1

Squaw Creek

National Wildlife Refuge

Summary

Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and

Environmental Assessment

Contents

Introduction / 3

Who We Are and What We Do / 5

Refuge Purpose / 5

Refuge Vision / 6

Purpose of and Need for the CCP / 7

Refuge Issues / 7

The Refuge Environment / 9

Management Alternatives / 15

Proposed Management Direction / 17

Plan Implementation / 18

Where You Can Find the Draft CCP / 20

Tell Us What You Think / 20

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Comprehensive Conservation Plans 

provide long-term guidance for 

management decisions; set forth 

goals, objectives and strategies needed 

to accomplish refuge purposes; and, 

identify the Fish and Wildlife 

Service's best estimate of future needs. 

These plans detail program planning 

levels that are sometimes 

substantially above current budget 

allocations and, as such, are 

primarily for Service strategic 

planning and program prioritization 

purposes. The plans do not constitute 

a commitment for staffing increases, 

operational and maintenance 

increases, or funding for future land 

acquisition.
Summary

3

Introduction Squaw Creek National Wildlife 

Refuge (Refuge), is located in Holt 

County in northwest Missouri, 

approximately midway between 

Kansas City, Missouri and Omaha, 

Nebraska, 2.5 miles off Interstate 

Highway 29 (Figure 1). This 7,415-

acre refuge includes approximately 

6,700 acres of floodplain that is 

managed as wetland, grassland and 

riparian habitats that attract up to 250 

Bald Eagles, 300,000 Snow Geese, and 

100,000 ducks during fall and winter 

seasons.

The area within the authorized 

boundary of Squaw Creek NWR 

includes 7,815 acres. The Refuge 

manages the Squaw Creek Wildlife 

Management Area, which consists of 

small parcels of land within a 15-

county area. Agriculture is the 

predominant land use in the area 

immediately surrounding the Refuge. 

Within the Squaw Creek Wildlife 

Management Area, the Refuge 

manages 34 easements obtained from 

the Farm Service Agency (FSA), 

previously known as the Farmers 

Home Administration, or FmHA. 

These easements lie in 10 of the 15 

counties that make up the Squaw 

Creek Wildlife Management District.

The nearest community is Mound 

City, which has a population of 1,273 

and is located approximately 5 miles 

from Refuge headquarters. The 

community's population has remained 

relatively stable and at the time of 

this writing did not present urban 

development issues that seriously 

threatened Refuge resources. The 

nearest big city is St. Joseph, 

Missouri, which has a population of 

71,711 in 1995. Some development has 

occurred on the outskirts of the city, 

however St. Joseph is located 

approximately 30 miles from the 

Refuge and sprawl is not expected to 

affect Refuge resources.

The Refuge gets its name from Squaw 

Creek, a major stream that drains the 

Loess Hills on the east and flows 

through the Missouri River floodplain 

lands of the Refuge via a man-made 

ditch, and then empties into the 

Missouri River approximately 8 miles 

south of the Refuge. Davis Creek, 

which has also been ditched, flows 

along the eastern Refuge boundary 

and joins Squaw Creek just after 

leaving the Refuge. The Refuge's 

west boundary is about 5 miles from 

the closest bank of the Missouri River. 

The Santa Fe-Burlington Northern 

railroad embankment runs along the 

west Refuge boundary. Its 

embankment provides some 

protection from Missouri River 

overflows. 

Refuge lowlands were once a part of a 

large natural marsh in the Missouri 

River floodplain. Historically, this 

area was heavily used by waterfowl 

and other migratory birds during 

their spring and fall migrations.

The almost 700 acres of Refuge upland 

include a segment of the 200-mile long 

band of hills known as the Loess Hills. 

The Loess Hills, formed by winddeposited, silt-sized soil particles, are 

a geologic phenomenon unique to the 

Frank Durbian
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

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Figure 1: Location of Squaw Creek NWR
Summary

5

Missouri River Valley. While loess 

deposits do exist elsewhere in North 

America and the world, only in the 

Missouri River Valley are the deposits 

deep enough to create such an 

extensive land form. The Loess Hills 

support rare remnants of native 

prairie and prairie associated wildlife. 

The Refuge hosts 301 species of birds, 

33 mammals, and 35 reptiles and 

amphibians. Missouri's largest wet 

prairie remnant (983 acres) is on the 

Refuge and it is home to Missouri's 

largest meta-population of the 

Eastern Massassauga rattlesnake.

The quality of Squaw Creek Refuge 

wetland habitat is constantly 

influenced by the heavy silt loads from 

the 60,000-acre Loess Hills watershed 

being carried into the Refuge by five 

creeks that converge to become 

Squaw Creek and Davis Creek. 

Who We Are 

and What We 

Do 

The Refuge is administered by the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 

primary federal agency responsible 

for conserving, protecting, and 

enhancing the nation’s fish and 

wildlife populations and their 

habitats. The Service oversees the 

enforcement of federal wildlife laws, 

management and protection of 

migratory bird populations, 

restoration of nationally significant 

fisheries, administration of the 

Endangered Species Act, and the 

restoration of wildlife habitat such as 

wetlands. The Service also manages 

the National Wildlife Refuge System, 

which was founded in 1903 when 

President Theodore Roosevelt 

designated Pelican Island in Florida 

as a sanctuary for brown pelicans. 

Today, the System is a network of 

over 540 refuges covering more than 

93 million acres of public lands and 

waters. Most of these lands (82 

percent) are in Alaska, with 

approximately 16 million acres located 

in the lower 48 states and several 

island territories.

The National Wildlife Refuge System 

is the world’s largest collection of 

lands specifically managed for fish and 

wildlife. Overall, it provides habitat 

for more than 5,000 species of birds, 

mammals, fish, and insects. Refuges 

also provide unique opportunities for 

people. When it is compatible with 

wildlife and habitat conservation, they 

are places where people can enjoy 

wildlife-dependent recreation such as 

hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, 

photography, environmental 

education, and environmental 

interpretation. Many refuges have 

visitor centers, wildlife trails, 

automobile tours, and environmental 

education programs. Nationwide, 

approximately 30 million people visit 

national wildlife refuges each year.

Refuge 

Purpose

Signed into existence by President 

Franklin D. Roosevelt as the “Squaw 

Creek Migratory Waterfowl Refuge” 

on August 23, 1935, in Executive 

Order 7156, the Refuge's purpose was 

to “... effectuate further the purposes 

of the Migratory Bird Conservation 

Act.” The Executive Order further 

stated that lands are to be used “as a 

refuge and breeding ground for 

migratory birds and other wildlife.”

Throughout the 100-year existence of 

the National Wildlife Refuge System, 

its functional direction and purpose 

have evolved to reflect its ever 

increasing value as a collection of 

irreplaceable habitats representing 

the diverse natural heritage of 

America. In so doing, the focus of 

individual refuges such as Squaw 

Creek have broadened from 

somewhat narrow definitions aimed at 

specific animal groups to include 

entire ecosystems and all of the 

wildlife and plants within them.
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

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Squaw Creek NWR is also managed 

to preserve, restore, and manage 

wetland and upland habitats that 

represent the Lower Missouri River 

ecosystem for the benefit of a diverse 

complex of fauna and flora, with 

emphasis on threatened and 

endangered species; and, to provide 

opportunities for the public to enjoy 

wildlife-dependent recreation, 

including environmental education 

and public outreach. 

Refuge Vision The Refuge staff envision a future 

that includes:

■ Restoration and preservation of 

the wetland ecosystems of the 

Missouri River floodplain continues to be the major management 

thrust of Squaw Creek National 

Wildlife Refuge.

■ Refuge wetlands, which include 

the largest remnant wet prairie in 

Missouri, continue to provide safe 

habitat for concentrations of 

waterfowl and other birds during 

the migration and nesting seasons.

■ The historic threat of wetland 

sedimentation has declined significantly as managers of the vast 

surrounding agriculture lands 

employ more conservative practices advocated by the Refuge 

staff and other agencies.

■ The Refuge habitat diversity 

emphasizes both wetland and 

grassland, interspersed with 

stands of mixed shrubs and woodlands, managed on a scale to minimize habitat fragmentation and to 

be attractive to indigenous species as well as neo-tropical and 

passerine birds.

■ Habitat diversity broadens each 

year as progress is made to convert former monotypic stands of 

reed canary grass, American 

lotus, and croplands to aquatic 

and upland species complexes that 

benefit both indigenous and 

migratory wildlife.

■ Squaw Creek National Wildlife 

Refuge continues to be a destination for people to enjoy wildlifedependent recreation. Dynamic 

environmental education and 

interpretive displays and programs, presented in well designed 

facilities, help the public to understand and become supportive of 

the Refuge staff's efforts to conserve, preserve and manage wildlife resources and their habitats.

■ The Refuge serves as an outdoor 

laboratory for biological researchers whose study results aid in the 

management for species of special 

concern such as the Eastern Massassauga rattlesnake, Blandings 

turtle and the Least Bittern.

■ The multi-disciplined staff of biologists, technicians, and support 

personnel are a well trained team 

proficient in their functions of 

serving Refuge visitors, cooperators, and the general public, in 

their stewardship of the resources 

put in their charge, and in their 

maintenance of Refuge facilities 

and equipment. This team places 

high value on its connections with 

the community and relies heavily 

on stakeholder input. 

■ The Refuge budget, staff, and 

administrative facilities are adequate to implement the strategies 

required to achieve the goals and 

objectives set forth in this plan.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Summary

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Purpose and 

Need for a 

CCP

The Draft Comprehensive 

Conservation Plan (CCP) identifies 

the role Squaw Creek NWR will play 

in supporting the mission of the 

National Wildlife Refuge System and 

provides primary management 

guidance for the Refuge. The plan 

articulates management goals for the 

next 15 years and defines objectives 

and strategies that will achieve those 

goals. Several legislative mandates 

within the National Wildlife Refuge 

System Improvement Act of 1997 

have guided the development of this 

plan. These mandates include: 

■ Wildlife has first priority in the 

management of refuges.

■ Wildlife-dependent recreation 

activities of hunting, fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife photography, environmental education 

and interpretation are the priority 

public uses of the Refuge System. 

These uses will be facilitated 

when they do not interfere with a 

refuge's purposes or the mission 

of the Refuge System.

