Wildlife and Habitat
Eighteen miles long and up to ten miles (16 km) wide, the refuge consists of over 14,500 acres (59 km2) of bottomland hardwood forest, 5,000 acres (20 km2) of upland forest, 3,000 acres (12 km2) of shrub/wooded swamp, 16,000 acres (65 km2) of reforested farmland, and 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) of open water. About 80% of the refuge is subject to annual flooding from December through May.
The central physical feature is the Ouachita River, which bisects the refuge. The river’s wide floodplain is characterized by alluvial soils. Refuge supports concentrations of ducks, geese, wading birds, raptors and a small wintering population of bald eagles.
The refuge provides excellent wintering habitat for tens of thousands of ducks and geese. The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and the threatened Louisiana black bear are found on Upper Ouachita NWR. Other wildlife species that call the refuge home include alligators, deer, turkey, squirrels, bald eagles and beaver. Upper Ouachita NWR is one of the four refuges managed in the North Louisiana Refuge Complex.
Read more about this topic: Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
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