Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 45°46′21″N 98°15′9″W / 45.77250°N 98.25250°W / 45.77250; -98.25250
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
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{{Infobox_protected_area | name = Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
{{Infobox protected area
| iucn_category = IV
⚫
| name = Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
| image = US_Locator_Blank.svg
| caption =
| iucn_category = IV
| map = South Dakota#USA
| locator_x = 131
| locator_y = 40
| relief = 1
| map_caption =
| location = [[South Dakota]], [[United States|USA]]
| nearest_city = [[Aberdeen, South Dakota|Aberdeen, SD]]
| location = [[Brown County, South Dakota]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| nearest_city = [[Aberdeen, South Dakota|Aberdeen, S.D.]]
| lat_degrees = 45
| coordinates = {{coord|45|46|21|N|98|15|9|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| lat_minutes = 46
⚫
| area = 21,498 acres (87 km<sup>2</sup>)
| lat_seconds = 21
⚫
| established = {{start date|1935}}
| lat_direction = N
| long_degrees = 98
| visitation_num =
| long_minutes = 15
| visitation_year =
⚫
| governing_body = [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]]
| long_seconds = 9
| website = [http://www.fws.gov/refuge/sand_lake/ Sand Lake NWR]
| long_direction = W
| embedded = {{Designation list
⚫
| area = 21,498 acres (87 km²)
| embed = yes
⚫
| established = [[1935]]
| designation1 = Ramsar
| visitation_num =
| designation1_date = 3 August 1998
| visitation_year =
| designation1_number = 957<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/957|accessdate=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
⚫
| governing_body = [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]]
}}
}}
'''Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge''' is located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Dakota]] and is administered by the [[United States Fish and Wildlife Service|U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]]. Protected in 1935, the refuge has recorded over 266 bird species and another 40 species of mammals. Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the refuges listed in the [[Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance|list of wetlands of international importance]] under the [[Ramsar Convention]] signed in 1971. It is considered one to the finest migratory and non-migratory bird watching areas in the U.S. As recently as 1994, an estimated 150,000 nesting pairs of [[Franklin's gull]]s were recorded on the refuge, making this the largest known congregation of this species anywhere.
'''Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge''' is located in the northeastern part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Dakota]] and is administered by the [[U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service]]. Created in 1935, it is a [[Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance|wetland of international importance]] and a Globally Important Bird Area. Over 260 bird species are found in the refuge, including many migratory bird species and the world's largest breeding colony of [[Franklin's gull]]s.

==History and management==

In the late 1880s, the Sand Lake area was settled by farmers. Their agricultural practices depleted wildlife habitat and caused a severe decline in waterfowl numbers. The [[US Congress]] established the refuge in 1935 to preserve wildlife habitat and breeding grounds.<ref name=Recov>{{cite web|url=http://recovery.doi.gov/press/us-fish-and-wildlife-service/sand-lake-national-wildlife-refuge/|title=Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge|date=January 25, 2011|accessdate=2013-12-04|publisher=Department of the Interior|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227153545/http://recovery.doi.gov/press/us-fish-and-wildlife-service/sand-lake-national-wildlife-refuge/|archivedate=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in northeastern South Dakota, and covers {{convert|21,498|acre|ha}} of wildlife habitat. It is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which covers over 550 such refuges in the US. The system is managed by the [[US Fish and Wildlife Service]], part of the [[Department of the Interior]]. The [[Sand Lake Wetland Management District]], which focuses on the conservation of [[wetland]] and [[grassland]] habitat on private property, is run through the wildlife refuge.<ref name=FWS>{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/sandlake/|title=Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge|publisher=US Fish and Wildlife Service|accessdate=2013-12-04|date=September 20, 2013}}</ref> The program is the largest such district in the country, and manages properties in eight counties. The refuge hosts around 75,000 visitors annually.<ref name=Recov/>

==Wetlands==

[[Image:Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge [[wetland]]s.]]
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the refuges included in the [[Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance|list of wetlands of international importance]] under the [[Ramsar Convention]], which was signed in 1971 and entered into force in the US in 1987. It is one of 35 such sites in the US, which cover a total of {{convert|1,827,196|ha|acres|disp=flip}}. Sand Lake was designated on August 3, 1998 and covers {{convert|8700|ha|acres|disp=flip}}. As a "large freshwater [[cattail]] marsh", it was selected as a refuge due to being a "critical nesting and staging habitat" for numerous species of birds, including tens of thousands of migrating [[waterfowl]]. The wetlands are a popular tourist attraction, with thousands of visitors each year.<ref name=Ramsar>{{cite web|url=http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-documents-list-annotated-ramsar-15774/main/ramsar/1-31-218%5E15774_4000_0__|title=The Annotated Ramsar List: United States of America|date=January 30, 2013|accessdate=2013-12-04|publisher=The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands}}</ref>

[[File:Ice cutting operation. Sand Lake NWR, South Dakota - NARA - 283849.jpg|left|250px|thumb|Cutting ice at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge with the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]].]]