■ Other uses of the Refuge will only 

be allowed when they are determined to be appropriate and compatible with the Refuge purposes 

and mission of the Refuge System. 

Following the recommendations in the 

CCP will enhance management of 

Squaw Creek NWR by:

■ Providing a clear statement of 

direction for future management 

of the Refuge.

■ Giving Refuge neighbors, visitors, 

and the general public an understanding of the Service's management actions on and around the 

Refuge.

■ Ensuring that the Refuge's management actions and programs 

are consistent with the mandates 

of the National Wildlife Refuge 

System.

■ Ensuring that Refuge management is consistent with federal, 

state and county plans.

■ Establishing long-term Refuge 

management continuity.

■ Providing a basis for the development of budget requests for Refuge operations, maintenance, and 

capital improvement needs. 

Refuge Issues At the beginning of this planning 

project, people interested in the 

future of Squaw Creek NWR were 

invited to attend an open house at the 

Refuge and discuss their ideas on the 

Refuge’s future with Refuge staff and 

Regional Office planners. Early in the 

planning process, we conducted focus 

group meetings to learn what 

management issues are important to 

the community. The Planning Team 

has also sought input into the planning 

process from the State of Missouri and 

the Regional Office. The issues and 

concerns presented here evolved 

through these discussions.

As might be expected, public 

participants at the focus group 

meeting and the open house meetings 

offered both positive and negative 

views to the issues; i.e., some 

supported Refuge expansion or onrefuge hunting while others were 

opposed. The planning team 

considered all expressed views, 

Frank Durbian
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

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written and oral, in its development of 

alternative actions and the goals and 

objectives.

Issue 1. Wildlife Habitat and 

Resource Management

Extraordinary measures may be 

required to preserve the marsh 

environment that has historically 

attracted migratory waterfowl and 

other wildlife. Squaw Creek Refuge is 

a sump-like area that lies between the 

Missouri River on the west and the 

loess bluffs on the east. The steep 

slopes on the river side of the bluffs 

along with intensive agriculture result 

in heavy silt loads in Squaw Creek and 

Davis Creek that pass through the 

Refuge on their way to the Missouri 

River. While these creeks are the 

primary water source for the Refuge, 

they also dump considerable amounts 

of silt in the managed marsh units of 

the Refuge, making them steadily 

more shallow. These marsh areas 

could eventually fill completely and 

disappear. Deer numbers exceed the 

desired density of 20-25 deer per 

square mile, negatively impacting 

habitats such as understory 

vegetation in the bottomland forests. 

This negatively impacts other species 

of interest.

Issue 2. Land Management within the 

Watershed Impacts Refuge Water 

Quality and Quantity

While neither the Refuge nor the Fish 

and Wildlife Service has any interest 

or authority to interfere with private 

lands management, they do have the 

responsibility to conserve the public 

resources placed in their care. The 

Refuge is at the bottom of a 60,000-

acre watershed. Land management 

practices within the watershed 

influence quality and quantity of 

water that flows into the Refuge. 

Unrestricted surface runoff in the 

watershed depletes top soil and soil 

moisture conditions. The deposition of 

top soil and agricultural chemicals in 

the Refuge marshes during flood 

stages has an adverse cumulative 

effect. There are existing cost share 

programs available to landowners 

aimed at improved soil and moisture 

conservation.

Issue 3. Snow Goose Management

The mid-continent population of Snow 

Geese and Ross' Geese are in trouble 

because there are too many – what 

some refer to as “a perilous 

abundance.” The peril is their 

numbers. The estimate of Snow and 

Ross' Geese in the central and eastern 

arctic increased from 1.1. million in 

1973 to 5.8 million in 1998. These 

geese now exceed the carrying 

capacity of habitats on several 

breeding colony sites in northern 

Canada. Overgrazing and grubbing by 

geese causes a removal of the 

vegetative mat that insulates 

underlying sediments. Exposure of 

sediments causes an increase in the 

rate of evaporation and greater 

concentration of inorganic salts from 

marine clays. Increased soil salinity 

eventually eliminates growth of the 

salt-marsh community and 

desertification ensues. Bare mudflats 

may become colonized by salt-tolerant 

plants, which are utilized by few, if 

any, wildlife species.

Recovery of damaged Arctic tundra 

vegetation is extremely slow and 

tends to continue toward self 

destruction once the moisture and 

chemical balance is upset. High Snow 

Geese survival rates over the last 20 

years and high quality wintering 

grounds has contributed to the over 

population. Action plans developed by 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Summary

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both the Canadian and U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service and State and 

Provincial agencies focus on reducing 

the Snow Goose population. 

Concentrations of 300,000 to 400,000 

Snow Geese at Squaw Creek NWR 

during the fall migration has become a 

sight-seeing tradition that attracts 

thousands of Refuge visitors. The 

Snow Geese are also welcomed by 

waterfowl hunters in an area from 

Sioux City, Iowa to Kansas City, 

Missouri. The large concentrations of 

geese on the Refuge provides 

significant hunting opportunity on 

adjacent public and private hunting 

areas. There is concern that opening 

the Refuge to more hunting would not 

only scare the geese out of the area, 

reducing overall hunting opportunity 

and the associated take of birds, but 

also restrict other public use such as 

the auto tour route and wildlife 

observation areas. Others felt some 

goose hunting on the Refuge would 

help address the mid-continent Snow 

Goose over-abundance.

