"Mt. Hood at Steigerwald Lake NWR in WA" by Jeff Hollett , public domain
![]() | Steigerwald LakeBrochure |
Brochure of Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Washington. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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covered parks
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Columbia
River Gorge
National Wildlife
Refuges
Steigerwald Lake NWR
Franz Lake NWR
Pierce NWR
Soaring high above
the volcanic ridges of
the Cascades, a family
of winged migrants spot
a familiar resting place
below.
Soon the weary travelers
will find refuge near the
shores of the Columbia
River, that constant
force responsible for
carving this impressive
passage. Though human
progress may ring in the
distance, they are at home
among the wild chorus
that sings the story of
these jewels of the
Columbia River Gorge.
Crown Point as seen from
Steigerwald Lake NWR
©Dave Olson
The Constancy
of Change
The forces of nature have brought
great change to the Columbia River
Gorge; at times slowly through the
steady flow of the river, at other times
in the form of cataclysmic events
like the Ice Age Floods.
People have also brought change to
this area—altering the flow of water
with dams and dikes, and clearing
land for agriculture. This human
influence created habitat loss, leading
to the establishment of Steigerwald
Lake, Franz Lake and Pierce
National Wildlife Refuges.
Located at the crossroads of the
Cascade Mountains and the Columbia
River, this area is uniquely significant
to wildlife. Birds from the east side of
the mountains mingle with those of
the west in this near sea-level passage.
When the second powerhouse was
constructed at Bonneville Dam,
lowland habitat was lost both up and
downstream. A portion of these
Refuge lands were established to
mitigate for this loss—creating more
feeding habitat for migrating and
resident wildlife.
WASHINGTON
Once, natural processes of the river
provided habitat by creating and
replenishing wetlands and depositing
sandbars colonized by willows and
cottonwoods. Due to the demands of
energy and agriculture these habitats
vanished. Wetlands were drained,
riparian forests were cleared, dikes
were constructed, and dams were
built. As a result, the river no longer
performs its natural processes on
the Refuges.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service now
protects these lands, often managing
them with the same methods that
depleted the original habitats to
create a vibrant resource supporting
a growing wildlife population.
Steigerwald Lake
National Wildlife
Refuge
Steigerwald Lake National
Wildlife Refuge is one of over
540 refuges in the National
Wildlife Refuge System—a
network of lands and waters
set aside specifically for wildlife.
Managed by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, the System is
a living heritage, conserving fish,
wildlife and their habitats for future
generations.
Teeming with wildlife at the eastern
edge of Camas and Washougal,
Washington, the 1,049-acre Steigerwald
Lake National Wildlife Refuge presents
a fantastic opportunity to connect
with nature through hiking and
wildlife observation.
Over 200 of the 300 bird species seen
in Clark County have been observed
on this relatively small refuge,
making Steigerwald Lake an
excellent birding destination.
Bewick’s wren
©Roger Windemuth
Habitat management is an active
process at Steigerwald Lake. Refuge
staff, with the support of
volunteers, are actively
restoring riparian plants
along salmon-bearing Gibbons Creek.
Other habitats of vital importance to
the Refuge include seasonal wetlands,
grasslands, and oak forested uplands.
Osprey, nesting
along the Columbia,
come to the Refuge
in search of a meal.
©Roger Windemuth
Bufflehead overwinter
on the Refuge
©Roger Windemuth
The results of these management
efforts can be measured in abundance.
In addition to its diversity of birds,
the Refuge is also home to over 20
species of mammals, 15 species of
reptiles and amphibians, and a wide
variety of insects, fish, and plants.
With the opening of a new trail in
2009, the Refuge has also become a
place where people can experience and
learn about wildlife and the places
they call home.
Signs of Black-tailed deer can be seen along the trail
Coyote search the
grasslands for voles
©Roger Windemuth
Enjoying the
Refuge
Steigerwald Lake NWR is a place
where wildlife comes first. When
visiting, always remember, you are a
guest in their home.
Refuge Hours
The Refuge is open from dawn to
dusk throughout the year. The closing
time is posted on the entrance gate.
Environmental
Education
Environmental education is an
important part of ensuring the future
of conservation. Educators who are
interested in coming to the Refuge
and connecting their students with
nature are encouraged to call and
learn about current opportunities.
Gibbons Creek
Wildlife Art Trail
Along this 2.75-mile wildlife art trail
you’ll encounter a variety of habitats
and wildlife viewpoints.
As you walk, look
closer—natural
and man-made art
is waiting to be
discovered. The trail
is open year-round,
with a seasonal spur
closed from October 1
through April 30 to
provide sanctuary for
wintering waterfowl. The rest of
Steigerwald Lake NWR is closed to
the public. Please stay on the trail.
