Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1990, the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge is located on the Ohio River from Shipping port, Pennsylvania to Manchester, Ohio. Through ongoing acquisition efforts, this Refuge has the potential to include all, or portions, of 38 islands located along 362 river miles encompassing up to 3,500 acres of fish and wildlife habitat. All but nine islands are physically located in West Virginia, making this the first national wildlife refuge in the Mountain State.

In addition to the islands, several embayments and wetlands adjacent to the mainland may be identified for future protection. These areas provide excellent fish and wildlife habitat and would be a valuable addition to the Refuge.

Why a Refuge?

The Ohio River Islands and their back channels have been recognized for years as having high quality fish and wildlife, recreation, scientific, and natural heritage values. These areas provide some of the region's highest quality riverine, wetland, and bottomland habitats, and are used by migratory and resident waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, warmwater fish, and freshwater mussels. Because there is no longer any glacial transport of sand, gravel, cobble, and boulders which formed the islands, they are irreplaceable.

Fish and Wildlife Habitat

More than 130 species of birds occur on the Refuge, including 35 species of waterbirds, 11 species of raptors, and 87 species of songbirds. The most common island mammals are beaver, cottontail rabbit, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, woodchuck, and white-tailed deer.

Over 50 species of fish have been found in waters surrounding the islands. The shallow water areas near the islands, especially the back channels, are important nursery areas for game fish such as freshwater drum, channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass and spotted bass. These same areas are favored feeding grounds for largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, and sauger. The diversity and abundance of game fish around the islands provides a popular sport fishery.

These shallow waters also support some of the richest freshwater mussel fauna in the four state area, including at least one federally endangered species, the pink mucket. Transient bald eagles and peregrine falcons also use the area. In addition, many species of plants and animals considered endangered, rare, or of special interest in Ohio and West Virginia are known to occur on the Refuge.

Refuge management will concentrate on preserving, restoring and enhancing the diversity and abundance of the fish and wildlife populations characteristic of the Ohio River. Although some early successional vegetation stages may be maintained, natural succession will be encouraged to benefit wildlife species adapted to the mature forest floodplain and associated wetland and riverine habitats.

History

The Ohio River is rich in history and many areas of archeological significance are located on or adjacent to the islands. Some notable examples include early explorers' accounts of Native Americans and their culture, George Washington's survey expeditions, the use of the river as a major transportation route by early settlers and pioneers heading west, strategic battles fought during the Civil War, and finally, use for navigation and industry.

In the early 1900's, there were 57 islands within the Refuge acquisition boundary. Today, only 41 remain. Of those, six are fully developed, leaving 35 islands and approximately 2,000 acres as Refuge lands potential.

The islands have been and continue to be used for a variety of purposes. Many islands show evidence of past Indian encampments, farming, logging, recreational camping, commercial dredging, mooring, construction, and oil drilling.

Activities

Public uses of all types have occurred on and around the Ohio River Islands in recent years. The relatively undisturbed nature of many of the islands have made them popular areas for nature study, hunting, fishing, camping, picnicking, and pleasure boating.

As islands are acquired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, all recreational activities will be evaluated to determine their compatibility with Refuge purposes. Generally, wildlife-oriented activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, photography, and wildlife observation will be encouraged. Additionally, the Service will work to develop a public use program that will include such things as interpretive trails, wildlife exhibits, and educational workshops. These opportunities will benefit school groups of all ages as well as local residents and visitors.

Because permitted activities may change, persons interested in visiting the Ohio River Islands NWR should contact the Refuge Manager for further information regarding public use regulations.

Refuge Manager
Ohio River Islands
National Wildlife Refuge
P.O. Box 1811
Parkersburg, WV 26102-1811
Phone: (304) 422-0752