Issue 4. Refuge Expansion

Floodplain wetlands similar to those 

within Squaw Creek NWR have been 

preserved and managed as private 

and commercial waterfowl hunting 

clubs. High operations costs have 

caused some owners to consider 

selling their property to the Refuge. 

Some of the Refuge marsh restoration 

and preservation problems associated 

with watershed management and 

runoff might be lessened if some of the 

adjacent agricultural land was added 

to the Refuge and converted to other 

uses. However, hydrological and 

biological data supporting this is 

incomplete or lacking.

Issue 5. Public Use

Public use at the Refuge has focused 

on nonconsumptive uses and wildlife 

dependent recreation, but some 

people have suggested that the 

Refuge's public use program should 

be changed to allow other compatible 

uses that might include hunting 

waterfowl and deer. Currently there 

is a special two-day muzzle loader 

deer hunt with a specific number of 

permits issued. Angling is allowed 

where the roads cross the creek 

ditches. Historically, environmental 

education has been emphasized at 

Squaw Creek NWR.

Issue 6. Public Service

The staff at Squaw Creek NWR want 

to be good neighbors and contributors 

to the welfare of the community. 

Public benefits now include 

environmental education programs 

for schools and special groups both on 

and off the Refuge, disaster assistance 

with staff and equipment, operations 

budgets that boost the local economy, 

annual payments to counties to offset 

losses of real property tax revenues, 

cost share programs for 

environmental improvements on 

private lands, and attraction of 

visitors who patronize local 

businesses. As the Refuge strives to 

be of service to the public and the 

community, are there new or better 

ways it can be successful in its efforts?

The Refuge 

Environment

Plant diversity on Squaw Creek NWR 

reflects the dominance of wetlands 

and prairie, including smooth sumac, 

coralberry, false indigo and swamp 

milkweed. There are also numerous 

grasses, including big and little 

bluestems and hairy grama. 

The Refuge also features “Wildflower 

Gardens at Squaw Creek,” plantings 

around the Visitor Center of native 

tallgrass-prairie and woodland 

wildflowers, grasses, and other plants. 

The Refuge has 1,378 acres of forests. 

Common trees include Eastern red 

cedar, Eastern cottonwood, black 

willow, and silver maple.
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

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The principle Refuge habitats include 

agricultural fields, bottomland forest, 

bottomland mesic prairie, loess hill 

forest, loess hill prairie, managed 

wetlands, old fields, wet prairie, 

wetland and developed land. (Figure 

2). 

Waterfowl are a year-round presence 

on the Refuge, sometimes in awesome 

numbers. Squaw Creek NWR is a 

mecca for large concentrations of 

migratory birds during the spring and 

fall because of the diversity and 

interspersion of habitats as well as the 

Refuge's location between two major 

migratory bird corridors, the Central 

Flyway and the Mississippi Flyway.

Shallow, backwater wetlands such as 

those provided by Squaw Creek NWR 

offer critical habitat for dabbling 

ducks, geese, herons, egrets, bitterns 

and rails. Mallard, Gadwall, American 

Widgeon, Green-winged Teal, Bluewinged Teal, Northern Pintail and 

American Coot are the dominant 

species seen on the Refuge during 

both spring and fall migration. In the 

spring, large numbers of Scaup and 

Ring-necked Ducks are common. 

Average peak populations of Lesser 

Snow Geese are 300,000 to 350,000.

During the fall migration, the Pectoral 

Sandpiper, Killdeer, Stilt Sandpiper, 

Lesser Yellowlegs and Least 

Sandpiper are among the shorebird 

species using the Refuge. In the 

spring, Greater Yellowlegs, Whiterumped Sandpiper and Semipalmated 

Sandpiper pass through. 

Marsh birds and other water birds, 

including grebes, pelicans, 

cormorants, bitterns, herons, egrets, 

ibis, and rails, are typically counted 

during the shore bird surveys.

Raptors using the Refuge include the 

Bald Eagle (in the Draft CCP, see 

Section 3.2.3.7, Threatened and 

Endangered Species) and a variety of 

hawks. In 2001, a local college 

professor counted 214 Broad-winged 

Hawks on a hawk count day.

Several bird species that are on the 

Missouri endangered species list are 

known to occur on the Refuge, 

including: Bald Eagle, American 

Bittern, Northern Harrier, Snowy 

Egret, Peregrine Falcon, Swainson's 

Warbler, Least Tern and Barn Owl.

Just a mile north of the Refuge, a 

Loess Hills bluff on the Missouri 

Department of Transportation rightof-way on Highway 159 provides 

outstanding Bank Swallow nesting 

habitat. The Missouri Department of 

Transportation (MoDOT) recently set 

aside the area for that purpose. The 

department built a pull-off parking 

area with barriers and installed a 

wood split rail fence. The Service 

prepared an information sign 

interpreting Bank Swallow history 

and habits. The Refuge installed “do 

not disturb” signs intended to prevent 

harassment of the swallows. 