©Dave Olson
Look for dowitchers, heads
bobbing like sewing machine
needles, as they probe for food
©Roger Windemuth
Accessibility
Visitor service facilities, including
trails and overlooks, have been
designed to accommodate visitors
needing special assistance. Please
contact Refuge staff if you would like
further information.
Walking Only
Trails are for walking only. To
minimize disturbance to wildlife, no
biking, jogging, or running is allowed.
Pets
Pets are not
allowed. They
disturb wildlife and
will scare animals
away before you
and others get a
chance to see them.
Collecting
Please leave plants
and animals for all
to enjoy. Collecting
of any kind is not
allowed. Do not pick
up wildlife. While it
may appear that a
Long-tailed weasel
©Roger Windemuth
young animal has
been abandoned,
chances are its parent
is watching anxiously
nearby.
Prohibited
Activities
No fires, fireworks, fishing, or
hunting. Camping or overnight
parking is not permitted.
Refuge Map
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Columbia River
Gorge Overlook
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Steigerwald
Lake
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Steigerwald
Lake Overlook
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Miles
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Steigerwald
Lake
Gib
bon
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Lake reek
Redtail
Redtail
Lake Overlook
Columbia River
Overlook
Fish
Ladder
Steigerwald Lake
National Wildlife Refuge
Columbia River
Refuge Boundary
Gibbons Creek Art Trail
Open Year-Round
Reed Island
Seasonal Spur
Closed Oct 1-April 30
to protect wildlife
Pierce
Franz Lake
Columbia River Dike Trail
NWR
Bikes, horseback riding,
jogging, and dogs on leash
allowed.
NWR
Steigerwald Lake
NWR
Trailhead
Willard
Willard NFH
Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area
Vancouver
Washougal
Camas
Franz Lake
NWR
Steigerwald
Lake NWR
Portland
Troutdale
Beacon Rock
State Park
Bonneville Dam
Multnomah
Falls
Crown Point
State Park
Hood River
Cascade Locks
Bridge of the Gods
Parking
Spring
White
Creek NFH Salmon NFH
Little White
Salmon NFH
Stevenson
Pierce NWR
Restrooms
Franz Lake
National Wildlife
Refuge
Wapato
reveals its
flower in
midsummer.
©Carla Finley
Located near the hamlet of
Skamania, Washington, about
15 miles upstream from Steigerwald
Lake, this 552-acre refuge contains
one of the few remaining natural
wetlands still connected to the Columbia
River. Although not open to the public,
this sanctuary for wildlife can be
viewed from an overlook along SR 14.
Created in 1990, the Franz and adjacent
Arthur Lakes contain healthy stands
of wapato, an important winter food
for migrating tundra swans. Other
wintering waterfowl that rely on
the lakes include lesser scaup,
canvasbacks, and ring-necked
ducks. The Refuge also provides
homes for a variety of other wildlife
including species such as rails,
band-tailed pigeons, red-tailed
hawks, bobcat, and black bear.
There’s more to Franz Lake NWR
than open water. Wetlands, riparian
forests, old-growth cedar, fir stands,
and open meadows also provide vital
habitat for wildlife.
Disappearing fall colors signal the
arrival of tundra swans at Franz Lake
©Dave Miller
Ring-necked duck
©Matt Knoth
Pierce National
Wildlife Refuge
Pierce Lake
©Dave Miller
Pierce NWR is located just upstream
the from Franz Lake NWR, between
the town of North Bonneville and
Beacon Rock State Park.
From 1955 to 1988 the
cattle pastures of Pierce
Ranch attracted scores of
wintering geese. Endeared
to the geese that took
refuge on her ranch, Mrs.
Lena Pierce took action to
conserve the land and its
wildlife. In 1993, she
donated the ranch to the
U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service. Through this
generous act the area
became a 329-acre National
Wildlife Refuge managed in
perpetuity as an inviolate
sanctuary for migratory birds.
Today, grassland and wetland habitats
support a diversity of wintering
waterfowl. Managed for a mosaic of
habitat types, this small landscape is
biologically rich, supporting several
rare and imperiled species of plants
and animals.
Although this refuge is also closed to
the public, spring and fall guided tours
are offered. Please call for details.
Canada geese find
ample winter food
at Pierce NWR
©Roger Windemuth
Chum salmon
©Austin Baker
Historically,
Columbia River
chum salmon
harvests exceeded
eight million pounds
annually. Today,
the spawning beds
at Pierce NWR represent one of the few
remaining chum runs in the river.
These salmon prefer the cool, clean,
well-oxygenated water for spawning
found in the slow-moving, spring-fed
Hardy Creek at Pierce NWR.
