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.

Bird's eye view of the park

Sutter National Wildlife Refuge

Sutter Buttes SP

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

Colusa-sacramento River State Recreational Area

Bird's eye view of the campground

River Campground (sites 2-14)

Colusa-Sacramento River SRA

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.

Sutter National Wildlife Refuge

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Nearby Parks

Sutter Buttes SP

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

Colusa-Sacramento River SRA

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge