# *Field Report *Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

##  1.0 Summary

Havasu National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) has limited potential for the
introduction of Alternative Transportation Systems (ATS). Due to the
Refuge's primary mission to con­serve and protect the natural
environment, visitation to the Refuge must be controlled to limit the
number of visitors and their activities. Currently the number of
visitors and the type of activities on the Refuge are not conducive to
the requirements necessary to sup­port ATS.

The primary facilities that support visitor activities at Havasu NWR
include boat ramps, piers, and vehicle parking areas, which are located
along a 24-mile stretch of the Colorado River. There is no focal point
or specified route, such as a Visitor Center, where large numbers of
visitors are concentrated in one location. One area the Refuge
experiences high levels of visitation is personal powerboats on the
Colorado River. This activity, which occurs primarily during summer
weekends, could not be replace by ATS.

The greatest potential for use of ATS at the Refuge would only occur
after construction of a Visitor Center, or other similar facility with
the potential to draw large numbers of visi­tors in one location. A
shuttle providing nature observation tours of the Refuge, starting and
ending at the Visitor Center, would be feasible if visitation reach high
enough levels to support such a system.

##  2.0 Background Information

### 2.1 Location

The Havasu NWR is located along the Arizona and California sides of the
lower Colorado River. It extends 24 miles between Needles, California
and Lake Havasu City, Arizona (refer to Figure 1). Most of the Refuge is
located in Mohave County, Arizona along the east side of the Colorado
River. The Refuge adjoins lands belonging to the Fort Mojave Indian
Tribe, the BLM, and the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. Interstate 40 runs
through the Refuge, dividing it into the Topcock Marsh area to the north
and the Topcock Gorge and Needles Wilderness sections to the south.
South of Interstate 40, a portion of the Refuge is located along the
west bank of the Colorado River in Riverside County, California.

Access to facilities in the Topcock Marsh section of the Refuge is
provided from State Route 95 via Exit 1 of Interstate 40. Access to
facilities south of Topcock Gorge is provided from London Bridge Road
via State Route 95 in Lake Havasu City. In addition, the Atchison Topeka
and Santa Fe Railroad tracks run from Needles, California through the
Refuge along the north side of Interstate 40.

Figure 1. Site Map

![](media/image1.png){width="5.7875in" height="5.7875in"}

### 2.2 Administration and Classification

Havasu NWR is under the jurisdiction of the USFWS, Department of the
Interior. The Refuge was created in 1941 under the administration of
President Franklin D. Roosevelt to protect wildlife resources within the
areas created by the opening of Parker Dam. The Refuge headquarters is
located in Needles, California. The Refuge Manager is Mr. Gregory Wolf.

### 2.3 Physical Description

The Havasu NWR contains 38,427 acres of marsh, lake, and riverine
habitat, of which approximately 17,606 acres have been designated as
Wilderness. The Colorado River and its backwaters provide over 300 miles
of shoreline within the Refuge. Along the east bank of the Colorado
River to the north of Interstate 40, a Levee Road runs approximately 15
miles through the Refuge and connects with Topcock Road (State
Route 95). An unpaved road runs from Levee Road across the South Dike to
State Route 95 along the eastern por­tion of the Refuge. This is a
two-lane paved road that runs from Interstate 40 south of the Marsh to
Bullhead City, approximately 10 miles to the north.

The major sections of Havasu NWR are described below.

#### Topcock Marsh

Topcock Marsh consists of a 4,000-acre marsh north of Interstate 40,
which is fed by a four-mile inlet canal from the Colorado River. The
Pintail Slough is located in the northern tip of the marsh area and the
inlet canal. The marsh section contains three areas with boat ramp and
vehicular parking (North Dike, Five Mile Landing, Catfish Paradise).
Access to these facilities is provided by State Route 95.

-   **North Dike and Pintail Slough** contain a boat ramp, seven
    duck/goose-hunting blinds, and an unpaved parking area. Use of the
    boat ramp and parking areas are free, but visitors are charged
    \$10.00 per day to use the hunting blinds. Equestrian trails are
    also located around the periphery of this area.

-   **Five Mile Landing** contains a privately operated concession with
    a 20-year lease to provide temporary trailer spaces for camping,
    tackle, boat rental, docks, and grocery items. The lease agreement
    allows for overnight camping and parking of trailers and campers on
    the 74-trailer site.

-   **Catfish Paradise** contains a handicapped-accessible boat ramp,
    restroom facilities, and an unpaved parking lot.

-   **Levee Road** runs along the western edge of the Topcock Marsh
    section of the Refuge. This road provides access to the Refuge Farm
    and also access for day-use visitors that park along the road to
    fish and swim off beaches on the eastern banks of the Colorado
    River.

#### Topcock Gorge

Topcock Gorge is a scenic narrow canyon that stretches 16 miles along
the Colorado River south of Interstate 40. Castle Rock, located along
the River's east bank in the southern portion of the Gorge, provides a
site to set or remove canoes from the River.

#### Needles Wilderness

Needles Wilderness includes 14,606 acres designated as Wilderness
located to the east of the Topcock Gorge. This section is characterized
as an upland desert ecosystem containing sparse desert vegetation. There
is very little public use of the Wilderness area since there is no
vehicular accessibility. Any permitted public uses must meet the legal
mandates of the Wilderness Act.

#### South of Topcock Gorge

Narrow bands of land run along both sides of the Colorado River south of
the Topcock Gorge. Mesquite Bay (Phases I and II) are located in the
southeastern portion of the Refuge and contain pier facilities,
restrooms, and paved parking lots.

### 2.4 Mission and Goals of the Wildlife Refuge

Havasu NWR was established on January 22, 1941, as a refuge and breeding
ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Havasu NWR is part of the
National Wildlife Refuge System (the System) of lands federally-owned
and managed primarily for the conserva­tion of wildlife. As stated in the
Refuge Manual, the System mission is:

> "To provide, preserve, restore, and manage a national network of lands
> and waters sufficient in size, diversity, and location to meet
> society's needs for areas where the widest possible spectrum of
> benefits associated with wildlife and wild lands is enhanced."

### 2.5 Visitation Levels and Visitor Profile

The visitor profile for the Refuge differs by time of year. Visitors
from northern states, escaping cold winters (referred to as snowbirds),
mainly visit the Refuge from October through March. Activities of these
visitors primarily include fishing, hunting, canoeing, and wildlife
observation. During the summer months and especially on weekends,
visi­tors to the Refuge consist primarily of families from southern
California and Arizona who generally stay in Lake Havasu City, Arizona
or Needles, California. Activities of the summer visitors primarily
include active water sports such as speed boating, jet skiing, fishing,
swimming, and canoeing. There is a limited amount of horseback riding by
per­sons \[[residents?]{.mark}\] who live near the Refuge, primarily
during the months from October through March.

Current surveys have not been conducted to determine the number of
annual visitors. Estimates reported in the 1994-2014 Comprehensive
Management Plan (CMP), indicated there were 566,354 visitors to the
Refuge in 1989. Although figures are not available to provide support,
it is anticipated that visitation has increased along with the
population of the southern Colorado River region over this period, at
approximately 20 percent.

##  3.0 Existing Conditions, Issues and Concerns

### 3.1 Transportation Conditions, Issues and Concerns

Refuge roads are not congested and can handle the current number of
Refuge visitors. Even during peak periods, the parking facilities are
not fully used. Improvements to the road network to facilitate increased
visitation are not required. Large numbers of visitors to the Refuge
would be difficult to monitor and manage. It would likely lead to a
degra­dation of the natural resources that the Refuge was established to
protect.

The major form of congestion experienced at the Refuge is from personal
powerboats, especially during summer holiday weekends. The most
congested area of the Refuge is at Blankenship Bend, a large sandbar in
the Colorado River where people from boats con­gregate to party and
socialize. There are safety concerns when visitors operate power­boats
intoxicated and cause environmental damage when they leave trash on the
sand bar or in the River.

Commercial tour boat services shuttle people from Lake Havasu City to
Laughlin, Nevada. This service would likely expand as tourist facilities
in both Lake Havasu City and Laughlin, Nevada expand. Tour boat shuttles
travel the Colorado River portion of the Refuge, but generally do not
stop in the Refuge and do not pose any significant impacts to the
Refuge.

Figure 2. New Boat Ramp and Pier Facilities at Mesquite Bay

![](media/image2.png){width="4.75in" height="3.5694444444444446in"}

### 3.2 Community Development Conditions, Issues and Concerns

Havasu NWR is located to the north of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, one of
the fastest growing communities in Mohave County, which is also the most
rapidly growing county in Arizona. The tourism industry associated with
the Colorado River is an economic gen­erator for the region. The
employment base for these communities has been shifting from primarily
government and agricultural employment to a service-oriented economy.
This shift is intended to meet the growing needs of recreational users
along the Colorado River.

Bullhead City, located 10 miles to the north of the Refuge, is
experiencing significant population increases due the proximity of the
new gambling resort in Laughlin, Nevada. Lake Havasu City, also
experiencing significant population growth, is seeking to improve
facilities to increase tourism opportunities. The City, for example,
will soon begin con­struction of a bikeway linking the center of the city
to the River. Further expansion of the bikeway system is planned,
including paths along the River and a path along State Route 95 to
Interstate 40.

Havasu NWR receives wide and varied year-round visitation. This
complicates the mis­sion of the Refuge (to protect resources) and
requires a significant level of law enforce­ment. Law enforcement patrols
are conducted frequently by Refuge personnel, but with limited staff and
resources, the Refuge requires the support of law enforcement personnel
from Lake Havasu City. [\[Isn't it the county also?\]]{.mark}

Golden Shores, a year-round community comprised primarily of retired
persons, is located adjacent to the eastern boundary of the Topcock
Marsh. Residents from this community are frequent visitors to the
Refuge. In the past, this community has been sup­portive of the Refuge,
and has contributed to maintaining and cleaning up the Refuge. The
Golden Shores Marina at the south end of the Topcock Marsh is an
encroachment of the Refuge. It encompasses several hundred square feet
where boats have been allowed to moor for the marina. In lieu of a
formal lease agreement, this activity has been addressed by "special use
permit" over the past several decades.

### 3.3 Natural or Cultural Resource Conditions, Issues and Concerns

Annual flooding and movements of the River destroyed evidence of
long-term habitation or village sites. The native tradition of this
region is primarily defined through modern ethnography and historic
accounts. Cultural sites on the Refuge consist of prehistoric rock art
sites, ground images known as geoglyphs, rock alignments and clearings,
dance pat­terns, cairns, trails, and sparse scatters of pottery shards.

Over 300 species of birds, 42 species of mammals and 38 species of
reptiles have been recorded at the NWR. These include federally listed
endangered and State-listed species:

-   **Endangered Species --** Federally listed endangered species
    include the Yuma clapper rail, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and two
    Colorado River native fishes (razorback sucker and bonytail chub).

Figure 3. Typical Boating and Parking Amenities at the Havasu NWR

![](media/image3.png){width="5.009722222222222in"
height="3.745833333333333in"}

-   **State-Listed Species --** Five bird species, listed as either
    endangered or threatened by the states of California and Arizona,
    are located on the Refuge: California black rail, southwestern
    willow flycatcher, snowy egrets, Arizona Bell's vireo, and
    yellow-billed cuckoo.

### 3.4 Recreation Conditions, Issues and Concerns

With a primary objective of preserving and protecting the natural
environment, recrea­tional activities on the Refuge must be limited to
levels that can be sufficiently monitored and controlled to prevent
negative impacts to the environment. Large numbers of Refuge visitors
would conflict with the refuge's primary mission -- to protect wildlife
resources.

Recreational activities on the Refuge can be classified into three
categories:

-   **Interpretation --** Colorado River wildlife tours are conducted in
    canoes by private contractors at Topcock Gorge. In addition, tours
    are conducted on foot within the northern portion of the designated
    wilderness areas.

-   **Wildlife-Oriented Recreation --** Hunting of migratory birds (duck
    and goose) is per­mitted on the Refuge during the month of October.
    In addition, dove, quail, and rab­bit hunting also occur primarily in
    the fall. Fishing is the most popular activity, which primarily
    occurs in the spring and fall. Topcock Marsh is the primary fishing
    area.

-   **Nonwildlife-Oriented Recreation --** Nonwildlife-oriented
    recreational activities are discussed below.

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-   **Camping --** The Five Mile Landing concession is the only
    permitted camping area on the Refuge.

