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Description:
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. Directions:
FROM LAFAYETTE, LA:Take Interstate 10 East to Whiskey Bay Exit; go north on gravel road to refuge signs.FROM BATON ROUGE, LA:Take Interstate 10 West to Whiskey Bay Exit; go north on gravel road to refuge signs.
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