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Description:
Columbia NWR is a scenic mixture of rugged cliffs, canyons, lakes, and arid sagebrush grasslands. Combined with surrounding irrigated croplands, generally mild winters, and protection provided by the refuge, the lakes attract large numbers of migrating and wintering mallard ducks, Canada geese, and other waterfowl, including tundra swans.Located in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, annual precipitation averages less than 8 inches, creating an arid, desert environment. The refuge's geological setting is channeled scabland formed when great glacial floods gouged through basalt layers, leaving distinctive canyons or "channels" and numerous rocky buttes and cliffs. The northern half of the refuge south of Potholes Reservoir is a rugged jumble of cliffs, canyons, lakes, and remnants of lava flows. This part of the Scablands, called the Drumheller Channels, was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1986.Serious planning to irrigate the Columbia Basin on a large scale began in 1918. The Columbia Basin Project was approved and construction of Grand Coulee Dam began in 1934. In 1951, the first irrigation water began flowing to Columbia Basin farmlands. Columbia NWR was established in conjunction with the irrigation project in 1944 and has been actively managed since 1955.With a reliable supply of abundant water, the lakes appeared in former canyons and low spots throughout the refuge and surrounding areas. In many places on the refuge, additional lakes and ponds were created by damming spring and seepage flows. All the present refuge lakes and impoundments are the result, directly or indirectly, of irrigation water. Around the refuge, dryland wheat areas and many acres of sagebrush were soon converted to a wide variety of irrigated crops. Many of these crops, particularly corn, provided abundant food for ducks and geese. The agricultural development, together with the numerous water areas, combined each year to provide ideal feeding and resting areas for many thousands of migrating and wintering waterfowl. Directions:
From Othello, Washington, drive 5 miles northwest on McManamon Road, then take a right turn north on Morgan Lake Road. This is the major north/south public road through the heart of the refuge. It starts off paved and turns to gravel in approximately 1.5 miles. This road will take you past McManamon Lake, Crab Creek, Frog Lake, and Upper Crab Creek trailheads and parking areas. Continuing north take the right spur road to Soda Lake Dam boat launch and the Pillar/Widgeon trailhead and parking area. Leaving the spur road and continuing north to Soda Lake Campground entrance and finally out to O'Sullivan Dam Road. A map of the refuge is available at just about every parking area for further refuge exploration.
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