Ardoch NWR Established by Executive Order in 1939, Lake Ardoch NWR originally consisted of 2,468 acres of flowage and refuge easements and 288 acres of fee title land. Since that time, 80-easement acres have been deleted and an additional 20 acres of fee title land has been added. Lake Ardoch provides both migration and production habitat for waterfowl in appropriate seasons.
Arrowwood NWR Established in 1935 as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Located along the James River in east central North Dakota, Arrowwood's 15,934 acres are made up of lakes, marshes, coulees and cultivated fields. As the river m
Arrowwood WMD Established in 1961 as breeding grounds for migratory birds and other wildlife the district is currently comprised of twenty-seven (27) Waterfowl Production Areas totaling 6,133 acres across Foster and Eddy counties in east-central North Dakota. Distric
Audubon NWR Audubon NWR is located in Mclean County in west central North Dakota. The refuge is named after John James Audubon the famous wildlife artist and naturalist who explored the Missouri River in the mid-1800's. The refuge was established in 1956 as mitigation for wildlife habitat destroyed by the impoundment of the Missouri River. The Corps of Engineer project(Missouri River Garrison Dam) created Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon, which are separated by a highway causeway. Lake Audubon Refuge is superimposed on Corps of Engineer owned lands and water. The south half of Lake Audubon and adjoining lands (14,776 acres) make up the refuge. In 1976, the Bureau of Reclamation (BR) created the Garrison Diversion Project to provide water for irrigation and other uses for central North Dakota. The diversion project uses Lake Audubon as the water supply for the McClusky canal delivery system. The project required the raising of Lake Audubon 13' altering refuge habitat. The BR is in the process of mitigating all refuge habitat losses due to the raised water level. Restoration activities include; erosion protection of shorelines and islands, creation of new islands and wetlands and the purchasing of replacement habitats. Lake water level agreements have provided additional habitat and protection from water and ice erosion. Unique features on Audubon include a large lake with over 100 natural islands that provide nesting and migrational use for waterfowl and other birds. Important habitat is provided for species of concern including whooping cranes, peregrine falcons, piping plover and bald eagles. The refuge is strategically located for public use activities and has good potential for future compatible development. The lake area is a summer destination for fisherman and vacationers and the fall season attracts hunters.
Audubon WMD Audubon Wetland Management District (WMD) includes Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA), FmHA Easements, Refuge & Wetland & Grassland Easements and Wildlife Development Areas (WDA) located in Ward, Sheridan, Hettinger and McLean Counties in north-central North Dakota. The district is administered from Audubon NWR headquarters. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills and small wetlands interspersed with small grain farms and cattle ranches. The area is part of the prairie pothole country historically known for its waterfowl production. The WMD includes 100 Waterfowl Production Areas (WPA's) scattered throughout the county areas. WPA's are fee owned properties (18,424 acres) that vary in size from 20 to 1,500 acres. Other district responsibilities include seven easement Refuges (7,043 acres) where ownership is restricted to wildlife and water protection on private lands. The WMD has 82,031 acres of wetland easements involving 1,210 contracts on private lands. Wetlands are protected from drainage, filling and burning under this program. Similar to the wetland easement, the WMD has two grassland easements protecting 4,362 acres from being plowed up. Under a cooperative program with the US Dept. of Agriculture, 15 Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) easements protect 7,046 acres on private lands. This program involves wetland and blocks of upland vegetation under protection.The WDAs are mitigation lands transferred from the Bureau of Reclamation for the Garrison Diversion Irrigation Project. The water delivery canal (McClusky Canal) is the site of most WDAs, Sheridan and McLean counties. There are eighteen WDAs from 60 to 3,450 acres in size and totaling 10,540 acres. One in Hettinger County. These properties are owned by the Service in fee title allowing total management activity. In addition to Service land management, district personnel work with agricultural, county, state, federal and private groups to enhance area wildlife and their habitat on private land, Partners for Wildlife work including one full time, term appointed worker.
Baldhill Dam Lake Ashtabula Lake Ashtabula offers year-round recreational opportunities in the east central region of North Dakota. It is a very productive fishery with abundant populations of popular game fish including walleye, white bass, northern pike and yellow perch. Lake Ashtabula is worth visiting any time of the year, with snowmobiling cross-country skiing and ice fishing in the winter and boating, swimming, camping and fishing in the summer.
