Creedman Coulee NWR is a 2,728-acre easement refuge which contains only 80 acres of Service-owned land. Much of the remaining acreage in private ownership is farmed. It is located 30 miles north of Havre in Hill County, Montana.

Creedman Reservoir is a large retention reservoir with a recently reconstructed water control structure. A large drainage keeps water in the reservoir every year, although a portion of the water in the reservoir is encumbered by a private water right. A court case determined the water level that is reserved for wildlife habitat. Other than maintenance of the reservoir, very little habitat management is possible on this unit.

The refuge was established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Migratory birds utilize the rather large Creedman Coulee Reservoir, while prong horns and coyotes inhabit the sagebrush grasslands and croplands surrounding the reservoir.

Visitor Opportunities


Recreational opportunities include boating, hunting.

The private land portion of the refuge blocks all public access to the refuge other than what can be seen from a county road on the east boundary.

The refuge is legally open only for waterfowl hunting, but permission to hunt must be obtained first from the private land owner.

Management Programs

Creedman Coulee NWR is 97% private land taken under easement by the Service. The Service has some legal responsibility for managing the water and maintaining a water control structure, but other than that resource values are maintained by natural processes. The refuge is monitored to ensure that these values have not been compromised.

Directions

Visitors should take the blacktop state highway north from Havre, Montana. At two and a half miles north of Havre take the right fork in the road and proceed another 27 miles north to the refuge. Refuge boundary signs can be observed along the left side of the road. Creedman dam can be seen two-thirds of a mile off the road.