Unmatched anywhere in the world, the National Wildlife Refuge System is an extensive network of lands and waters protected and managed especially for wildlife and its habitat. This unique system encompasses over 100 million acres of lands and waters from north of the Arctic Circle in Alaska to the subtropical waters of the Florida Keys and beyond to the Caribbean and South Pacific. The National Wildlife Refuge System is managed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which manages and protects over 540 refuges for the benefit of both wildlife and present and future generations of Americans. The lands managed as the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge are a part of this system.

Introduction:

Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful bottomland hardwood forest located in western Kentucky. The refuge lies along the east fork of the Clarks River and is seasonal home to over 250 different species of migratory birds. The refuge currently consists of 8,500 acres and is the only refuge located solely within the bounds of the state of Kentucky. The city of Benton, KY can be found near the southeastern end of the refuge, whereas the city of Paducah, KY is situated near the refuge’s northwestern boundary.
Picture of office to left of text or indented at beginning

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Bottomland Hardwood Preservation Program first identified the present-day Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge as a high priority site for protection in 1978. In 1991, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources asked the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service to consider the site for protection as a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The refuge was established in July of 1997 under the Emergency Wetland Resources Act of 1986, with a proposed acquisition of 18,000 acres, and the first tract of land was purchased in August of 1998.


Refuge Facts:

Established: 1997.
Acres: 8,500.
Located in Marshall, McCracken, and Graves County, Kentucky.
Location: the refuge is located in western Kentucky between Benton and Paducah on the East Fork of the Clarks River.

Refuge Management:
The east fork of Clarks River is a comparatively slow-moving river due to the area’s low topography and flat floodplains. It is also one of the few rivers in the area that has not been dammed or channelized. Localized flooding for short periods is the norm in this region, as moderate rains frequently cause the streams to flood over their banks. The Clarks River meanders for about 6 miles, from the East and West Fork convergence, until it reaches the Tennessee River.

The most significant resources of Clarks River NWR are the wetland habitat complexes formed by the river, creeks, beaver ponds and natural ponding in the area. Bottomland hardwood forests are especially valuable in terms of providing wildlife habitat, preventing soil erosion, and protecting water quality. Bottomlands flood anywhere from several inches to several feet seasonally, typically in winter and spring months.

On Clarks River NWR, the bottomland hardwood forests are composed of overcup oak, bald cypress, and tupelo gum trees. Slightly higher, better drained areas are covered with willow oak, swamp chestnut oak, red oak, sweet gum, sycamore, ash, and elm.

Bottomland forests have been in decline throughout the past century due to human influences such as agriculture and urban sprawl, making places like Clarks River NWR even more vital for the species that utilize and thrive in these habitats.

Managing For Wildlife:

The primary management objectives of the Clarks River NWR are to provide habitat for a natural diversity of wildlife associated with the Clarks River and its floodplain while providing opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation.

Water birds – Levees and water control structures are used on the refuge to impound water on crop fields in order to provide wintering habitat for migratory waterfowl. Water management typically occurs in late summer to early fall, in preparation for waterfowl migration. This type of management also provides additional habitat for other water birds such as herons, killdeer, and sandpipers.

Songbirds – Since 2003, Clarks River NWR has been involved in an important migratory songbird monitoring endeavor, the MAPS (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) program. During the summer breeding season, stations are setup within forested habitats where songbirds are captured by means of a fine gauge mist net, banded with a small numbered leg band, and released. Data such as age, sex, and condition are recorded for each bird captured to determine their status, movement, and productivity. The results of these monitoring efforts help detect population trends in many species of migratory songbirds, a great number of which are declining.

A portion of the refuge is also managed in native warm season grasses for songbirds associated with grasslands. Native warm season grass habitat, made up of grass species such as big bluestem, little bluestem, and switchgrass, is maintained by prescribed burning or mowing.

Other Wildlife – The refuge also participates in a cooperative faming program where farmers plant crops in a share system. In return for using refuge land for agriculture, farmers are required to leave a percentage of their crops for wildlife. This provides a supplement to the natural foods provided on the refuge.



Refuge Residents:

Migratory Waterfowl – Arriving in early autumn and usually peaking in late December, many species of migratory waterfowl such as mallards, black ducks, ring-necked ducks, hooded mergansers and common mergansers utilize Clarks River Refuge as winter habitat. An autumn visit to the refuge can be an extraordinary event revealing both the remarkable species of migratory waterfowl and the beautiful colors of fall leaves!

