Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge

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Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge
Location Alabama, USA
Nearest city Bessemer, Alabama
Coordinates 33°22′28.7292″N 86°57′46.4112″W / 33.374647, -86.962892
Area 23 acres
Established 1980
Visitors 3,000 (in 2005)
Governing body U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Watercress Darter NWR
Watercress Darter NWR

Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge is a 25 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in Jefferson County, Alabama, within the city limits of Bessemer. Watercress Darter NWR consists of a .25 acre 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.

Contents

[edit] Wildlife

The facility operates exclusively to protect the endagered watercress darter.

[edit] 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.

Watercress Darter
Watercress Darter

[edit] See also

[edit] External links