Atchafalaya Basin Floodway System The project encompasses 595,000 acres of the largest contiguous tract of bottomland hardwoods in the United States. The Atchafalaya Basin is a scenic semi-wilderness area of hardwood forests, cypress stands, marshes and bayous. It is one of the last great river swamps left in the nation. The Atchafalaya River and hundreds of miles of bayous bring life to this wilderness area.
Atchafalaya NWR The 15,610 acre Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is managed under a Cooperative Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF). The LDWF in Opelousas, LA, manages refuge lands for all public use activities. The refuge area is classified as mid to late successional bottomland hardwood forest, cypress mixed with bottomland hardwoods, open water, willow, smartweed, water hyacinth, frog's bit, and cattail. Alligator weed and duck weed are prevalent in some areas. Wildlife species found on the refuge represent those found in most elevated bottomland hardwood habitats. Endangered species reported on the area include the American bald eagle, and the threatened Louisiana black bear. Osprey and swallow-tailed kites are frequent visitors, and Mississippi kites use the area throughout the summer months. The refuge was authorized on September 22, 1984, by Public Law 98-396.
Bayou Bodcau Reservoir There is no permanent pool at this flood control dam. However, Bossier Parish maintains Ivan Lake on 520 acres of reservoir lands. A major waterfowl and upland game management and hunting area is open to the public. There is an accessible (wheelchairs) hiking trail available and an environmental education center.
Bayou Cocodrie NWR Bayou Cocodrie NWR has some of the least disturbed bottomland hardwoods in the Mississippi River Valley. This refuge was established in 1992 to provide wintering habitat for waterfowl and to protect the hardwood that is nearly untouched.
Bayou Sauvage NWR Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was authorized by House Resolution 5262 on July 28, 1986. The refuge was authorized by a miscellaneous provision of the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986 and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on November 10, 1986. The refuge is comprised of 18,300 acres in fee title and 4,200 under lease agreement. The refuge is located entirely within the corporate limits of New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. The property is traversed by U.S. Highway 90, U.S. Highway 11, and Interstate 10, which provides tremendous opportunities to attract for public access from the New Orleans Metropolis. The refuge habitats include estuarine and freshwater marshes, interspersed with shallow, open water ways and a hardwood hammock. A diversity of wintering waterfowl visit the refuge with peak populations of 50,000 ducks. The threatened American bald eagle, peregrine falcon and American alligator can be found on the refuge. Public use opportunities are fishing, hiking, biking, guided tours and environmental education programs.
Big Branch Marsh NWR Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in October 1994, and is comprised of 12,000 acres of coastal marsh and pine forested wetlands. The acquisition boundary for the refuge includes 22,000 acres. The refuge is in an acquisition phase. The management objectives are to provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife species, with special emphases on migratory birds and endangered species. The Conservation Fund has donated over 10,000 acres to the Service from Richard King Mellon Foundation funds. The refuge supports over 5,000 wintering waterfowl, including mallards, gadwall and Northern Pintails. The endangered red cockaded woodpecker and American bald eagle nest in the refuge's pine forests. Public use opportunities include deer hunting, fishing and interpretive tours.