Other birds commonly found on the 

Refuge include the Red-winged 

Blackbird, Common Grackle, Tree 

Swallow, Barn Swallow, Great-blue 

Heron, Yellow-bellied Cuckoo, Redheaded Woodpecker, Red-bellied 

Woodpecker, Common Yellowthroat, 

Northern Cardinal, House Wren, 

Song Sparrow, European Starling, 

Yellow Warbler and Grey Catbird. 

Mammals

Approximately 33 mammal species 

use the Refuge. Annual deer counts 

indicate that the Refuge has about 

three times as many deer as desired to 

maintain healthy browse and to avoid 

negative impacts to understory 

vegetation. Even though the Refuge 

has an annual muzzle loader antlerless deer hunt, which typically 

removes 100-140 deer from the area, 

the Refuge continues to harbor deer 

densities well above carrying capacity, 
Summary

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suggesting that the Refuge is 

probably a concentration area for 

deer. Future efforts to expand the 

refuge hunting program are planned 

in an attempt to reduce the local deer 

population. 

A number of carnivorous mammals 

are seen on the Refuge, including grey 

fox, red fox, coyote, mink, raccoons, 

striped skunk and spotted skunk, 

bobcat, longtail weasels, badgers and 

river otters. Other mammals on the 

Refuge include rabbits and several 

species of bats, rodents and shrews.

Amphibians and Reptiles

Two species of salamander, four toad 

species and five species of frogs are 

found on the Refuge. The Refuge has 

participated in deformed frog surveys 

and the number of deformed frogs 

found on Squaw Creek NWR is well 

within the bounds of what is 

considered to be normal deformity 

rates. The Refuge has also conducted 

annual frog and toad calling surveys. 

Five species of turtles, including the 

state listed endangered Blandings 

turtle, are found on the Refuge. 

Reptiles include two lizard species 

and 15 snakes, including the Eastern 

Massassauga rattlesnake, a species 

that is a candidate for federal listing 

as threatened or endangered and is a 

state-listed endangered species. 

Fish

Fish resources are limited. The lack of 

deep water and the fluctuation in 

water levels in the managed wetlands 

effectively limit the species found on 

the Refuge. Game species are not 

typically found on the Refuge. Fish 

such as carp, buffalo, gar, and a 

variety of others are present, and 

when water levels are sufficient and 

state law permits, snagging and 

fishing are permitted.

Invertebrates

Invertebrate diversity, while 

extensive, is little documented. The 

only insect on the Regional 

Conservation Priority list that falls 

within the Lower Missouri Ecosystem 

is the American burying beetle 

(Nicrophorus americanus). This 

species is not known to occur on the 

Refuge. It uses many types of habitat, 

with a slight preference for grasslands 

and open understory oak hickory 

forests. However, the beetles need 

carrion the size of a dove or a 

chipmunk to reproduce. Carrion 

availability may be the greatest factor 

determining where the species can 

survive. Its range includes Michigan 

and Ohio.

Plants

A full inventory and quantification of 

plant species has never been 

undertaken on the Refuge and 

presents opportunities for expanded 

work. The Refuge Biologist is 

currently inventorying plants and has 

created an herbarium for reference.

Threatened and Endangered 

Species

One federally-listed endangered bird 

and two threatened birds occur on the 

Refuge. Three state-listed threatened 

reptiles (Eastern massassauga 

rattlesnake, Western fox snake and 

Blandings turtle) are also found on the 

Refuge. The federally listed species 

include:

Frank Durbian
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

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Figure 2: Current Landcover, Squaw Creek NWR
Summary

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Figure 3: Desired Future Landcover, Squaw Creek NWR
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

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Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus 

leucocephalus): Bald Eagles have 

increased in abundance and 

distribution across the United States, 

including Missouri, and have been 

reclassified from endangered to 

threatened. They are commonly seen 

on the Refuge; in fact, 476 Bald Eagles 

were counted on December 27, 2001. 

Bald Eagles became endangered 

because of habitat loss, but especially 

because of DDT use following World 

War II. Today, the DDT threat is 

largely gone. Now the challenge is to 

prevent contamination and loss of 

sites that eagles depend on for 

nesting, feeding, migration, and 

wintering.

Piping Plover (Chadarius melodus)

(Great Plains Population): Piping 

Plovers are rarely seen on Squaw 

Creek NWR. Piping Plovers nest in 

coastal areas, but they are also prairie 

birds, nesting across the Great Plains 

of the United States and Canada, but 

in perilously low numbers. The Great 

Plains population is listed as 

threatened. The loss of prairie 

wetland areas contributes to their 

decline. Like many shorebirds, Piping 

Plovers feed on immature and adult 

insects and other invertebrates at the 

water's edge. They winter primarily 

along beaches, sandflats, and algal 

flats on the Gulf of Mexico.

Least Tern (Sterna antillarum)

(Interior Population): Listed as 

endangered, the Least Tern nests 

along large rivers of the Colorado, 

Red, Mississippi, and Missouri River 

systems. Least Terns are considered a 

rare bird on Squaw Creek NWR, 

however the species is a potential 

nester in the Missouri River area. It 

nests on sand and gravel bars and 

protected beach areas of large rivers 

and winters in coastal Central and 

South America. The species is 

endangered because human 

disturbance and alteration of river 

systems has rendered much of its 

nesting habitat unusable. Pesticides 

may reduce food available to the tern 

by reducing the numbers of small fish 

in their feeding areas.