-   **Equestrian --** Horseback riders are primarily from the
    surrounding community and use trails in the Pintail Slough area.

-   **Water Sports --** The primary recreation activities during the
    summer months include swimming, speed boating, water skiing, jet
    skiing, tubing, and sun bathing. Weekends are peak periods for these
    activities, especially the three summer holiday weekends -- Memorial
    Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Canoeing is also a popular
    activity in spring, summer, and fall months.

-   **Off-Road Vehicles --** Although not permitted on the Refuge,
    off-road vehicles are often caught trespassing on the Refuge,
    especially during the winter months.

##  4.0 Planning and Coordination

### 4.1 Unit Plans

In the early 1990s, a Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) has been
prepared by the USFWS and the Bureau of Reclamation to develop
objectives for the four national wildlife refuges, including Havasu, in
the lower Colorado River. This plan identified objectives con­cerning
visitation and access to the Refuge. The purpose is to ensure only
compatible and appropriate activities occur on the Refuge and to
regulate activities that are potentially harmful to Refuge resources.
Key relevant objectives from the CMP are identified below.

-   Reduce levels of nonwildlife-oriented recreation on national
    wildlife refuges by strengthening enforcement and educational
    outreach efforts;

-   Reduce levels of nonwildlife-oriented recreation on the River
    channel that runs through the lower Colorado River refuges,
    eliminate all nonwildlife-oriented recrea­tion that is not
    *compatible*, increase the quality experience related to natural
    values by all River visitors, and raise public awareness of the
    lower Colorado River ecosystem values; and

-   Consider, with more detailed public use strategy development, the
    improvement of wildlife observation opportunities by adding an auto
    tour route with appropriate interpretive materials and signage in
    appropriate locations.

### 4.2 Public and Agency Coordination

The Refuge coordinates with a variety of public agencies in the region.
These agencies include the Bureau of Reclamation (responsible for
operating and maintaining the channel that passes through Havasu NWR),
Arizona Game and Fish Department (responsible for enforcing existing
conservation laws), and the BLM (responsible for managing public lands
in the western United States, including the Parker Strip Special
Recreation Management Area located south of Lake Havasu City and Parker
Dam). In addition to these State and Federal agencies, the Refuge
Manager maintains close contact with the Lake Havasu City policy-makers
and has input concerning land use changes in areas that could affect the
Refuge.

##  5.0 Assessment of Need

### 5.1 Magnitude of Need

There is limited need for an alternative transportation system to
provide access to the Refuge. The number of visitors and type of
recreational activities would not be conducive to an ATS. In addition,
the recreational activities generally require the use of personal boats
or other equipment, and are dispersed throughout the Refuge, making ATS
less fea­sible. As identified in the CMP (refer to Section 4.1), a major
objective of the Refuge is to reduce impacts to natural resources.
Growth in visitation and the number of nonwildlife-oriented recreational
activities on the Refuge would reduce the ability to monitor and control
visitor use, resulting in greater impacts to natural resources.

### 5.2 Feasible Alternatives

Based on the overall objectives of the Refuge, there are no short-term
ATS alternatives.

A Visitor Center for the Refuge is planned, but a site has not been
identified. The Visitor Center could help educate the public about the
Refuge and become a focal point, resulting in a concentration of
visitors. A long-term ATS solution would be to provide an excursion
shuttle from the Visitor Center through the Refuge. The tours would need
to be con­ducted in an environmentally non-obtrusive vehicle that limits
noise and emissions.

##  6.0 Bibliography

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Comprehensive
Management Plan Summary, Lower Colorado River National Wildlife Refuges:
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Bill Williams River National Wildlife
Refuge, Cibola National Wildlife Refuge, Imperial National Wildlife
Refuge, 1994-2114.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Final
Environmental Assessment and Comprehensive Management Plan Summary,
Lower Colorado River National Wildlife Refuges: Havasu National Wildlife
Refuge, Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge, Cibola National
Wildlife Refuge, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, 1994-2114.

http://southwest.fws.gov/refuges/arizona/havasu.html

##  7.0 Persons Interviewed

Mike McGill, Assistant Refuge Manager, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge

Bruce William, City Manager, Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Kevin Murphy, Public Works Director, Lake Havasu City, Arizona