Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge

Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Watercress Darter NWR
Map showing the location of Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
LocationJefferson County, Alabama, United States
Nearest cityBessemer, Alabama
Coordinates33°22′29″N 86°57′46″W / 33.374647°N 86.962892°W / 33.374647; -86.962892
Area24.52 acres (9.92 ha)[1]
Established1980
Visitors3,000 (in 2005)
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WebsiteWatercress Darter NWR

Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge is a 25-acre (100,000 m2) National Wildlife Refuge located in Jefferson County, Alabama, within the city limits of Bessemer. Watercress Darter NWR consists of a .25-acre (1,000 m2) pond known as Thomas Spring which is essential to the survival of the endangered watercress darter. A second pond was built on the site in 1983. The facility is unstaffed, but is administered by the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge in Anniston, Alabama.

Wildlife

Watercress Darter

The facility operates exclusively to protect the endangered watercress darter.

Facilities

The refuge is open to the public and offers limited opportunities for hiking and wildlife photography. Fishing is not permitted on the refuge for the protection of the watercress darter.

See also

References

  1. ^ "National Wildlife Refuges - Acres by State and Unit" (PDF). US Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved September 6, 2016.