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Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Refuge Manager
Medicine Lake, MT 59247
Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is situated on the glaciated rolling plains of northeastern Montana. This refuge lies within the highly productive prairie pothole region which extends from southern Canada through northeast Montana, the Dakotas and western Minnesota. The region contains many thousands of small wetlands which produce over 50 percent of the waterfowl originating in the contiguous United States. Medicine Lake NWR lies in the mixed grass and short grass prairie transition zone. Marshes, shelterbelts, croplands, grasslands and large water bodies provide both migration and nesting habitat for a vast array of wildlife.
The refuge consists of two units comprising 31,457 acres. The north unit contains the 8,700 acre Medicine Lake as well as eight other small lakes. The Homestead Unit consists of the 1,280 acre Homestead Lake and adjacent uplands.
The refuge staff is also responsible for management of the Northeastern Montana Wetlands Management District, consisting of over 40 separate waterfowl production areas totaling in excess of 10,000 acres in a three county area. These areas have been acquired and are intensively managed primarily for waterfowl production. An additional 7,500 privately owned wetland acres within the district are also protected from burning, fill and drainage by perpetual wetland easements with private landowners.
History
Medicine Lake is located above the ancestral Missouri River channel which originally flowed north to the Hudson Bay. The last glacial activity forced it to turn its course to the south as the glacial sheet moved down from Canada. When the massive sheet of ice receded, it left a blanket of glacial till resulting in rocky rolling hills with numerous wetlands and marshes.
In times past, plains Indians frequently used this area as a campsite while pursuing migrant buffalo herds and waterfowl flocks. Many of the surrounding hills contain rings of stones that mark locations of ceremonial sites or campsites.
The refuge was established in 1935 by Presidential Executive Order. This order set apart 23,700 acres for wildlife conservation. Subsequent acquisition increased the refuge to the present size of 31,457 acres.
In 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) set up camp on the refuge and 180 men began work. During the camp's four years of operation, many conservation projects were undertaken including dams, dikes, shelter-belts, and fences. In addition, many refuge roads and buildings were constructed.
The 11,360 acre Medicine Lake Wilderness Area was established by Congress in 1976. This area includes the main water body of the lake and the islands within. Also included is the 2,320 acre Sandhills Unit with its unique rolling hills, native grass, cactus, and clumps of chokecherry, buffalo berry, and buck brush.
Management of the Refuge
Medicine Lake and its surrounding water impoundments are dependent on runoff provided from spring snowmelt and heavy summer thundershowers. The two main tributaries are Lake Creek to the northeast and Big Muddy Creek to the north. Both drainages have the potential to provide massive floods during spring runoff following heavy winter snowpack.
Drought also occurs periodically in this region. Being entirely dependent on precipitation, the prairie potholes commonly become dry. Though large-scale drought can be devastating to waterfowl populations, this drying of wetland basins is very important to maintain the productivity of the wetlands. Nutrients that are accumulated in dead plant matter decompose in the presence of oxygen and return to the soil. With the
return of the wet cycle comes an increased growth ot aquatic vegetation and invertebrates, both a prime food source for waterfowl.
The refuge contains a series of impoundments, water control structures, and canals. These structures and canals are used to maintain optimum water conditions for waterfowl needs. When adequate water flows are available, fresh water is circulated through the pools and marshes to maintain and improve water quality.
Management of the refuge grasslands is aimed at providing the highest quality waterfowl nesting cover possible. Nesting cover has been established on 2,800 acres of old farm fields.
Neighboring farmers grow grain crops on designated refuge acres each year. The refuge share, approximately 25%, is left standing to provide a food source for many species of wildlife.
Wildlife
Restoration of a breeding population of Great Basin Canada geese was initiated in 1938 and supplemented with releases of additional birds up to 1957. Today the resident refuge population of Canada geese is in excess of 1,000 birds with annual production of about 900 goslings.
Marsh and water areas of the refuge attract up to a quarter million waterfowl during the spring and fall migration. Blue-winged teal, gadwall, shoveler, lesser scaup, ruddy and mallard occur in significant numbers, while pintail, wigeon, redhead and canvasback occur in lesser numbers. Some of these species remain to nest on the refuge and produce up to 30,000 ducklings each year.
The refuge has one of the largest white pelican rookeries left in the United States. This magnificent white bird with its 9-foot wingspan can commonly be observed soaring over the refuge during the summer. Big Island provides a safe sanctuary for this colonial nester. Over 2,000 pelicans are generally produced each year.
The refuge islands provide secure nesting sites for other colonial nesters including double-crested cormo-rants, California and ring-billed gulls, and great blue herons. Grebes, and many other marsh and shore birds nest in the vegetation and on the shoreline of the lakes.
Late October brings thousands of sandhill cranes to the vicinity of the refuge for a short stop on their way south. The refuge is located in the migrational corridor for the endangered whooping crane, bald eagle, and peregrine falcon. These rare species make occasional visits in the spring and fall.
The refuge supports an active breeding population of endangered piping plovers. Up to 30 pairs of the small shorebird, identified by its distinctive single neck band and flute-like call, have nested on the refuge in recent years.
Ring-necked pheasants are commonly seen along the refuge tour route. The roosters are often heard crowing during the spring mating season. Pheasants find the heavy grass, alfalfa and grain mixture (which is seeded for waterfowl nesting cover) to their liking and population numbers have risen significantly as more cover was developed.
White-tailed deer also find these stands of seeded grass and brush-covered coulees to their liking. A late evening drive through the refuge will reveal one of the largest white-tailed deer populations in northeast Montana.
The prairie grasslands provide a summer home for many prairie birds. Among them are the burrowing and short-eared owls, lark bunting, Baird's and LeConte's sparrows, chestnut-collared and McCown's longspurs, and occasionally the Sprague's pipit. In early spring, sharp-tailed grouse begin their elaborate courtship ritual on the numerous refuge dancing grounds. Male grouse will strut and stomp with wings outstretched, attemtping to attract a female.
Visiting the Refuge
Opportunities for wildlife observation and photography are plentiful. A self-guided auto tour route through a scenic portion of the refuge is open from May 1 until the opening of waterfowl season, usually late September. The months of May and October provide the most favorable opportunities for observing the varied wildlife.
Picnic facilities for day use only are available on the west end of the refuge. Portions of the refuge are open for hunting and fishing in compliance with State seasons and regulations. All of the waterfowl production areas are available for wildlife observation, hunting and trapping. Maps explaining the hunting and fishing units and special refuge regulations are available at the refuge headquarters.
Refuge headquarters is located one mile south of the town of Medicine Lake and two miles east of State Highway 16.
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