![]() | Roanoke RiverBrochure |
Brochure of Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in North Carolina. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge
P. O. Box 430
114 W. Water Street
Windsor, NC 27983
252/794 3808
http://roanokeriver.fws.gov
email: RoanokeRiver@fws.gov
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
1 800/344 WILD
http://southeast.fws.gov
For more information contact:
Refuge Manager
Monday-Friday
Closed holidays
8:00 am-4:00 pm
September 2006
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Roanoke River
National Wildlife Refuge
The Roanoke River
National Wildlife
Refuge situated along
the Roanoke River in
northeastern North
Carolina is part of a
100,000 acre protected
area involving the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife
Service, North Carolina
Wildlife Resources
Commission and The
Nature Conservancy. It
is one of over 545 refuges
that make up the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife
Refuge System,an
extensive network of
lands and waters
protected and managed
especially for wildlife
and its habitat.
Jean Richter
This blue goose,
designed by J. N.
“Ding” Darling, has
become a symbol of
the National Wildlife
Refuge System.
Introduction
Roanoke River National Wildlife
Refuge, which consists of 20,978
acres, was established in August 1989
to protect and enhance forested
wetlands with high waterfowl value.
The extensive floodplain in the lower
reaches of the Roanoke River is
considered to be the largest intact,
and least disturbed, bottomland
forest ecosystem remaining in the
Mid-Atlantic Region.
Swamp
cover photo:
Laurie Johnson
Swainson’s Warbler
River System Hydrology
Water is the driving force of
bottomland hardwood communities.
Annual floods over the centuries have
overtopped the riverbanks, dropping
the coarser, heavier suspended
sediments from upriver to form the
levees and ridges of the floodplain
resulting in forested communities
characterized by sugar berry,
sycamore, green ash, beech,
cottonwood, elm, sweetgum, loblolly
pine, and mesic oak and hickory
species. The finer, lighter sediments
(silts and clays) gradually settle in
the slack water areas ponded behind
the levees supporting stands of bald
cypress and water tupelo.
USFWS
Jerry Holloman
Slider
Patterns of water flow within alluvial
systems such as the Roanoke River
are distinctly seasonal when
unregulated. However, near the
Virginia-North Carolina border, a
series of three reservoirs established
for hydroelectric power and flood
control now regulate the flow of
water, deviating from historical flow
patterns. These are the John H. Kerr
Reservoir, Lake Gaston and Roanoke
Rapids Lake from upstream to
downstream, respectively.
Green-backed heron
USFWS
Mammals
White-tailed deer
Wildlife
The combination of hard and soft
mast producing trees and the
availability of cover provides habitat
for white-tailed deer, gray squirrel
and marsh rabbit on the floodplain of
the Refuge. Likewise, a remnant
population of black bear is found
along the lower
River in one of
the few remaining
expanses of
habitat for this
species in the
state. Furbearers
present include
raccoon, mink,
nutria, muskrat,
otter, fox, bobcat,
beaver and
opossum.
Birds
At least 219 birds including 88
breeding species have been identified
on or near the Refuge. The Roanoke
River floodplain is believed to support
the highest density of nesting birds,
especially songbirds, anywhere in
North Carolina.
Jean Richter
Exceptional birding is possible on the
Refuge from March through June,
the spring migration and nesting
season. Some of the more notable
species include cerulean and
Swainson’s warblers, Mississippi kite
and our national symbol, the bald
eagle can be frequently observed
along the River’s corridor.
Yellow-crowned
night heron
The Refuge
supports at least
three active
heron rookeries,
including the
largest inland
rookery in the
state. The redshouldered hawk
and barred owl
are characteristic
raptor species found in the wooded
swamps and bottomland hardwoods.
Jean Richter
The ancient river ridges and
terraces provide excellent food and
cover for feeding and nesting
turkeys. Other game species that can
be found sporadically in the Refuge
are woodcock and bobwhite quail.
Nesting wood ducks and hooded
mergansers can be found regularly in
and around the Refuge. During the
winter, frequently
observed waterfowl
species include
pintail, wigeon,
gadwall, greenwinged teal, mallard,
black duck, bluewinged teal, ringnecked duck,
shoveler, bufflehead,
and Canada goose.
Turkeys
Roanoke R
National
Wildlife R
Ind
Indian
Creek
TOWN
SWAMP
Roanoke
River
ian
Broadneck
Road
W
oo
Coniott
Creek
ds
Ro
ad
n
tow
ad
Gr
ab
Ro
11
903
Hamilton
BROADNECK
SWAMP
Saint Francis
Road
COMPANY
SWAMP
13
17
Conoho
Creek
Conine Creek
125
*
CONINE
ISLAND
Kuratt
Trail Sweetwater
Creek
Williamston
Detailed area
17
64
NORTH CAROLINA
Refuge Regulations
Primitive camping is allowed only in
conjunction with Refuge hunts by
permitted hunters.
No littering—help keep your Refuge
clean!
Disturbing people, wildlife, plants and
government property with vehicles,
weapons, light and sound equipment
or personal conduct is prohibited.
Firearms, weapons or fireworks are
prohibited.
Hunting is by special permit only.
