AlamosaNational Wildlife Refuge - Colorado |
The Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is located in the San Luis Valley along the east side of the Rio Grande approximately 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Alamosa, Colorado. The site consists of wet meadows, river oxbows and riparian corridor primarily within the flood plain of the Rio Grande, and dry uplands vegetated with greasewood and saltbush. These areas support a small but rich biodiversity including songbirds, water birds, raptors, red fox, mule deer, black bear, beaver and coyotes.
featured in
Colorado Pocket Maps |
location
maps
Rio Grande MVUM - Conejos Peak East 2018
Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM) of Conejos Peak East of Rio Grande National Forest (NF) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
brochures
Alamosa - Brochure
Brochure of Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Alamosa - Hunting and Fishing
Hunting and Fishing brochure of Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Alamosa - Rio Grande River Trail
Rio Grande River Trail brochure at Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Alamosa - Wildlife
Wildlife of Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Colorado. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Alamosa NWR
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/alamosa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamosa_National_Wildlife_Refuge
The Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is located in the San Luis Valley along the east side of the Rio Grande approximately 8 miles (13 km) southeast of Alamosa, Colorado. The site consists of wet meadows, river oxbows and riparian corridor primarily within the flood plain of the Rio Grande, and dry uplands vegetated with greasewood and saltbush. These areas support a small but rich biodiversity including songbirds, water birds, raptors, red fox, mule deer, black bear, beaver and coyotes.
San
Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex
9383 El Rancho Lane
Alamosa, CO 81101
719 / 589 4021
719 / 587 0595 fax
alamosa@fws.gov
http://www.fws.gov/refuge/alamosa
For State relay service
TTY / Voice: 711
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
For Refuge Information
1 800 / 344 WILD
Reprinted November 2019
White-faced ibis
Dave Menke / USFWS
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Alamosa and
Monte Vista
National Wildlife
Refuges
Sandhill cranes silhouetted against a morning sky
Dave Menke / USFWS
In a high mountain
valley in south-central
Colorado, the sun rises
above a tapestry of
wetlands and
agricultural fields.
The sounds of cranes,
geese, and ducks fill
the air as the sun rises
in the sky. An elk herd
feeds on grasses in
a meadow.
This blue goose,
designed by J.N.
“Ding” Darling,
is the symbol
of the National
Wildlife Refuge
System.
Canada geese
rise off frozen
wetlands on
Monte Vista
NWR.
Welcome to Alamosa and Monte
Vista National Wildlife Refuges
(NWR), two of the three refuges in
the San Luis Valley NWR Complex.
These Refuges are places for people
and wildlife.
The San Luis Valley has long been
a sanctuary for humans and wildlife.
The valley was once inhabited by
the Ute Indians who lived off an
abundance of elk, deer, pronghorn,
small game, and waterfowl. Comanche
parties occasionally came into the
valley to hunt.
In 1694, an early Spanish explorer,
Diego de Vargas, was the first
recorded European in the San Luis
Valley. Lieutenant Zebulon Pike’s
1806-1807 expedition traveled
through the valley when it was still
a Spanish territory. At the conclusion
of the Mexican War in 1848, the
valley became American territory.
A “ditch boom” in the 1880s sent
irrigation canals fanning out through
the valley, making it agriculturally
productive. The development of
mines, ranches, farms, and railroads
soon led to the establishment of small
communities throughout the valley
and surrounding mountains.
USFWS
A Crossroads
for People and
Wildlife
Hollingsworth / USFWS
High Mountain
Valley Refuges
Swainson’s hawk
Realizing the urgent need for a place
for waterfowl and other wildlife in
the valley, the Migratory Bird
Conservation Commission created
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) in 1952. Alamosa NWR
was established in 1962 as another
haven for migratory birds and other
wildlife in the valley. In 1979, the
two Refuges were combined
administratively into the AlamosaMonte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Complex. In 2003, an area to the
north of these two refuges became
Baca NWR. While Baca NWR is not
currently open to the public, all these
refuges are now managed as part of
the San Luis Valley NWR Complex.
Alamosa and Monte Vista NWRs
are two of over 565 refuges in the
National Wildlife Refuge System
– a network of lands set aside and
managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service specifically for wildlife. The
Refuge System is a living heritage,
conserving wildlife and habitat for
people today and generations to come.
Alamosa NWR
The 12,026 acres that make up
Alamosa NWR include upland areas,
riparian corridors, wet meadows, and
river oxbows. The wetland and river
habitats provide a wildlife oasis in
this dry region. These habitats
support a variety of wildlife, including
songbirds, water birds, raptors, deer,
beavers, coyotes, and more.
Monte Vista
NWR
The artificially created wetlands
on Monte Vista NWR’s 14,804 acres
are intensively managed to provide
habitat for a wide variety of
waterfowl and other water birds.
Mallards, pintails, teal, and Canada
geese are common, as are American
avocets, killdeer, white-faced ibis,
egrets, and herons. Irrigation canals
and wells provide precious water to
maintain the important wetland
habitat.
Managing
Habitats for a
Variety of Wildlife
The mission of both Alamosa NWR
and Monte Vista NWR is to provide
food, cover, migration, and breeding
habitat for migratory birds and other
wildlife. Both Refuges conserve and
enhance the mixture of wetland and
desert habitats found in the area to
accomplish these goals. Habitat
management tools used on the
Refuges include water and wetland
management, farming, grazing, and
prescribed fire.
Water – A Vital
Substance
Water is the lifeblood of the
San Luis Valley and the Refuges
within it. While only 7 inches of
precipitation falls annually in the
valley, spring snow melt from the
Sangre de Cristo Range and San
Juan Mountains provides essential
water to the valley. The melting
snow feeds the Rio Grande and valley
streams and replenishes underground
water. This inflow of water creates a
unique mosaic of wetland and desert
habitats, each with its own plant and
animal community.
When water is in short supply, as
in drought years, migratory birds
sometimes are forced to pass by the
Refuges and private and State-owned
wetlands in search of wetter areas.
Locally nesting birds may fail to nest,
and other wildlife may decline.
Dave Menke / USFWS
Killdeer
Dave Menke / USFWS
Cinnamon teal
Water
Manage
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alamosa
Hunting Regulations Table
Hunting is in accordance with State regulations. In addition, Refuge-specifc regulations must be followed and are
listed in the table below.
National Wildlife Refuge
Hunting and Fishing
Activity
Season Dates and Harvest
American coot,
State season and regulations
dove, duck,
apply
goose, merganser,
Wilson’s snipe
Other Regulations
Eurasian collared-dove hunting only allowed during the
mourning dove season.
Method of take includes shotguns, handheld bows, and
hawking/falconry.
The use of dogs for hunting and retrieving is permitted.
Dogs must be under immediate control and may not
interfere with other hunter’s activities.
Decoys and blinds cannot be left unattended and must be
removed from the hunting area daily.
Non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting.
Possession of lead shot while in the feld is prohibited.
Cottontail,
jackrabbit
State season and regulations
apply
Method of take includes shotguns, rifes fring rimfre
cartridges less than .23 caliber, handheld bows, pellet guns,
slingshots, and hawking/falconry.
Non-toxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting.
Possession of lead shot while in the feld is prohibited.
Elk
Special Refuge Access Elk
Permit required
Hunters must have a valid State elk hunting license, and
apply for and receive a Special Refuge Access Elk Permit
through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Contact 719-587-6900
or email: montevista.wildlife@state.co.us.
See map for areas open to hunting.
Turn in Poachers - TIPS
1-844-FWS-TIPS (397-8477) or
1-877-COLO-OGT (265-6648)
The Blue Goose is the symbol of the National
Wildlife Refuge System, a network of lands
and waters managed for the beneft of
wildlife and people.
Welcome
Welcome to Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR). Established in 1962, Alamosa NWR contains
12,026 acres of wetland and upland habitat along the
Rio Grande in southcentral Colorado. A large portion
of the Refuge is designated as a wildlife sanctuary
and is closed to public access.
General Information
Activities are permitted one hour before legal sunrise
until one hour after legal sunset
This brochure contains information for limited
migratory birds and small game hunting, and fshing
on the Alamosa NWR. If you would like information
about elk hunting, only allowed with a Special
Refuge Access Elk Permit, contact Refuge staff at
719-589-4021.
Safety
Be aware of and courteous to other hunters, visitors,
and staff while hunting. Fishing is not allowed on the
Chicago dam due to dangerous undercurrents.
Prohibited Activities
• Camping and fres.
• Possession or consumption of alcohol while hunting.
• Possession of a controlled substance or drug
paraphernalia.
• Unmanned aircraft systems, including drones.
• Littering, including spent shell casings.
• Searching for or removing cultural artifacts, fossils,
or animal parts, including antler sheds.
Firearms
Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying
frearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands
must comply with all provisions of State and local
law. Persons may only use (discharge) frearms in
accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and
specifc refuge regulations in 50 CFR Part 32.)
Possession of frearms in Federal facilities and
buildings is prohibited under 18 USC 930(a).
Vehicles
Off-highway vehicles, such as snowmobiles, all-terrain
vehicles (ATVs), or utility terrain vehicles (UTVs)
cannot be used on the refuge. The use of game carts
or other non-motorized methods to transport hunting
equipment to and from the hunting area is allowed.
Hunters may access hunting and fshing areas by foot
from public roads. All vehicles on the Refuge must be
parked in designated parking areas.
Access to the non-motorized portion of the hunting
and fshing area is limited to walking, horseback, and
bicycling, including e-bikes. Bicycles and e-bikes are
restricted to established roads. E-bikes are bicycles
with a small electric motor (less than 1 horsepower).
The operator of an e-bike may only use the small
electric motor to assist pedal propulsion. The motor
may not be used to propel an e-bike without the rider
also pedaling, except in locations open to public motor
vehicle traffc.
Accessibility
Equal opportunity to participate in and beneft from
programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service is available to all individuals regardless of
physical or mental ability. For more information please
contact the U.S. Department of the Interior, Offce of
Equal Opportunity, https://www.doi.gov/pmb/eeo/
public-civil-rights.
Hunting and Fishing Regulations
Hunting and fshing are permitted in accordance with
Federal regulations governing public use on National
Wildlife Refuges as set forth in Title 50 of the Code
of Federal Regulations.
Hunting and fshing are allowed on the Refuge in
accordance with State regulations and the Refugespecifc regulations in this brochure.
Fishing Regulations
State fshing regulations and permits apply to the
Alamos
El Rancho Lane
San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuges
9383 El Rancho Lane
Alamosa, CO 81101
719 / 589 4021
719 / 587 0595 fax
alamosa@fws.gov
http://alamosa.fws.gov
Trailhead
For State relay service
TTY / Voice: 711
U.S Fish and Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
Ri
o
Gr
and
e Riv
er
For Refuge Information
1 800 / 344 WILD
Alamosa
July 2009
National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Boundary
Rio Grande Nature Trail
Refuge Road
Refuge Headquarters
End of Trail
Restrooms
0
Miles
.5
N
0 Kilometers .5
17
160
El Rancho
Lane
285
160
Alamosa
Road 8 South
Ri
370
o
Gr
an
de
Riv
er
Alamosa
NWR
285
N
0
miles
0
kilometers
8
8
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alamosa
National Wildlife
Refuge
Rio Grande River Trail
About the Trail
This goose,
designed by J.N.
“Ding” Darling, is
the symbol of the
National Wildlife
Refuge System.
The Rio Grande River has long been
considered the life blood of the San
Luis Valley and of Alamosa National
Wildlife Refuge (NWR). While much
of the river’s dynamic nature has
been tamed, it still provides countless
wildlife benefits throughout its course.
Alamosa NWR includes more than
15 miles of critical riparian habitat
adjacent to the river. The Refuge’s Rio
Grande River trail gives you access
to 2 miles of this habitat for wildlife
viewing and photography. Please take
this brochure with you for information
about the habitat, the management,
and the wildlife seen along the trail.
For a bird’s eye view of the historic
wanderings of the Rio Grande River
and current water management
activities, take a drive to the Bluff
Overlook area on the east side of the
Refuge.
Riparian Habitats
This diverse mosaic of habitat types
is crucial to the survival of a host of
wildlife species on the Refuge. The
lush grasses provide excellent nesting
habitat for the numerous waterfowl
species on the Refuge. The tall
cottonwoods provide nesting and roost
sites for a variety of raptors, including
large concentrations of wintering bald
eagles.
■ The trail is open to pedestrian
Trail Regulations
visits from sunrise to sunset.
■ Please stay on the trail.
■ Leashed pets are welcome.
■ Bicycles are permitted, but
bicyclists must respect the
rights of the other users.
■ Hunting and fishing are prohibited.
■ Please don’t litter. Pack it in,
pack it out!