Visitor Services

The visitor center/headquarters at the 

Refuge has approximately 875 square 

feet of exhibit space. It is open to 

visitors Monday through Friday all 

year- round and every day from midMarch to early May, and again from 

mid-October to early December. 

Exhibits include dioramas and 

mounted wildlife specimens. An 

addition to the visitor center in 2003 

includes an auditorium that seats 100 

people. Outside the visitor center 

there is an overlook with interpretive 

signs and an information kiosk.

A major visitor attraction is the 

arrival of thousands of Snow Geese on 

their fall and spring migration routes. 

A 10-mile auto tour route, a hiking 

trail, interpretive panels, and two 

observation platforms facilitate the 

viewing of the flocks.

There are two hiking trails near the 

visitor center. The Mike Callow 

Memorial Trail (0.25 mile) is accessible 

to visitors with disabilities. The Loess 

Bluff Trail (0.25 mile) climbs from the 

visitor center to the top of the loess 

bluffs, providing a panoramic view of 

the Refuge.

In fiscal year 2001, Squaw Creek 

NWR's visitation totaled 134,245 

visits with Visitor Contact Station 

Kim LeBlanc
Summary

15

visits totaling 41,683. A significant 

number of groups visit from local area 

Missouri school districts representing 

Holt County, St. Joseph City Schools, 

and Kansas City Metropolitan 

Schools. Out-of-state school districts 

from Kansas and Nebraska and two 

local college departments have also 

utilized Refuge resources. 

In fiscal year 2001, visitors 

participating in interpretation and 

nature observation totaled 177,742 onsite visits. A total of 290 talks, tours, 

and demonstrations were conducted 

that year. Interpretive foot trail uses 

totaled 13,650 visits and the auto tour 

had 134,245 visits. The visitor trail 

uses of the observation platform, 

Eagle Pool tower, and Callow 

Memorial Trail totaled 32,512 visits in 

2001. 

Management 

Alternatives

As part of the planning process, we 

evaluated different management 

options for the Refuge. This section 

describes those options.

 A more detailed comparison of 

alternatives by specific objectives and 

general strategies can be found in 

Appendix K of the Draft 

Comprehensive Conservation Plan. 

Archaeological and cultural values 

would be protected as mandated by 

law under all alternatives.

Alternative A: Current Management Practices (No Action)

Under this alternative there would be 

no major change in Refuge goals, 

objectives, and strategies. Some 

strategies would be revised to 

incorporate improved techniques, 

which have been learned from current 

management practices. The current 

goals and objectives call for 

maintenance and modest 

enhancement of wetland habitat, 

upland habitat, fish and wildlife 

populations, public use, resource 

conservation, facilities, work force and 

administration. This alternative does 

not fully address long-term needs and 

issues such as constant sedimentation 

in the wetland management units, the 

mid-continent Snow Goose population 

problem, and land acquisition that 

would allow increased preservation 

and restoration of the Missouri River 

floodplain habitat.

Alternative B: Restore Historic Wet 

and Mesic Prairie

Squaw Creek NWR presently 

contains the largest remaining wet 

prairie remnant in public ownership in 

Missouri. Wet prairie is an important 

habitat for several State-listed 

threatened and endangered species, 

including the Massassauga 

rattlesnake. This alternative would 

attempt to expand the present wet 

prairie, restore the wet prairie 

vegetation, and reintroduce fauna 

found prior to the mid-1840's in the 

Missouri River ecosystem. The 

restored area would be a showcase 

example of the historic conditions, 

particularly relevant on the 200th 

anniversary of the Lewis and Clark 

expedition, and would be of great 

interpretive value to visitors.

Some of the current management 

practices would be altered or 

eliminated. Prescribed burning 

Frank Durbian
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

16

frequencies and seasons would be 

changed to more accurately reflect 

natural burns. Active water level 

manipulations would be eliminated 

and the natural seasonal ebb and flow 

via watershed runoff would be 

encouraged. Farming and vegetative 

habitat management (mowing, haying, 

chemical spraying) would be 

eliminated to permit natural 

ecological successional changes to 

occur.

Alternative C: Enhance Public Use/

Current Resource Management 

Level 

Under this alternative, the six 

priority wildlife-dependent uses 

highlighted in the Refuge 

Improvement Act would be promoted 

and enhanced. These uses include: 

hunting, fishing, environmental 

education and interpretation, wildlife 

observation, and wildlife photography. 

Environmental education efforts and 

outreach would be stepped up 

considerably. Additional facilities 

would be developed on the Refuge to 

accommodate increased public use.

Alternative D: Optimize Resource 

Management With Enhanced Public Use (Preferred Alternative)

This alternative seeks to maximize 

wildlife habitat and population 

management practices and 

opportunities without adversely 

impacting current levels of wildlifedependent recreational opportunities. 

Compared to Alternative A, a greater 

effort would be made toward 

conserving, managing, and restoring 

habitats native to the Lower Missouri 

River ecosystem, both on Refuge 

lands and FSA easements within the 

management district and watershed. 

Management would include additional 

wetland, riparian, and native grass 

development and enhancement. 

Increased biological monitoring would 

evaluate wildlife responses to 

management efforts and track 

population trends of species of 

concern, including Massassauga 

rattlesnakes and grassland birds. We 

would seek to quantify the need and 

benefit of various approaches to 

reducing sedimentation and 

improving water quality. Additional 

efforts would be made to 

accommodate all migratory bird 

species, such as fall migrating 

shorebirds. Snow Goose populations 

would be actively managed, which for 

the immediate future means 

participating in the mid-continent 

efforts of population reduction.

All wildlife-dependent recreational 

opportunities would continue as in 

Alternative A, but with a slight 

additional effort exerted to increase 

visitation or additional public use 

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Summary

17

activities and an improvement in the 

quality of services and facilities.

Alternative E: Intensive Wetland 

Management With Extreme Measures to Combat Sedimentation

This alternative would selectively 

emphasize the creation and 

maintenance of the widest possible 

variety of wetland habitats (e.g. 

lacustrine, palustrine, moist soil, 

green tree, riverine, bottomland 

hardwoods, wet meadows, exposed 

flats, and others) with the intention of 

attracting highly diverse populations 

of aquatic wildlife. Targeted wildlife 

species would include waterfowl (e.g., 

ducks and geese), shorebirds and 

wading birds, aquatic animals and 

plants that are of high interest to the 

public (e.g., otters), and species that 

require additional conservation (e.g., 

rare, threatened or endangered 

species of aquatic plants and animals).

The Refuge would be maintained as a 

showcase of Lower Missouri River 

Ecosystem wetland habitats and 

aquatic wildlife diversity. The value of 

this alternative would include 

conservation/preservation, public 

education, and scientific research. 

Outreach and education activities 

would focus on helping people 

understand the importance of 

wetlands. The alternative would 

include demonstration areas to teach 

the public how to create and maintain 

wetlands.

Under this alternative, visitor 

numbers and programs would be 

restricted to minimize conflicts with 

the wetlands management and aquatic 

biodiversity conservation goals.

Under this alternative, extreme 

measures may be necessary to 

maintain various habitat types. These 

measures might include dredging and 

constructing dikes and water control 

structures.

Proposed 

Management 

Direction

Managing a national wildlife refuge 

demands that we chart a long-term 

course that will ensure the health and 

persistence of wildlife and habitat 

species. There may be too many 

variables to plot a course into the 

future that is as precise as a road map, 

but we can at least note a few 

landmarks to steer by. Through this 

comprehensive conservation plan, 

which has been developed with the 

participation of the State of Missouri 

and other partners, and with 

participation by neighbors and other 

interested people, we have defined 

goals that will guide Squaw Creek 

NWR for the next 15 years. 

The management direction proposed 

in the Draft CCP and summarized 

here reflects the preferred 

alternative, Alternative D (Optimize 

Resource Management With 

Enhanced Public Use). 

Section 4.2 of the Draft CCP details 

goals for the Refuge, the objectives 

we have identified for achieving those 

goals, and the strategies by which we 

mean to achieve our objectives. In this 

summary, we provide a brief overview 

of our plans for Squaw Creek NWR.

Habitat

In considering the Refuge’s future, we 

are mindful that the Refuge was 

established to provide a resting, 

breeding and feeding ground for 

migratory birds and other wildlife. We 

intend to accomplish this by providing 

a diversity of habitats, with particular 

emphasis on wetlands (Figure 3, page 

13). We will maintain uplands that 

create diverse habitats. We will 

manage forest land to benefit 

migratory songbirds and to benefit 

threatened and endangered species, 

other migratory birds, and indigenous 

species. We will work with farm 
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

18

program cooperators to convert 

cropland to grassland or woodlands. 

By continuing our work with private 

landowners using existing programs, 

we will contribute to reducing erosion 

and sedimentation and improving the 

quality of surface runoff waters.

Fish and Wildlife

We will learn more about annual peak 

populations of wildlife using the 

Refuge so that we better understand 

species’ needs and the Refuge’s ability 

to meet those needs. We will maintain 

waterfowl use day levels at a 

minimum of 5 million, however we will 

assist in international efforts to 

reduce the mid-continent population 

of Lesser Snow Geese. This will 

include reducing cropland on the 

Refuge as well as offering a spring 

Snow Goose hunt. We will better 

manage deer populations to improve 

the quality of Refuge habitat. We will 

seek Refuge designation as a Western 

Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve 

Network, which would contribute to 

funding initiatives and gain 

international recognition of the 

Refuge and its work to conserve 

indigenous species. We will maintain 

bottomland cottonwood forest areas in 

an effort to support Bald Eagles 

during fall and winter migration 

periods. We will maintain habitat that 

is critical to the Eastern Massassauga 

rattlesnake and Least Bittern.

Wildlife-dependent Recreation, 

Environmental Education and 

Interpretation

Our programs will inspire people to 

care about Squaw Creek NWR, 

natural resources, and the 

environment. Toward that end, we 

will focus on improving the quality of 

the visit. To accomplish this, we will 

design and implement interactive 

programs that meet Service 

standards and bring existing facilities 

up to Service standards. We will 

improve our orientation maps and 

signage. We appreciate traditional 

Refuge visitors and want them to 

continue coming to Squaw Creek 

NWR, and we will reach out to 

diverse groups of people who are not 

traditional Refuge visitors.

Volunteers play a critical role at the 

Refuge, and we want to strengthen 

our relationships with volunteers (and 

through them, the community) by 

drawing more people to contribute 

their time and talent to the Refuge. 

We will work to strengthen our 

relationship with Friends of Squaw 

Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

Plan 

Implementation

Personnel

Currently the staff of Squaw Creek 

NWR consists of seven positions: 

refuge manager, refuge operations 

specialist, administrative technician, 

wildlife biologist, a park ranger, a 

maintenance mechanic, and tractor 

operator.

As the Refuge activities have 

expanded over recent years and 

Refuge visitation has increased, it has 

become difficult to efficiently run the 

Refuge to meet the demands of the 

resources as well as the public. To 

meet all of these needs, our plan is to 

fill the currently approved but vacant 

0.5 full-time-equivalent (FTE) 

maintenance position and add a 0.5 

FTE seasonal clerical position 

(permanent seasonal or intermittent), 

add a full-time law enforcement 

officer, and add a full-time fire 

technician. The Refuge would 

Frank Durbian
Summary

19

continue to seek the assistance of 

interns to work in the headquarters 

greeting visitors.

New and Existing Projects

The Draft CCP outlines an ambitious 

course of action for the future 

management of Squaw Creek NWR. 

It will require staff and funding 

commitments to actively manage the 

wildlife habitats and improve public 

use facilities. The Refuge will 

continually need appropriate 

operational and maintenance funding 

to implement the objectives in this 

plan.

The following list describes the 

highest priority Refuge projects, as 

chosen by the Refuge staff. A full 

listing of unfunded Refuge projects 

and operational needs can be found in 

Appendix F of the Draft CCP.

■ Improve moist-soil/wetland vegetation (seasonal tractor operator)

■ Improve visitor services/outreach environmental education

■ Restore Loess Bluff/upland grasslands

■ Improve visitor services - interpretation and auto-tour route

■ Expand outdoor classroom facilities

■ Revise Refuge leaflets

■ Provide access east of Davis 

Creek

■ Law enforcement equipment

■ Improve visitor services operating and maintenance

Partnership Opportunities

Partnerships have become an 

essential element for the successful 

accomplishment of Squaw Creek 

NWR goals, objectives and strategies. 

The objectives outlined in the CCP 

need the support and the partnerships 

of federal, state and local agencies, 

non-governmental organizations and 

individual citizens. Squaw Creek 

NWR will continue to seek creative 

partnership opportunities to achieve 

its vision for the future. Partnerships 

will focus in particular on volunteers, 

Friends of Squaw Creek NWR, 

governmental and non-governmental 

organizations, and researchers 

working on the Refuge.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The direction set forth in this CCP 

plus specifically identified strategies 

and projects will be monitored 

throughout the life of this plan. 

Periodically, the Regional Office will 

assemble a station review team to 

visit Squaw Creek National Wildlife 

Refuge and evaluate current Refuge 

activities in light of this plan. The 

team will review all aspects of Refuge 

management, including direction, 

accomplishments and funding. The 

goals and objectives presented in this 

CCP will provide the baseline from 

which this field station will be 

evaluated.

Frank Durbian
Squaw Creek NWR Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan

20

Where You 

Can Find the 

CCP

You can see the complete Draft CCP 

in a number of places. If you have 

access to the Internet, you can find a 

link to the draft Plan at this web 

address: http://midwest.fws.gov/

planning/squawcreek/index.html 

Paper copies and compact disks of the 

draft Plan are also available in a 

limited supply. Please call 

Conservation Planning toll free at 1-

800-247-1247 to request a paper copy 

or a compact disk. Copies of the draft 

CCP are also available for viewing at 

local libraries including: 

■ Mound City Public Library

■ Maryville Public Library

■ Oregon Public Library

■ Rolling Hills Consolidated 

Library, Savannah

■ Rolling Hills Consolidated 

Library, St. Joseph

St. Joseph Public Libraries, including:

■ Downtown Library

■ Carnegie Library

■ Washington Park Library

■ East Hills Library

Tell Us What 

You Think

We invite you to review the Plan and 

tell us what you think. Your comments 

on the draft Plan will help us write a 

final plan that is both visionary and 

practical.

You are also invited to meet with 

Service staff to discuss the draft CCP. 

An open house is scheduled on August 

4, 2004, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the 

Refuge Headquarters, which is 

located at Highway 159 South near 

Mound City.

Written comments are welcome, and 

comments can also be sent through 

the Service’s website for the Squaw 

Creek NWR planning project at the 

address above. In order for us to 

consider your comments when writing 

the final plan we need to receive them 

by August 27, 2004. However, 

comments received after that date are 

welcome and will be considered in 

future management decisions.

Address correspondence to Ron Bell, 

Refuge Manager, at:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Squaw Creek NWR

Attn: CCP Comment

PO Box 158 

Mound City, MO 64470

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service