==Flora and fauna==
Large concentrations of more than 260 bird species, 40 mammals and a variety of other species live in the refuge. WildBird Magazine called Sand Lake one of North America's top 15 sites for bird watching.<ref name=FWS/> [[Mallard duck]]s, [[wood duck]]s and [[Canada geese]] are frequently seen,<ref name=Ramsar/> as are [[Western grebe]]s, [[American white pelican|white pelican]]s and [[snow geese]]. The largest nesting colony of [[Franklin's gull]]s in the world is also found in Sand Lake.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fws.gov/sandlake/checklist.htm|title=Birding at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge|publisher=US Fish and Wildlife Service|accessdate=2013-12-04}}</ref> The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge had been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the [[American Bird Conservancy]], one of 500 such sites in the US and approximately 3,500 worldwide. It is one of two such sites in South Dakota, with the other being the [[Fort Pierre National Grassland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/domestic/iba/index.html|title=Globally Important Bird Areas of the United States|publisher=American Bird Conservancy|accessdate=2013-12-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/domestic/iba/southdakota.html|title=Globally Important Bird Areas in South Dakota|publisher=American Bird Conservancy|accessdate=2013-12-04}}</ref>

The main waterway in the refuge is the [[James River (Dakotas)|James River]], which feeds [[Sand Lake (South Dakota)|Sand Lake]] and [[Mud Lake (South Dakota)|Mud Lake]]. The lakes were created by the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] during the [[New Deal Era]], as they built dams on local rivers.<ref name=Recov/> The refuge and the James River were considered infested with [[Zebra mussel]]s as 2023.<ref>{{Cite work |last=Mayer |first=Eric |date=2023-07-07 |title=Zebra mussels confirmed in Sand Lake National Refuge |url=https://www.keloland.com/news/local-news/zebra-mussels-confirmed-in-sand-lake-national-refuge/ |access-date=2023-07-08 |website=KELOLAND.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge}}
* {{cite web | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | year = | url = http://sandlake.fws.gov/ | title = Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge | format = | work = | publisher = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | accessdate = 2006-08-16 | accessyear =}}
* {{cite web | url = https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sand_lake/ | title = Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge | publisher = U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service}}

{{Protected areas of South Dakota}}
{{National Wildlife Refuges of the United States}}
{{Ramsar sites in the United States}}

{{authority control}}


[[Category:Important Bird Areas of the United States]]
[[Category:National Wildlife Refuges in South Dakota]]
[[Category:National Wildlife Refuges in South Dakota]]
[[Category:Geography of South Dakota]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Brown County, South Dakota]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1935]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in the United States]]
[[Category:Wetlands of South Dakota]]
[[Category:Landforms of Brown County, South Dakota]]
[[Category:1935 establishments in South Dakota]]
[[Category:Nature centers in South Dakota]]

Latest revision as of 22:16, 1 December 2023

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map showing the location of Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge
LocationBrown County, South Dakota, U.S.
Nearest cityAberdeen, S.D.
Coordinates45°46′21″N 98°15′9″W / 45.77250°N 98.25250°W / 45.77250; -98.25250
Area21,498 acres (87 km2)
Established1935 (1935)
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteSand Lake NWR
Designated3 August 1998
Reference no.957[1]

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of South Dakota and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Created in 1935, it is a wetland of international importance and a Globally Important Bird Area. Over 260 bird species are found in the refuge, including many migratory bird species and the world's largest breeding colony of Franklin's gulls.

History and management[edit]

In the late 1880s, the Sand Lake area was settled by farmers. Their agricultural practices depleted wildlife habitat and caused a severe decline in waterfowl numbers. The US Congress established the refuge in 1935 to preserve wildlife habitat and breeding grounds.[2]

The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located in northeastern South Dakota, and covers 21,498 acres (8,700 ha) of wildlife habitat. It is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, which covers over 550 such refuges in the US. The system is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of the Interior. The Sand Lake Wetland Management District, which focuses on the conservation of wetland and grassland habitat on private property, is run through the wildlife refuge.[3] The program is the largest such district in the country, and manages properties in eight counties. The refuge hosts around 75,000 visitors annually.[2]

Wetlands[edit]

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge wetlands.

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the refuges included in the list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, which was signed in 1971 and entered into force in the US in 1987. It is one of 35 such sites in the US, which cover a total of 4,515,100 acres (1,827,196 ha). Sand Lake was designated on August 3, 1998 and covers 21,000 acres (8,700 ha). As a "large freshwater cattail marsh", it was selected as a refuge due to being a "critical nesting and staging habitat" for numerous species of birds, including tens of thousands of migrating waterfowl. The wetlands are a popular tourist attraction, with thousands of visitors each year.[4]

Cutting ice at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge with the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Flora and fauna[edit]

Large concentrations of more than 260 bird species, 40 mammals and a variety of other species live in the refuge. WildBird Magazine called Sand Lake one of North America's top 15 sites for bird watching.[3] Mallard ducks, wood ducks and Canada geese are frequently seen,[4] as are Western grebes, white pelicans and snow geese. The largest nesting colony of Franklin's gulls in the world is also found in Sand Lake.[5] The Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge had been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, one of 500 such sites in the US and approximately 3,500 worldwide. It is one of two such sites in South Dakota, with the other being the Fort Pierre National Grassland.[6][7]

The main waterway in the refuge is the James River, which feeds Sand Lake and Mud Lake. The lakes were created by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the New Deal Era, as they built dams on local rivers.[2] The refuge and the James River were considered infested with Zebra mussels as 2023.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge". Department of the Interior. January 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge". US Fish and Wildlife Service. September 20, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "The Annotated Ramsar List: United States of America". The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. January 30, 2013. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  5. ^ "Birding at Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge". US Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  6. ^ "Globally Important Bird Areas of the United States". American Bird Conservancy. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  7. ^ "Globally Important Bird Areas in South Dakota". American Bird Conservancy. Retrieved December 4, 2013.
  8. ^ Mayer, Eric (July 7, 2023). Zebra mussels confirmed in Sand Lake National Refuge. Retrieved July 8, 2023. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)

External links[edit]

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