Since 2000, Refuge staff have worked
with the Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife to establish a
breeding population of 200 western
pond turtles, a state-endangered
species. The turtles
have been found
breeding in only
three other locations
along the Columbia
River. Its habitat and
protected status
made the Refuge
an ideal location
to introduce
another breeding
Western pond turtle
population.
©Yathin
A Year of Wildlife
Discover an ever changing panorama
of wildlife. As the seasons change, so
does wildlife viewing. Located on the
Pacific Flyway, these Refuges are an
important stopover where migratory
waterfowl and songbirds stop to rest,
refuel, and raise their young.
Spring
This is the time to enjoy the bright
colors and singing chorus of migratory
songbirds. Many species of songbirds
such as the Bullock’s oriole
arrive and use the Refuges as a
place to breed and nest. At the
same time, wetland species
such as the American bittern
and Virginia rail are common
but difficult to spot. Northern
harriers are frequently seen
flying low over wetland
vegetation looking
for dinner.
Bullock’s oriole
©Roger Windemuth
Summer
As migration slows, wildlife focus on
raising their young. Broods of mallards
and Canada geese are commonly seen
in the wetlands. Plants like smartweed
grow and become the perfect food for
migrating waterfowl that arrive later
in the year. Red-winged blackbirds
are often seen in the wetlands scattered
throughout the Refuges.
Fall
As rain rolls in
and temperatures
cool, Arcticnesting birds
begin to arrive
from their northern
breeding grounds.
In search of open
water, food, and
shelter, waterfowl
fulfill their needs
on the Refuges.
This is also when
Canada geese
arrive and can
Great blue heron
be seen moving
©Roger Windemuth
between wetland
areas.
Winter
The calm waters of Steigerwald Lake
NWR attract large rafts of diving
ducks, including scaup and ring-necked
ducks, as they seek refuge from the
turbulent Columbia River. The
cackling of up to 2,000 geese can be
heard, creating an uproar as they
move from one field to another. You
may get lucky and spot a few snow
geese or greater white-fronted geese
among them.
Northern pintail
eat seeds and aquatic
insects as they rest and
refuel on the Refuges
Wildlife Viewing
Tips
The patient observer will be
rewarded with many wildlife viewing
opportunities. Every season brings
a new wealth of discoveries. Use the
following tips to observe and enjoy
the varied wildlife found here.
Use Binoculars
Binoculars and spotting scopes allow
you an up close look that does not
affect wildlife behavior.
Come Early,
Stay Late
Early morning and dusk are the best
times of the day to view wildlife.
Note that the Refuge is open from
dawn to dusk. Closing time is posted
on the entrance gate. Please plan
your visit to leave before the gate
closes.
Use Identification Field guides are helpful in identifying
species of plants and animals. A
Guides
wildlife list is available at the
Steigerwald Lake NWR trailhead
kiosk and online.
Be Patient and
Respectful
Move slowly. Quick movements and
loud noises will frighten most wildlife
away. Try sitting quietly in one
location. Animals that have hidden
may reappear after a short while.
Walk quietly and teach children quiet
observation. Other visitors will
appreciate your consideration.
Pacific chorus frogs can
change color quickly
to blend in with their
surroundings
©Matt How
Use All of Your
Senses
Tree snags are a
good place to look
for wildlife signs
©Dave Olson
Volunteer
Be aware of sounds
and smells. Often
you will hear more
than you will see.
Look for animal
signs. Tracks, scat,
feathers, and chewed
plants left behind often
tell interesting stories.
Remember to leave these
discoveries where you find
them. Please be considerate.
For the protection of wildlife,
visitors must
stay on the
trail. No off
trail use.
Observe from
the sidelines
Pileated woodpecker
and do not
©Roger Windemuth
approach wildlife
too closely. Don’t offer snacks; your
lunch could disrupt wild digestive
systems.
Do you want to help restore and
maintain native habitats, greet
visitors, take wildlife and habitat
photographs, or work with school
groups? If you are interested in
volunteering or want to learn
more about the Columbia Gorge
Refuge Stewards, a Refuge
Friends group, call the Refuge
or go to www.RefugeStewards.org.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Columbia River Gorge
National Wildlife Refuges
35501 SE Evergreen Hwy
Washougal, WA 98671
Telephone: 360/835-8767
Fax: 360/835-9780
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
For Refuge Information
1 800/344 WILD
http://www.fws.gov/ridgefieldrefuges
Washington State Relay
TTY 1 800/833-6388
Voice 1 800/833-6384
Telebraille 1 800/833-6385
May 2010
Cover Photo:
American bittern
©Craig Strand Photography
This brochure will be made
available in other formats
upon request.
Equal opportunity to participate in and
benefit from programs and activities
of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is
available to all individuals regardless
of physical or mental disability. For
more information please contact the
U.S. Department of the Interior Office
of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street,
NW Washington, D.C. 20210.