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Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
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Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
72650 Riverview Lane
Irving, 97844
National
Park Overview
Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1969 for wildlife habitat lost to flooding caused by the construction of the John Day Lock and Dam.
The 25,347 acre refuge, located in the arid Columbia Basin of northeast Oregon and southeast Washington astride the Columbia River, includes open water, shallow marshes, backwater sloughs, croplands, islands and
shrub-steppe uplands.
Migrating waterfowl, bald eagle, colonial nesting birds, migratory songbirds, resident wildlife and rare and endangered species can be found on the refuge. It is strategically located within the Pacific Flyway to provide Arctic nesting geese and ducks a wintering site and a resting stopover.
Nature of the Area
Established in 1969 as mitigation for habitat lost through flooding caused by the construction of the John Day Dam on the Columbia River, Umatilla Refuge is a mecca for birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts. Its more than 22,800 acres are a varied mix of open water, slough, shallow marsh, riparian woodlands, seasonal wetlands, cropland, islands and
shrub-steppe upland habitats. The scarcity of wetlands and other natural habitats in this area make the refuge vital to migrating waterfowl, bald eagles, colonial nesting birds and
other migratory and resident wildlife. The refuge is divided into six units two in Oregon, three in Washington and
one 20-mile stretch of the Columbia River.
The building of dams on the Columbia River began in the 1930s and changed it from a narrow fast-flowing river to a wide slow-moving reservoir. In some places, the rivers depth was raised 25 feet. Many islands, riparian areas and
other habitats were flooded, but other arid lands were transformed into wetlands. Native cottonwoods, willows, cattails and
bulrush began to appear in previously deserted desert environments. McCormack Slough in Oregon and Paterson Slough in Washington are good examples of wetlands created by rising Columbia River water levels.
At higher elevations -bove the Columbias reach, the refuges plant communities are dominated by species capable of tolerating the hot, dry conditions of the Columbia Plateau. Common shrubs include sagebrush, bitterbrush and
rabbitbrush. Native bunchgrasses such as basin wild rye, Indian ricegrass, Idaho fescue and
Sandberg bluegrass were once common here, but today they must compete with very successful exotic plants such as cheatgrass, knapweed, tumbleweed and
perennial pepperweed.
Islands in the Columbia River are an important sanctuary for birds year round. Ducks, Canada geese, great blue herons and
black-crowned night herons nest here in spring and summer. Thousands of ducks and geese winter on the islands and
many different species rest here during spring and fall migration.
Fishing and Hunting
Fishing
Fishing for salmon, steelhead, sturgeon, walleye and
bass is popular on the Columbia River portion of the refuge. A boat ramp is available on the Patterson Unit. Boating is allowed on the Columbia River and backwaters. Nonmotorized boats with electric motors are allowed on some refuge ponds. Call for more information.
Hunting
Regulated deer hunting is permitted on portions of the refuge -s is waterfowl and upland game bird hunting. For more information, call the Waterfowl Season Hunting Hotline at (503)922-HUNT.
More Info
Bird Checklists of the United States Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge Umatilla, Oregon Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge lies along the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. Its 23,000 acres
Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge Wildlife viewing platforms and landscapes seen by the Corps. 50. Irrigon Marine Park The Corps camped - the park shore. Interpretive signs. Map Source
UmatillaMcKay Conserving the Nature of America in the Mid-Columbia River Basin Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge, Umatilla, Oregon UMATILLA NWR c/o Mid-Columbia River Refuges P.O. Box 2527
very best fruit they can. The Canoe Ridge Estate vineyard overlooks the vast Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 29,370 acres of marshes, sloughs, open water and cropland. This
resource in the region. Hope you enjoy your visit. Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge 830 Sixth Street P.O. Box 700 Post
Refuge c/o Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge Complex PO Box 239
access points to the McCormack Unit of Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge are located on Paterson Road. Follow the Refuge
west through Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge toward Boardman
The Boardman Unit is accessed from the Tower Road exit off Highway 84 approximately 3 miles west of the town of Boardman, Oregon.
The McCormack Unit is located 3 miles south of Highway 730 off of Patterson Ferry Road - Irrigon, Oregon. The Patterson, Ridge and
Whitcomb Island units are all accessed from Highway 14 in Washington.
The Columbia River portion is accessible by boat. Boat ramps are located in Irrigon and Umatilla, Oregon in Plymouth, Washington and on the Patterson Unit in Washington.
Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge
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