Optima National Wildlife Refuge

Optima National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 under the authority of the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, by agreement between the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While the original purpose of the 4,333-acre refuge was for wintering and resting habitat for migratory waterfowl of the Central Flyway, the refuge provides little habitat for migratory waterfowl due to lower than anticipated water impoundment rates in the Optima Reservoir. The refuge is currently managed for resident wildlife and migratory birds. The lack of water has reduced the potential for waterfowl management. The refuge provides an island of largely undisturbed habitat for migratory songbirds and resident species including white-tailed deer, coyote, Rio Grande turkey, and scaled quail.