Migratory Songbirds – Neotropical songbirds spend approximately 8 months a year wintering in Central and South America and the remaining months on breeding grounds in North America’s temperate latitudes.

Over 200 species of neotropical songbirds can be found at Clarks River Refuge. Species such as the imperiled cerulean warbler, the Swainson’s warbler and the prothonotary warbler are three of the five birds on the Service’s list of highest priority neotropical migratory bird species dependent on forested wetland, and each is suspected to be found in the Clarks River Refuge area. Other neotropical songbirds, such as summer and scarlet tanagers, Kentucky warblers, indigo buntings and Acadian flycatchers, utilize the refuge for breeding and migration habitat. Because of protected lands like the Clarks River Refuge, the music and beauty of the songbirds has not faded!

Other Wildlife – Clarks River Refuge is also home to a wide variety of upland game species, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. Some of the more commonly seen wildlife includes white tailed deer, raccoons, beavers and coyotes. A closer look, however, reveals many of the more inconspicuous species of small mammals such as minks, mice, rabbits and squirrels that can be easily overlooked.

A walk through the refuge during spring, summer and fall months can be a delightful experience because of the trees and flowers in bloom. Some of the more common trees include overcup oak trees, swamp chestnut oak trees, willow oak trees, bald cypress trees and sycamore trees. Some of the more colorful and stunning flowering plants include the orange spotted touch me not, the passion-flower, the partridge pea and the Indian pink.

During the warm summer months, the refuge’s wet areas provide wonderful habitat for many frogs, salamanders and snakes. The calls of different frogs can serve as a different, yet fascinating, new type of music to the ears. Unfortunately, the summer months also provide wonderful habitat for some of the more annoying insects including ticks, mosquitoes and chiggers, which can be troublesome when not properly prepared. Remember to pack the bug spray to avoid contact with these insects!


Enjoy the Refuge!

Wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, and canoeing are all popular uses of the refuge. Public use areas are open daily during daylight hours, except as modified by seasonal refuge regulations.

Wildlife Observation/Photography – Wildlife is plentiful throughout the refuge and is easily observed. Vehicles are allowed on designated roads only. Foot traffic is also permitted year around on roads and trails, except for seasonally closed areas.

Fishing – Most of the refuge’s waters are open year around for fishing. Some areas are closed seasonally to provide sanctuary for waterfowl and wildlife. In early spring, crappie abound. Later in the season, catfish, bass and bluegill are more plentiful and provide exciting sport fishing for many. More information is available in a fishing regulations brochure at the refuge office.

Hunting – Public hunting is currently permitted on the refuge. More information is available in a separate hunting regulations brochure at the refuge office.

Canoeing – The Clarks River does provide some canoeing opportunities. However, some porting may be required due to the abundant snags found throughout the river. Portions of the river are still privately owned, so beware of boundary markings.


Wildlife Viewing Tips:

Dawn and dusk are the best times to see wildlife.

Observe from the sidelines. Leave “abandoned” young animals alone. The parent is probably close by waiting for you to leave. Don’t offer snacks, it could disrupt their digestive systems.

Cars make good observation blinds. Drive slowly and stop to scan places where wildlife might be taking cover. Use binoculars or a long lens for a closer look.

Try sitting quietly in one good location. Let wildlife get used to your presence. Many animals that appear hidden will reappear once they think you are gone. Walk quietly in designated areas, being aware of sounds and smells. Often you will hear more than you will see.

Teach children quiet observation. Other wildlife watchers will appreciate your consideration.

Look for animal signs. Tracks, scat, feathers and nests left behind often tell interesting stories.



Refuge Regulations

Refuge boundary signs define refuge boundaries. “Area closed” signs are erected to minimize disturbance to waterfowl or other wildlife and for public safety.

Searching for and removal of objects of antiquity is prohibited.

Firearms are prohibited on the refuge except during authorized hunting seasons. Firearms must be unloaded and encased when traveling through the refuge.

Disturbing or feeding wildlife and collecting plants is strictly prohibited.

Pets on a leash are permitted.

Camping is prohibited.

Open fires are prohibited.

ATV’s are not allowed.

Bicycling is permitted on established roads during normal public use hours.

Use of artificial lights, including vehicle lights, to observe wildlife is prohibited.

Facilities accessible to the physically challenged are available.

Directions
Getting There . . .
From I-24…take exit 25, south on Purchase Parkway. Take exit 43 off the Purchase Parkway, go right (east) on Hwy. 348. Take Hwy 641 north and go 1.2 miles to Refuge Headquarters at 91 U.S. Hwy 641 North. The Refuge is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telephone number is 270-527-5770.