuge lands subject to regular winter flooding.Thousands of waterfowl are present from September through March. Peak populations occur in December and January. Colusa NWR regularly supports peak wintering populations of over 150,000 ducks and 60,000 geese. Many birds including nesting wood ducks and mammals can be seen year-round.The habitats include seasonal marshes, permanent ponds, and uplands. The seasonally flooded, saline-alkali soils provide great habitat for the palmate-bracted bird's-beak, a federally listed threatened plant species. It is an annual herb in the snapdragon family and its petals are divided into two lips with the upper one shaped like a bird's-beak, leading to its name.

Bird's eye view of the park

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

Colusa-sacramento River State Recreational Area

Bird's eye view of the campground

River Campground (sites 2-14)

Colusa-Sacramento River SRA

The Butte Sink Wildlife Management area was established in 1979 with the
primary purpose of preserving native wetland habitat to perpetuate the
migratory waterfowl resource in the Central Valley and the Pacific Flyway. It
has an acquisition boundary which includes parts of Butte, Colusa and Sutter
counties (click here to see a map). It includes 32 conservation easements on
approximately 10,311 acres of privately-owned wetlands, but also includes the
733 acre fee-title property known as the Butte Sink Unit.

Managed wetlands comprise the majority of the WMA and consist primarily of
seasonal wetlands with fewer semi-permanent and permanent wetlands. The
wetlands occur in a floodplain and are characterized by a strong riparian
forest and emergent vegetation component. Butte Creek and its tributaries
meander through the WMA providing a water source for many of the wetlands. The
Butte Sink WMA represents the largest contiguous block of wetlands in the
Sacramento Valley and typically supports up to 2 million wintering waterfowl
and large numbers of the State-listed as threatened greater sandhill crane.
These wetlands also support significant populations of breeding herons,
egrets, and other waterbirds. Butte Creek and its associated wetlands also
support anadromous fish, including federally threatened spring-run Chinook
salmon and Central Valley steelhead.

The Butte Sink Unit was established in 1980 as part of the Butte Sink Wildlife
Management Area. This unit lies between the Sacramento River and the Sutter
Buttes, and is bounded on its west side by Butte Creek.

The Butte Sink Unit also supports large populations of wintering waterfowl,
with peak populations historically reaching up to one million birds. Because
the easement properties of the Butte Sink WMA are under private ownership,
public access is not permitted. Due to its isolated location and difficult
access, the Butte Sink Unit is closed to public use.

Managed wetlands comprise the majority of the total acreage, and consist
mostly of seasonally flooded wetlands, with occasional semi-permanent
wetlands. The remaining acreage is comprised of grasslands and riparian forest
habitats. The Butte Sink Unit can host wintering waterfowl in excess of
500,000 ducks and 40,000 geese, occasionally reaching a peak population of
over one million birds. Aside from wintering waterfowl, the unit supports
other species such as bald eagle, greater sandhill cranes, California quail,
deer, shorebirds, and an abundance of raptors such as red-tailed hawks and
great-horned owls.

No public use is allowed on the Butte Sink Unit, in accordance with deed
restrictions.

The Butte Sink Wildlife Management area was established in 1979 with the primary purpose of preserving native wetland habitat to perpetuate the migratory waterfowl resource in the Central Valley and the Pacific Flyway. It has an acquisition boundary which includes parts of Butte, Colusa and Sutter counties (<a href="https://fws.gov/media/151615" rel="nofollow">click here to see a map</a>). It includes 32 <a href="https://fws.gov/node/264896" rel="nofollow">conservation easements</a> on approximately 10,311 acres of privately-owned wetlands, but also includes the 733 acre fee-title property known as the Butte Sink Unit.Managed wetlands comprise the majority of the WMA and consist primarily of seasonal wetlands with fewer semi-permanent and permanent wetlands. The wetlands occur in a floodplain and are characterized by a strong riparian forest and emergent vegetation component. Butte Creek and its tributaries meander through the WMA providing a water source for many of the wetlands. The Butte Sink WMA represents the largest contiguous block of wetlands in the Sacramento Valley and typically supports up to 2 million wintering waterfowl and large numbers of the State-listed as threatened greater sandhill crane. These wetlands also support significant populations of breeding herons, egrets, and other waterbirds. Butte Creek and its associated wetlands also support anadromous fish, including federally threatened spring-run Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead.The Butte Sink Unit was established in 1980 as part of the Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area. This unit lies between the Sacramento River and the Sutter Buttes, and is bounded on its west side by Butte Creek.The Butte Sink Unit also supports large populations of wintering waterfowl, with peak populations historically reaching up to one million birds. Because the easement properties of the Butte Sink WMA are under private ownership, public access is not permitted. Due to its isolated location and difficult access, the Butte Sink Unit is closed to public use.Managed wetlands comprise the majority of the total acreage, and consist mostly of seasonally flooded wetlands, with occasional semi-permanent wetlands. The remaining acreage is comprised of grasslands and riparian forest habitats. The Butte Sink Unit can host wintering waterfowl in excess of 500,000 ducks and 40,000 geese, occasionally reaching a peak population of over one million birds. Aside from wintering waterfowl, the unit supports other species such as bald eagle, greater sandhill cranes, California quail, deer, shorebirds, and an abundance of raptors such as red-tailed hawks and great-horned owls.No public use is allowed on the Butte Sink Unit, in accordance with deed restrictions.

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

Delevan NWR was established in 1962 with funds from the Migratory Bird Hunting
and Conservation Stamp Act (today it is known as the Federal Duck Stamp). It
was established to provide feeding and nesting areas for migratory birds
however other major objectives include providing habitat and manage for
endangered, threatened, or sensitive species of concern; preserving a natural
diversity and abundance of flora and fauna; alleviating crop depredation; and
providing visitor service activities such hunting and photography.

Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers regularly peak in
November and December at over 300,000 ducks and 100,000 geese. The refuge
supports one of the largest known populations of palmate-bracted birds-beak
(Federally listed endangered plant species) and significant breeding colonies
of tricolored blackbirds. Delevan is also an important wintering grounds for
Tule Greater White-fronted Geese.

Delevan NWR was established in 1962 with funds from the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (today it is known as the Federal Duck Stamp). It was established to provide feeding and nesting areas for migratory birds however other major objectives include providing habitat and manage for endangered, threatened, or sensitive species of concern; preserving a natural diversity and abundance of flora and fauna; alleviating crop depredation; and providing visitor service activities such hunting and photography. Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers regularly peak in November and December at over 300,000 ducks and 100,000 geese. The refuge supports one of the largest known populations of palmate-bracted birds-beak (Federally listed endangered plant species) and significant breeding colonies of tricolored blackbirds. Delevan is also an important wintering grounds for Tule Greater White-fronted Geese.

Delevan National Wildlife Refuge

Sutter Buttes SP

The Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area was established in 1985 with
the primary purpose of preserving wetland habitat for wintering waterfowl and
other wetland-dependent wildlife. It has an acquisition boundary which lies
within a portion of Glenn and Colusa counties, with the Willow Creek Division
of the WMA lying between Sacramento and Delevan Refuges, and the Lurline
Division of the WMA lying between Delevan and Colusa Refuges (click here to
see a map). It includes 84 conservation easements on approximately 5,795 acres
of privately-owned wetlands.

The Willow Creek-Lurline WMA represents some of the last privately-owned
historic wetlands in the Colusa Basin. These lands consist of a mosaic of
managed seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands and native uplands surrounded by
rice agriculture. Heavy alkali soils influence the wetlands and uplands of
this region, often resulting in sparse emergent vegetation and salt-tolerant
plant communities. These lands provide an important corridor of natural
habitat helping to link the three Refuges mentioned above.

The Willow Creek-Lurline WMA supports tens of thousands of wintering waterfowl
including a significant portion of the tule greater white-fronted goose
population. In addition, the Lurline wetlands regularly support breeding
tricolored blackbirds, a species listed as threatened by the State of
California.

Because the easement properties of the Willow Creek-Lurline WMA are under
private ownership, public access is not permitted.

The Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area was established in 1985 with the primary purpose of preserving wetland habitat for wintering waterfowl and other wetland-dependent wildlife.  It has an acquisition boundary which lies within a portion of Glenn and Colusa counties, with the Willow Creek Division of the WMA lying between Sacramento and Delevan Refuges, and the Lurline Division of the WMA lying between Delevan and Colusa Refuges (<a href="https://fws.gov/media/163034" rel="nofollow">click here to see a map</a>).  It includes 84 <a href="https://fws.gov/node/264896" rel="nofollow">conservation easements</a> on approximately 5,795 acres of privately-owned wetlands.The Willow Creek-Lurline WMA represents some of the last privately-owned historic wetlands in the Colusa Basin.  These lands consist of a mosaic of managed seasonal and semi-permanent wetlands and native uplands surrounded by rice agriculture.  Heavy alkali soils influence the wetlands and uplands of this region, often resulting in sparse emergent vegetation and salt-tolerant plant communities.  These lands provide an important corridor of natural habitat helping to link the three Refuges mentioned above.The Willow Creek-Lurline WMA supports tens of thousands of wintering waterfowl including a significant portion of the tule greater white-fronted goose population.  In addition, the Lurline wetlands regularly support breeding tricolored blackbirds, a species listed as threatened by the State of California.Because the easement properties of the Willow Creek-Lurline WMA are under private ownership, public access is not permitted.

Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area

Sutter NWR was established in 1945 with funds from the Migratory Bird Hunting
and Conservation Stamp Act (today it is known as Federal Duck Stamp) and the
Lea Act. It was established to provide feeding and nesting areas for migratory
birds and alleviate crop depredation.

About 80% of the refuge is located in the Sutter Bypass. During major flood
events, the Bypass diverts winter flood water from the Sacramento River, which
may cover portions of the refuge with up to 12 feet of water.

Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers peak later than most
other refuges in the Complex

between January and February. Sutter NWR regularly supports wintering peak
populations of over 150,000 ducks and 70,000 geese.

The mixed riparian forest habitat on the refuge is important for breeding and
migrating passerine birds, and supports a large heron/egret rookery. The
refuge provides habitat for several Federal and State endangered and
threatened species, including giant garter snake, Chinook salmon, yellow-
billed cuckoo, and Swainson's hawk.

There are limited wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities from Hughes
Road, which bisects the refuge.

Sutter NWR was established in 1945 with funds from the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Act (today it is known as Federal Duck Stamp) and the Lea Act. It was established to provide feeding and nesting areas for migratory birds and alleviate crop depredation.About 80% of the refuge is located in the Sutter Bypass. During major flood events, the Bypass diverts winter flood water from the Sacramento River, which may cover portions of the refuge with up to 12 feet of water.Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers peak later than most other refuges in the Complex between January and February. Sutter NWR regularly supports wintering peak populations of over 150,000 ducks and 70,000 geese.The mixed riparian forest habitat on the refuge is important for breeding and migrating passerine birds, and supports a large heron/egret rookery. The refuge provides habitat for several Federal and State endangered and threatened species, including giant garter snake, Chinook salmon, yellow-billed cuckoo, and Swainson's hawk.There are limited wildlife viewing and photographic opportunities from Hughes Road, which bisects the refuge.

Sutter National Wildlife Refuge

**Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge** was established in 1937 with funds
from Emergency Conservation Fund Act of 1933 to provide refuge and breeding
habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, provide habitat and manage for
endangered, threatened, or sensitive species, and alleviate crop depredation.
Historically, the area of the refuge was known as the Colusa Plains which was
a vacant, windswept plain with short grasses, shrubs and forbs. In January
1937, the federal government purchased 10,775-acre Spalding Ranch and
christened it the Sacramento Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. From 1937-1942 the
Civilian Conservation Corp's (CCC) "Camp Sacramento" housed up to 200 men at
the current headquarters area. The men constructed levees, water control
structures, and delivery ditches to create and sustain wetlands across the
majority of the refuge. Mosquito bitten, sunburned, dust-choked men worked
non-stop even on 100-degree days to create the refuge.

Today, the refuge is known as the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and it
functions as the headquarters for the entire Sacramento National Wildlife
Refuge Complex. The refuge supports over 250 species of birds. Most notable
are the huge wintering concentrations (November - January) with regular peaks
of over 500,000 ducks and 250,000 geese. Raptor numbers swell as the waterfowl
numbers increase, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Waterfowl
viewing is good between October and March. In addition, shorebird numbers peak
in the spring and fall, while some waterfowl and numerous migratory songbird
species nest here during the summer. Many birds and mammals provide year-round
viewing.

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 with funds from Emergency Conservation Fund Act of 1933 to provide refuge and breeding habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, provide habitat and manage for endangered, threatened, or sensitive species, and alleviate crop depredation. Historically, the area of the refuge was known as the Colusa Plains which was a vacant, windswept plain with short grasses, shrubs and forbs. In January 1937, the federal government purchased 10,775-acre Spalding Ranch and christened it the Sacramento Migratory Waterfowl Refuge. From 1937-1942 the Civilian Conservation Corp's (CCC) "Camp Sacramento" housed up to 200 men at the current headquarters area. The men constructed levees, water control structures, and delivery ditches to create and sustain wetlands across the majority of the refuge. Mosquito bitten, sunburned, dust-choked men worked non-stop even on 100-degree days to create the refuge.Today, the refuge is known as the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and it functions as the headquarters for the entire Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge supports over 250 species of birds. Most notable are the huge wintering concentrations (November - January) with regular peaks of over 500,000 ducks and 250,000 geese. Raptor numbers swell as the waterfowl numbers increase, including bald eagles and peregrine falcons. Waterfowl viewing is good between October and March. In addition, shorebird numbers peak in the spring and fall, while some waterfowl and numerous migratory songbird species nest here during the summer. Many birds and mammals provide year-round viewing.

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

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