Contact the Refuge office or North
Carolina Wildlife Resources
Commission for information.
River N
Refuge
*
Windsor
Legend
Refuge headquarters
Public boating access
Sans Souci ferry
Highway
Paved road
Refuge boundary
Kuratt Trail
308
Woodard
Road
Roanoke
River
Cashie
River
HAMPTON
SWAMP
Batchelor
Bay
Cashoke
Creek
45
San
Souci
GREAT AND
GOODMAN
ISLANDS
Plymouth
Devil's Gut
Roanoke
River
Conaby 32
Creek
Gardner
Creek
Jamesville
Welch
Creek
Pets are prohibited. Retrieving dogs
used during the Refuge waterfowl
hunts must be under control at all
times.
Special wildlife observation areas
along Highway 13/17 are available
seasonally. Contact the Refuge office
for information.
The Refuge is open daily from
sunrise to sunset; however, the
Refuge is closed to the general public
during permitted hunts for safety
reasons. Contact the Refuge office
for details.
Special fishing regulations apply.
Contact the Refuge office for
information.
Fish
Herring
Reptiles and
Amphibians
The Roanoke River and the
associated Refuge floodplain
wetlands are especially important to
anadromous fish, marine species that
ascend rivers to
spawn.
Anadromous fish
include striped
bass, blueback
herring, alewife,
hickory and
American shad.
In addition to the
anadromous
species which
frequent the River
during the spawning season, the
Roanoke River and its tributaries
provide excellent habitat for a
diverse assemblage of resident fish
species such as crappie, catfish,
longnose gar, carp, shinners,
largemouth bass, darters, bluegill,
and white perch.
Michelle Chappell
The variety of wetland habitats found
on the Refuge support a unique
diversity of reptiles. Snapping turtle,
yellow-bellied turtle, Eastern mud
turtle and the rare spotted turtle,
along with the five-lined skink,
newts, salamanders, toads and frogs
can all be found.
Jean Richter
Slimy Salamander
Green Tree Frog
Associated with the floodplain is a
diversity of nonvenomous snakes
ranging from the brown water to
garter snake. However, three types
of venomous snakes can be
encountered. These include the
Eastern cottonmouth or water
moccasin, associated more with
wetter sites, with the copperhead and
rattlesnake normally associated with
drier, upland sites.
Monitoring River Resources
Human manipulations of the River’s
floodplain during past logging efforts
and altered flow regimes have
created an imbalance within the
Water quality
monitoring
In cooperation with state, federal and
private organizations, Refuge staff
are researching the effect of
asynchronous river flow patterns on
fish, wildlife and plant resources. A
video addressing the complex
biological issues involved in
managing the Roanoke River for the
needs of people, fish, wildlife, plants
and their habitats is available free of
charge from the Refuge office.
Educational instructors, community
groups, local governments and
individuals are all encouraged to view
it.
Striped bass catch
John Ellis
USFWS
River’s ecosystem. The result of
these alterations is that areas which
historically flooded rarely flood now,
and those which do flood do so for a
longer period of time.
Visitor Opportunities
Visitors to the Refuge may
participate in a variety of activities
including fishing, boating, hiking,
photography, wildlife observation and
hunting. The Refuge is most easily
accessed by boat. Due to the
intermittent swales and ridges found
within the vast floodplain, limited
access by vehicle is only available
from Highway 17. See map for
details.
Jean Richter
Fishing is permitted in the Roanoke
River proper and selected tributaries
within the Refuge boundaries.
USFWS
Zebra Swallowtail
Hikers, photographers and wildlife
viewers are also invited to take in the
sights and sounds. A self-guided
nature trail is located off Highway 17
on the Charles Kuralt Trail. Here
visitors can learn more about the
bottomland hardwood forest
communities and enjoy the natural
surroundings. Everyone is reminded
to be alert for venomous snakes and
other hazards while enjoying your
Refuge.
Jean Richter
Kuralt kiosk
The Refuge hosts deer, waterfowl,
small game and turkey hunts by
permit only on selected Refuge lands.
Additional information is available
from the Refuge office.
Bald cypress trees and knees
USFWS
Wildlife
Calendar
Winter
(DecemberFebruary)
Wintering
Bald eagle
waterfowl can
be observed in forested wetlands and
on the River. Bald eagles can also be
observed in the River’s corridor.
Jean Richter
Spring (March-May)
Fishing is at its prime with striped
bass, shad, and river herring making
their spawning runs up the river.
Wild turkeys can be heard gobbling.
Neotropical migrants, resident
songbirds and herons are nesting.
Wood ducks and hooded mergansers
can be seen in nesting habitat.
Osprey chicks are hatching.
Summer (June-August)
Soaring
Mississippi
kites can
be seen
feeding
overhead.
Barred owl
hoots can
be heard
echoing
through
Jean Richter
Great egret
Rose Mallow
the bottomland hardwood
forests. Fishing for bream
and catfish is at a prime.
Young herons can be seen
flying the River’s corridor.
Jean Richter
Fall (September-November)
Neotropical birds are
migrating south. Whitetailed deer bucks are
polishing their antlers,
approaching rut. Fall colors
dress the River’s corridor.
Backswamp