Water
Management
The most critical component of the
riparian zone along the Rio Grande
River is the low growing dense stands
of willow. These willows provide
important habitat for the endangered
southwestern willow flycatcher, which
use them for nesting and for feeding
on the abundant insects along the
river. Numerous year-round residents,
including elk and mule deer, use the
riparian corridor throughout the year.
The dense stands of willow provide
secure fawning areas for the deer, as
well as excellent thermal cover during
the winter months.
For nearly 150 years, farmers have
diverted flows from the river to
irrigate the arid landscapes of the San
Luis Valley. This practice has
significantly limited the river’s flow
pattern, altering the river’s ability to
move across the landscape as it had
done for hundreds of thousands of
years. The reduced flows considerably
impacted the riparian areas.
Along the east side of the trail is the
Chicago Ditch, which was established
in the early 1900s for irrigation. The
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
currently owns all the water rights
associated with this ditch. The Service
uses the water to simulate the annual
flooding which historically occurred
across the landscape and to manage
thousands of acres of wetland habitats
within the Refuge for the benefit of
migratory birds.
Along the trail you will see a wide
variety of habitat types, from lush
grasses, to dense stands of willow, to
towering cottonwood trees. All these
plant species benefit from the readily
available water provided by the river.
What To See
Spring
Typically, the river is one of the first
major areas of water to open up
within the valley, attracting large
numbers of waterfowl. Large
concentrations of bald eagles roost
along the river during this time to
feed on the arriving waterfowl as well
as on the numerous winter killed fish
found along the banks. As migration
progresses, a variety of songbird
species use the riparian corridor.
Summer
Watch for waterfowl and wading
birds using the river to rest and
feed as well as to nest in the dense
grasses. Numerous songbirds nest
in the willow habitats along the
river, including the southwestern
willow flycatcher. Beaver and
muskrats are abundant in the
river and in the Chicago Ditch.
Fall
Look for concentrations of shorebirds
and wading birds along the shallow
riverbanks. Waterfowl, especially
Canada geese, frequent the river
during this time. Occasional sandhill
cranes spend the day loafing along
the river. Fall migrations of numerous
songbirds provide great wildlife
viewing opportunities as well.
Winter
As the river freezes, wintering
bald eagles congregate along the
rive
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Alamosa and
Monte Vista
National Wildlife
Refuges
Wildlife List
Alamosa and
Monte Vista
National Wildlife
Refuges
The San Luis Valley of south-central
Colorado is home to three National
Wildlife Refuges, Alamosa, Monte
Vista, and Baca. Over the course of a
year, these National Wildlife
Refuges provide crucial feeding,
resting, and breeding habitat for
over 200 bird species and a variety
of other wildlife.
Ninety-five percent of the Rocky
Mountain population of greater
sandhill cranes stop twice a year at
This goose
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
designed by J.N. (NWR). In spring, sandhill cranes,
“Ding” Darling, waterfowl, and other migrating birds
has become the
stop at Monte Vista NWR to refuel
symbol of the
on their journey to northern breeding
National Wildlife grounds. As they migrate to southern
Refuge System.
wintering grounds in the fall, the
cranes stop again at the Refuge to
refuel. Refuge farm fields and
privately-owned croplands provide
essential feeding habitat in close
proximity to safe roosting areas
found on Monte Vista NWR.
Many waterfowl species stay on the
Refuge through the summer to
breed and rear young. Monte Vista
NWR is one of the most productive
duck breeding wetlands in North
America. Early summer also brings
nesting shorebirds and water birds
to all three Refuges. Throughout
the summer, the riparian corridor
along the Rio Grande at Alamosa
NWR offers habitat for many
species of songbirds, including the
rare southwestern willow flycatcher.
When winter hits the valley, some
waterfowl can be found, but raptors
dominate the Refuges’ landscape.
Short-eared owls winter and breed
on the refuges while bald eagles can
be seen fishing and roosting along
the Rio Grande at Alamosa NWR.
Elk, deer, coyotes, porcupines, and
beaver are some of the other wildlife
you may see while visiting the
refuges. Resident deer and elk are
found on the refuges year round,
while migrating herds are seen in
the fall and winter moving from
higher elevations to the valley floor.
