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Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge
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Park Overview
Nature of the Area
For centuries, the Upper Mississippi River and its floodplain have provided habitat for hundreds of fish and wildlife species. Over time, however, the natural river has been dramatically altered for navigation, flood control -griculture and other human development, leaving fewer natural places for birds, fish and
other animals to live.
The lands and waters of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex provide fish and wildlife habitat along 350 miles of the Mississippi River corridor between Muscatine, Iowa and Gorham, Illinois. The 45,000 acres of wetland, open water, bottomland forest and grassland provide important habitat for the birds, fish and mussels, mammals -mphibians and reptiles that are native to this portion of the Upper Mississippi River. Unfortunately, many non-ative invasive species are becoming established too.
Ducks, geese, shorebirds and
marsh and wading birds feed on wetland plants and invertebrates. Many fish species use wetland vegetation for feeding, refuge from predators and
spawning substrate. Turtles, salamanders and
snakes often depend on wetlands, too. Bottomland forests are used by migrating and nesting songbirds, waterfowl, hawks and eagles, herons and egrets, deer, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Grassland species such as the meadowlark, dickcissel and
grasshopper sparrow also benefit from our refuge management programs.
History of the Area
Several units within the Complex were established in the 1940?s following construction of the lock and dam system. Those units were consolidated into Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge in 1958. Since then, other areas have been added to Mark Twain, which now includes 45,000 acres scattered along 345 miles of the Mississippi River and short distances up the Illinois and Iowa rivers. In 2000, Mark Twain NWR was split into five separate National Wildlife RefugesPort Louisa NWR, Great River NWR, Clarence Cannon NWR, Two Rivers NWR and
Middle Mississippi River NWR. The Refuge Complex administration office, located in Quincy, IL, has retained the Mark Twain name.
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is an agency of the Department of the Interior. Our mission is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.
More Info
IL Forest Preserve District of Cook County -- Cook County, IL Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex -- Quincy, IL (Printed 11/97) Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge -- Brussels, IL (Updated
Branch, IA (Printed 1993) Lake Red Rock -- Knoxville, IA (Printed 2/96) Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex -- Office in Quincy, IL Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge -- Wapello, IA Neal
...ormation, Links and
Stories around the rivers composing the Quad-Cities and outlining areas.
Comments, Questions, or Suggestions? Email The ODC Staff. Send This Page To A Friend! Enter Email Address. Contacts. Dick Steinbach, 217/224-8580. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases...
997-3344 Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge -nada District, P.O. Box 88 Annada
309) 535-2290 Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge 1704 N. 24th St
Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge