U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Seedskadee
National Wildlife
Refuge
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UNIVERSITY OF MICHiCAN
LIBRARIES
JAN 19 2004
DEPOSITED BY |
A
UNITED STATES OF AMERIC









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riparia, was and
sagebrush ſplands.”
These diverse habitats
support the life needs
of the ºriety
of wildlife species that
spend all or part of -
their year here.


Welcome to
Seedskadee
National Wildlife
Refuge
*W.
This blue goose,
designed by
J.N. “Ding”
Darling, has
become the
symbol of the
National Wildlife
Refuge System.
Historical
Perspective
What does “Seedskadee” mean?
Shoshone Indians named the river
“Sisk-a-dee-agie” or “river of the
prairie hen.” Through the careless
pronunciation of fur trappers, the
Shoshone name was later changed to
“Seedskadee.” The prairie hen, or
sage grouse, as it is now known, is
still common here, but the river is
now called the Green River because
of its color.
Seedskadee National Wildlife
Refuge (NWR) was established in
1965 through the Colorado River
Storage Project Act of 1956. This
Act provided for the development
of wildlife habitat to offset the loss
of wildlife habitat that resulted
when Flaming Gorge and Fontenelle
Dams were built.
Seedskadee (NWR) is one of over
540 refuges in the National Wildlife
Refuge System - a network of lands
set aside specifically for wildlife.
Managed by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, the Refuge System
is a living heritage, conserving
wildlife and habitat for people today
and generations to come.
The first recorded humans in this
area arrived when continental ice
sheets receded to the north. They
were followed by the Shoshone
Indians who began arriving in this
area approximately 700 years ago.
Both groups were nomadic, largely
dependent on buffalo and antelope
herds that migrated through the area.
The early 1800s marked the arrival
of the first European trappers to this
area in search of beaver to trap. These
rugged mountain men, including
Jebediah Smith, Jim Bridger, and
William Sublette, crossed the Green
River where Seedskadee NWR is
now located.
Beginning in 1841, many emigrants
followed in these trappers' footsteps.

The much traveled Oregon, Mormon,
California, and Pony Express trails
all cross the Refuge. Segments of
these trails can still be seen on and
adjacent to the Refuge.
º
|
Barnhard cabin
With the arrival of the railroad in 1868,
stockmen began to settle in the area.
Intensive livestock grazing in the late
1800s caused the gradual deterioration
of wildlife habitat. As the new century
began, homesteaders also made
their mark on the land. Some of the
structures they built, now considered
national historical sites, can still be
seen on the Refuge. For more in-
depth historical information, pick up
our brochure titled “A Historical
Perspective” at Refuge headquarters.
Managing One of the original goals of the
Habitat for a Refuge was to provide suitable nesting
Diversity of and rearing habitat for waterfowl.
Wildlife Refuge management today is focused
on maintaining a variety of native
habitats and wildlife, with emphasis
on migratory birds, threatened and
endangered species, and species of
special concern (Federal or State listed
species that are declining in numbers
or their habitat is threatened). Thanks
to current management techniques,
Refuge habitats support a rich
diversity of wildlife species including
50 species of mammals, 11 species of
reptiles and amphibians, and over
200 species of birds. For a complete
species list, pick up our brochure
titled “Wildlife Observation Guide”
at the Refuge headquarters.





Riparian The riparian habitat (habitat that
Habitat borders the river) at Seedskadee
NWR is made up of cottonwoods,
willows, and many other plants that
are restricted to flood plains or areas
of permanent subsurface water
supplies. These plants are dependent
On Water from the Green River for
their survival. Similarly, many species
of wildlife depend on riparian plants
to fulfill their life needs.
Thousands of migrating songbirds,
like the rufous hummingbird and
Wilson's warbler, rely on riparian
habitat for refueling when traveling
further north to their breeding
grounds. Other songbirds such as
the yellow warbler and northern
(Bullock's) Oriole stop to nest. Bald
eagles, several hawk species, great
blue herons, moose, mule deer, beaver,
and porcupine also raise their young
in the riparian area.
- - º
- ---
Fº
arian habitat
Fontenelle Dam has created major
challenges concerning the health
of the riparian habitat. Before
construction of the dam, the Green
River water levels responded solely
to the uncertainties of nature.
Flooding usually occurred in the
spring, tapering off to reduced flows
in Summer. Natural marshlands
bordered the river and spring flooding
was their primary source of water.





Wetland Habitat
Trumpeter swams with young
After construction of the dam in
1965, people began to control the
river flows. Human control has
resulted in a decrease in spring
floods and a reduction in the
amount of sediment carried by the
river. This has caused a gradual
deepening of the river channel,
further reducing the likelihood of
flooding, making it difficult for
tree and willow roots to reach water
and inhibiting the germination of
new seedlings. Field research has
confirmed that cottonwood forests
are aging and not being replaced.
The dam's affect on the river and
riparian habitat is very complex and
may be compounded by factors other
than flooding, such as long-term
climate changes and heavy pressure
from animals feeding on woody
vegetation. Research is ongoing to
help determine how to increase the
production of new cottonwoods and
willows in the riparian areas.
Wetlands along the Green River are
created when water is diverted into
natural and man-made basins. Refuge
staff manage water levels to provide
a variety of water depths. Birds such
as trumpeter Swans and ruddy ducks
prefer deep water wetlands for
nesting and feeding, while migrating
shorebirds such as American avocets,
long-billed dowitchers, and a variety
of Sandpipers are attracted to shallow,
flooded mud flats to look for food.
White-faced ibis, redheads, cinnamon

Upland Habitat
Habitat
Management
Tools
--~~~ º -
* ****
Pronghorn fawn
teal, pied-billed grebes, Sora rails,
marsh wrens, yellow-headed
blackbirds, and muskrats are all
common in the wetlands.
Sagebrush uplands dominate the
landscape away from the river. The
Refuge is fenced to keep domestic
livestock from grazing and trampling
vegetation so that forage and nesting
cover remain available for wildlife
like pronghorns, mule deer, sage
grouse, waterfowl, and small
mammals. Fenced water access lanes
are provided so that livestock on
adjacent grazing allotments can reach
the river water without disturbing
much Refuge habitat. Species that
depend on large expanses of healthy
sagebrush grassland communities
include the Sage grouse, Sage Sparrow,
sage thrasher, Brewer's sparrow,
ferruginous hawk, pygmy rabbit,
and pronghorn.
In their continuing efforts to
enhance Refuge habitats, Refuge
staff also use other management
tools such as prescribed burning,
native plant seeding, hunting, and
control of invasive weeds. On
thousands of acres, invasive plant
species such as perennial pepperweed
and Canada thistle have become
dominant, greatly reducing the value
of the habitat available to wildlife
on the Refuge. Biological, mechanical,
and chemical controls are used to
manage these invasive plants.


Enjoying
Your Visit
Recreational activities abound at
Seedskadee NWR.While you are
here, take advantage of opportunities
to fish, hunt, canoe, observe and
photograph wildlife, or go for a hike
or bicycle ride.
Hunting and fishing on the Refuge are
permitted in accordance with State
and Federal regulations. Fishing for
whitefish and cutthroat, brown, and
rainbow trout is allowed throughout
the Refuge, but special State
regulations apply. Several areas on
the Refuge are closed to hunting.
Become familiar with all special
Refuge hunting regulations and the
boundaries of hunting units before
going afield. Contact the Refuge
headquarters or consult the “Refuge
Hunting and Fishing Regulations”
brochure, available at the Refuge
headquarters and primary entrance
points, for further information.
An auto tour route takes you near
a variety of Refuge habitats and
provides good opportunities for
viewing wildlife. The route is generally
passable by passenger vehicles;
however, caution is recommended
after rain and snow. All other dirt
roads are only seasonally passable
and are not maintained. These roads
may be hazardous due to erosion
and changing weather conditions.
Four-wheel drive or high-clearance
vehicles are recommended for these
roads. Seasonal closures may also
be in effect.
Hiking is permitted throughout
the Refuge, so park your car and do
some exploring on foot. Please
avoid disturbing animals by getting
too close to them. You will know you
are approaching too close when
animals stop feeding, stand up if
they’ve been resting, change their
direction of travel, or turn and start
moving away. Trumpeter Swans are
very sensitive to disturbance; please
remain at least 400 yards away from
Swans. Staff at the Refuge visitor
center and headquarters are available
to answer questions or to provide
further information.
Fishing on the Green River
Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
is located 37 miles north of Green
River, Wyoming. Follow I-80 west
out of Green River to exit 83, La
Barge Road/Highway 372. Drive
27 miles north on Highway 372 to
the Refuge headquarters turnoff.
Visitors should bring sufficient
water, food, and fuel for their visit.
The Refuge is located in a remote
area and visitor services are not
available nearby.


Seedskadee
National Wildlife Refuge
Map Section
| This Page
s
\ . To Tailrace Campground |
and Fontenelle Junction
McCullen Bluff
7. Hamp Wetland
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To Fontenelle Junction, 4×. " - FlickerTrail */ and Gasson Bridge
Fontenelle Dam, and Weeping Rock N.45. / * > ..." R*. "
and Slate Creek Campgrounds N º
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Wetland
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- - Lombard Ferr
0 Kilometers 4. | > - Historical §
|
(Map Legend on following page) *-
Dry Creek























| Map Section
| This Page
----------------------------
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Seedskadee
National Wildlife Refuge
- Refuge Boundary
-º- Federal Interstate Highway
Federal Freeway
–28– Paved State Highway
County Road - Gravel Road
passable year-round
-------- Auto Tour Route - Gravel Road
passable year-round
— — — Unimproved Road - may not
be passable year-round
(use caution after rain or snow)
— Gravel Road - passable year-round
Dry Creek
- -
-
- - - - - - - - -
-
-
-
- -
-
-
-
-
º
Q
Unimproved Road
Seasonal Closure
NOVember 15 - March 15
Fence line Where
it deviates from the
Refuge boundary
River
Area Closed to
Migratory Bird Hunting
No Hunting Zone
Private Property
Livestock Access Lanes
tº Refuge Headquarters -
Accessible rest rooms
and information
§ Interpretive Foot Trail
s Boat Launch
[+] Overlook
17. Highway Mile Marker
(7) Miles from Highway 28 on
County Road 8 - Farson Cutoff
^ Road Markers - Road markers
provide a reference point on
the Refuge that correlates to
the map.
17.
To Green River
Big Island Bridge
(closed to vehicles)
º
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- - -
Big Island A
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Seedskadee
National
Wildlife Refuge
Regulations
Vehicles
Camping and
Fires
Firearms,
Ea:plosives, and
Other Weapons
Special regulations are necessary to
protect wildlife and habitat. Please
familiarize yourself with the Refuge
regulations and respect the
privileges of other recreationists on
the Refuge. Your understanding of
Refuge regulations will make your
visit a safe and enjoyable one.
To protect habitat, all vehicles,
including bicycles, must stay on
designated roads as shown on the
map. All motorized vehicles, including
ATV's and motorcycles, and all
operators, must be licensed and
insured for highway driving.
Snowmobiles are prohibited. Vehicles
must be parked in designated parking
areas or pullouts, or within 10 feet
of designated roads. The speed limit
is 25 miles per hour unless posted
otherwise. Please avoid driving on
wet roads as road and habitat damage
may occur. Drivers damaging Refuge
roads may be fined.
Camping, open fires, and wood
cutting or gathering are prohibited
on all Refuge lands. Camping
opportunities are offered at
Bureau of Land Management
(BLM) operated campgrounds
located along the river just above
and below Fontenelle Dam (Slate
Creek, Tailrace, Weeping Rock,
and Fontenelle campgrounds).
Carrying, possessing, or discharging
firearms on the Refuge is prohibited
except when using legal firearms, as
prescribed by the State of Wyoming,
for approved hunting. Firearms
must be unloaded (no ammunition in
either the chamber or the magazine)
and cased or dismantled when
transported in a vehicle or a boat.
Carrying, possessing, or discharging
explosives, including fireworks, is
strictly prohibited. Target shooting
is prohibited.
Animal and
Plant Life
Introduction
of Plants and
Animals
Historical
Artifacts and
Other Valued
Objects
Pets
Boating
Fishing
Hunting
Collecting, possessing, disturbing,
injuring, poisoning, or destroying
any plant or animal or part thereof
(alive or dead) is prohibited (except
legally taken game).
Plants and animals, or their parts,
may not be introduced or placed on
the Refuge.
Searching for, removing, or
damaging historic items, Native
American artifacts, or fossils is
prohibited. No person shall search
for or remove rocks, stones, or
mineral specimens.
Pets are permitted only if they are
confined or leashed (except hunting
dogs when participating in a legal
hunt).
The Green River is a shallow, Swift
river with many rocks hidden
beneath the surface. It is best
suited for canoes, drift boats, and
rafts. Motors are not recommended.
Personal water craft, air boats, and
jet boats are prohibited. Boats must
be equipped and operated in
accordance with Wyoming boating
laws which can be obtained through
the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department.
The Green River is open to fishing
throughout the Refuge in accordance
with Wyoming Fishing Regulations.
Commercial guiding requires a special
use permit. Contact the Refuge
Manager or consult “Refuge Hunting
and Fishing Regulations,” available
at the Refuge headquarters, for
further information.
Limited hunting is available on the
Refuge. Commercial guiding for
hunting is prohibited. Contact the
Refuge Manager or consult “Refuge
Hunting and Fishing Regulations,”
available at the Refuge headquarters,
for further information.
Closed Areas/
Refuge Hours
Disposal of
Waste
Government
Property
Livestock
Access Lanes
Refuge Signs And
Their Meaning
Refuge headquarters is open from
7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through
Friday. The Refuge is open to the
public from one-half hour before
Sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
year-round. Specific areas may be
closed to hunting, fishing, and all
other public access to provide for
resource protection or public safety.
Contact the Refuge Manager or
consult “Refuge Hunting and Fishing
Regulations” for further information.
Dumping of litter, sewage, liquid
wastes, or any other material on the
Refuge is prohibited.
Destruction, injury, defacement,
disturbance, or removal of any
government or private property or
natural objects is prohibited.
When in doubt about any regulation,
contact Refuge staff.
There are 17 livestock water access
lanes on the Refuge. These fenced
lanes were created to allow livestock
access to water on the river. The
Refuge owns and manages the lands
located within the livestock access
lanes. All Refuge regulations apply
to these access lanes. Vehicles
parked within these lanes must be
parked in designated parking areas
or along the fence line at least 100
yards from the river. Responsible
parking will permit livestock
unobstructed access to water.
The following information is
provided to help you understand the
meaning of regulatory signs that you
will see on the Refuge.
Nºonal Y. These signs indicate
Yºº the boundary of lands
TV administered by
BoundaBY | Seedskadee NWR. The
consul Meneger for Aegulstone
fºgrjurº-zim
• *Hººr- fence line is not always
the boundary line.

Accessibility
Information
Areas behind these
HUNTING | signs are closed to
all hunting.
Areas behind these
signs are closed to
migratory bird hunting.
To protect habitat and
minimize wildlife
disturbance, roads behind
these signs are closed
to all vehicle travel,
including bicycles.
Seedskadee NWR is
closed to all forms of
camping, including
overnight parking.
Areas behind these
signs are closed to all
public entry.
Equal opportunity to participate
in and benefit from programs
and activities of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is available to all
individuals regardless of physical
or mental ability. Dial 7-1-1 for a free
connection to the State transfer relay
Service for TTY and Voice calls to
and from the speech and hearing
impaired. For more information or
to address accessibility needs, please
contact Refuge staff at 307/875 2187
or the U.S. Department of the Interior,
Office of Equal Opportunity, 1849 C
Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.



Seedskadee National Wildlife Refuge
PO Box 700
Green River, WY 32935
307 / 875 2187.
307 / 875 4425 fax
seedskadeeGºfuws.gov
http://seedskadee.fws.gov
For State transfer relay service
TTY/ Voice: 711
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
For Refuge information
1800/344 WILD
September 2003
--
chigan
T.I. |
Male sage grouse
USFWS
Tºº
4804