Seasonal
Abundance
Sandhill crane
USFWS
a
abundant - numerous and easily
found in appropriate habitat
c common - should be found in
appropriate habitat with little
search effort
u uncommon - might see in
appropriate habitat
o occasional - seen only a few
times during the season
r rare - observed once or twice
every 2 - 5 years
Ac accidental - observed only a
few times in the history of
the Refuge
Common Bird Name
Sp S
Loons
Pacific Loon
Common Loon
Ac
Ac
Grebes
• Pied-billed Grebe
• Eared Grebe
• Western Grebe
Clark’s Grebe
c
u
o
o
Pelicans
American White Pelican
o
Cormorants
Double-crested Cormorant
r
Bitterns, Herons, and Egrets
• American Bittern
Least Bittern
Great Blue Heron
Great Egret
• Snowy Egret
Little Blue Heron
• Cattle Egret
Green Heron
• Black-crowned Night-Heron
u
Ac
u
o
c
u
r
c
Ibises and Spoonbills
• White-faced Ibis
c
Swans, Geese, and Ducks
Greater White-fronted Goose
Snow Goose
Ross’ Goose
• Canada Goose
Tundra Swan
Wood Duck
• Gadwall
• American Wigeon
• Mallard
• Blue-winged Teal
• Cinnamon Teal
• Northern Shoveler
• Northern Pintail
• Green-winged Teal
Canvasback
• Redhead
Ring-necked Duck
Greater Scaup
Lesser Scaup
r
o
r
a
r
r
a
c
a
c
a
c
a
a
u
c
u
r
c
F
c
u
o
o
c
u
u
u
c
o
a
r
u
u
a
a
c
r
a
u
a
c
a
c
c
a
r
c
r
r
o
a
u
r
c
a
W
r
o
r
a
r
r
a
u
a
c
a
u
c
c
r
c
r
r
r
o
r
a
r
o
r
a
r
r
c
u
Common Bird Name
Sp S
F
W
u
o
Ac
c
Ac
c c
o
o
r
r
c
o
o
u
c
o
o
Ac
c
c
r
o
u
r
u
c
o
o
c
c
o
o
u
c
c
r
c
u
o
c
r
c
u
Falcons and Caracaras
• American Kestrel
Merlin
Peregrine Falcon
Prairie Falcon
c
r
o
u
c
r
o
u
c
o
o
u
o
o
r
u
Gallinaceous Birds
• Ring-necked Pheasant
c
c
c
c
u u
u u
Ac
Ac
a a
u
u
r
Bufflehead
Common Goldeneye
Hooded Merganser
Common Merganser
Red-breasted Merganser
• Ruddy Duck
Osprey, Kites, Hawks, and Eagles
Osprey
Bald Eagle
• Northern Harrier
Sharp-shinned Hawk
Cooper’s Hawk
Northern Goshawk
• Swainson’s Hawk
• Red-tailed Hawk
Ferruginous Hawk
Rough-legged Hawk
Golden Eagle
Rails
• Virginia Rail
• Sora
Purple Gallinule
Common Moorhen
• American Coot
r
c
c
c
r
c
a
Cranes
Sandhill Crane
Whooping Crane
a
u
Plovers
Black-bellied Plover
Semipalmated Plover
• Killdeer
Mountain Plover
r
o
a
r
a
r
a
Stilts and Avocets
• Black-necked Stilt
• American Avocet
u
a
u
a
o
c
o
a
u
r
r
o
Common Bird Name
Sp S
F
Sandpipers and Phalaropes
Greater Yellowlegs
Lesser Yellowlegs
Solitary Sandpiper
Willet
• Spotted Sandpiper
Whimbrel
Long-billed Curlew
Marbled Godwit
Sanderling
Western Sandpiper
Least Sandpiper
Baird’s Sandpiper
Pectoral Sandpiper
Stilt Sandpiper
Long-billed Dowitcher
• Common Snipe
• Wilson’s Phalarope
u
u
r
o
c
Ac
o
u
o
u
u
u
o
o
u
c
a
u
u
r
u
u
r
o
u
Skuas, Jaegers, Gulls, and Terns
Franklin’s Gull
Bonaparte’s Gull
Ring-billed Gull
Caspian Tern
Common Tern
Forster’s Tern
Least Tern
• Black Tern
u
r
u
Ac
Ac
o
Ac
u
o
r
r
u
o
c
u
c
c
u
c
c
u
c
c
c
o
r
u
c
Pigeons and Dov