Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge

is one of over 500 refuges in the

National Wildlife Refuge System

administered by the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service. The mission of the

National Wildlife Refuge System is

“to administer a national network of

lands for the conservation,

management, and where appropriate,

the restoration of fish, wildlife, and

plant resources and their habitats

within the United States for the

benefit of present and future

generations of Americans.

Unmatched anywhere in the world,

the National Wildlife Refuge System

in an extensive network of lands and

waters protected and managed

especially for wildlife and its habitat

for people to enjoy. This unique

system encompasses over 92 million

acres of lands and waters from north

of the Arctic

Circle in Alaska

to the subtropical

waters of the

Florida Keys and

beyond to the

Caribbean and

South Pacific. The lands managed as

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge

are a part of this system.

Located approximately 20 miles

northwest of Memphis, Tennessee,

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge

was established in January, 1961 as a

sanctuary for migratory waterfowl.

The refuge is literally an island in a

sea of agriculture. Lying only four

miles west of the Mississippi River,

the 5,485 acre Wapanocca National

Wildlife Refuge is an important

stopover for waterfowl traveling the

Mississippi Flyway and for songbirds

as they migrate to and from Central

and South America.

The National

Wildlife Refuge

System

Introduction

USFWS

This blue goose,

designed by J.N.

“Ding” Darling,

has become the

symbol of the

National Wildlife

Refuge System.

USFWS
At the turn of the century, large

flocks of migrating ducks found vast

flooded pin oak flats in the Arkansas

Delta. Later, this excellent waterfowl

habitat was drained, the timber

harvested, and the land planted

to corn. Still, large flocks of ducks

and geese continued to come here,

feeding on leftover corn. When corn

was replaced by cotton and then

other crops, the number of ducks and

geese wintering here dwindled.

In the late 1800’s Wapanocca Lake

and the surrounding lands were

purchased by a group of Memphis

business, forming the Wapanocca

Hunting Club. This area was among

the first lands bought in 1961 as the

beginning of what today is Wapanocca

National Wildlife Refuge, and one

of the last areas in the Arkansas

Delta where large concentrations of

waterfowl find a winter home and

can be enjoyed by all.

The three different types of habitat

found at Wapanocca National Wildlife

Refuge provide a diverse place to

live for a variety of wildlife. These

habitats: freshwater impoundment,

bottomland hardwood forest, and

croplands are divided almost equally

throughout the refuge. This varied

habitat not only provides for wildlife

but also is home to some rare plants.

The largest colony of water spider

orchids in the state of Arkansas can

be found on the refuge. Only three

colonies of this rare plant are known

to exist in the state.

Within the largest freshwater

impoundment lies the 600 acre

Wapanocca Lake, surrounded by

a cypress-willow swamp. The

bottomland hardwood forest that

fans out from the lake is seasonally

flooded, providing excellent

wintering waterfowl habitat.

There are also 30 other smaller

impoundments or moist soil units

located throughout the refuge,

primarily interspersed throughout

the croplands. These areas are

planted with corn, millet, wheat, and

other high-energy foods that ducks

and geese like to eat. These small

areas are flooded in the winter,

making it easy for waterfowl to feed.

This combination of woodlands,

croplands, swamps, and lakes creates

an attractive place to live for both

wildlife that lives at Wapanocca

National Wildlife Refuge year round

and for that wildlife that just stays

for a short visit.

A Look

to the Past

A Place to Live

USFWS

© Kelly Davis

USFWS

USFWS
Woody Pond

Wapanocca Lake

County

Road

County

Road

County

Road

55

77

42

Exit 21

To Blytheville

Turrell

To

Memphis

Clarkedale

croplands

forest/swamp

water

reforestation

headquarters

boat ramp

observation

fishing pier

highway

paved road

unpaved road

nature drive

levee

closed to public 

Dec. 1-Feb. 28

Wapanocca

National Wildlife Refuge

N

0 Miles 1

0 Kilo 1
There is quite a variety of wildlife

calling Wapanocca National Wildlife

Refuge home. Since the refuge was

originally founded for waterfowl—

those constitute most of the animal

life found here. Mallards make up

almost 75 percent of the ducks using

the refuge. Other waterfowl that

spend their winters here include:

blue- and green-winged teal, gadwall,

widgeon, and northern shovelers;

along with white-fronted, snow, and

Canada geese. Wood ducks are found

on the refuge throughout the year,

using the area for nesting and

rearing their young.

The refuge is also a haven for a

variety of other wildlife for either all

or part of the year. The spring and

fall bring migratory songbirds on

their long journey to and from

Central and South America. The

forests is also filled with mammals

both large and small—from squirrels

and rabbits to white-tailed deer.

Refuge waters teem with wildlife—

turtles can often be seen sunning

themselves on logs in the canals and

fish such as crappie and largemouth

bass fill the lake and canals.

Who Lives

Here?

© Kelly Davis

USFWS

D. Elmendorf
Visitors are welcome during daylight

hours to Wapanocca National

Wildlife Refuge throughout the year.

The refuge headquarters/visitor

center is located off of Interstate 55,

northwest of Memphis, Tennessee.

Take the Turrell, Arkansas exit and

go east on State Highway 42 and

follow the signs.

A variety of wildlife-dependant

outdoor recreation activities are

available:

The refuge is open for small game

hunting. Contact the refuge for

additional information.

The refuge is open for fishing from

March 15 through October 31 during

daylight hours. Please consult the

refuge fishing brochure for more

information.

A boat ramp is located on the west

side of Wapanocca Lake off of State

Highway 77.

The auto tour route offers excellent

wildlife observation, photography

and hiking opportunities. An

observation platform is located on

the east side of Wapanocca Lake.

Environmental Education is an

important program on the refuge.

Groups are welcome and

arrangements may be made by

contacting the refuge headquarters

in advance.

The refuge visitor center offers

exhibits and displays on the history

and natural resources of Wapanocca

National Wildlife Refuge.

Fires are prohibited.

Firearms are permitted only during

refuge hunts.

Surface collecting or digging for

archeological, historical or Native

American artifacts is prohibited.

Picking plants and removing animals

is not permitted.

Camping and overnight parking are

not permitted.

Pets on a leash are permitted.

The refuge is accessible by car, boat

and foot, but is somewhat limited.

The only road access begins at the

refuge headquarters/visitor center

and winds its way through much of

the refuge. Boat access is limited to

one boat ramp located off of Highway

77. Due to the area being primarily

bottomland hardwood forest and

water, foot travel in limited to the

road and a few levees.

All-terrain vehicles and horses are

prohibited.

Equal opportunity to participate in, and

benefit from programs and activities of the

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is available to

all individuals regardless of physical or mental

disability. For information please contact the

U.S. Department of the Interior, Office for

Equal Opportunity, 1849 C Street, NW,

Washington, D.C. 20240.

Riley

Enjoy Your Visit

Hunting

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife

Observation/

Photography

Environmental

Education

Interpretation

Fires

Firearms

Collecting

Camping

Pets

Access

USFWS

ATVs and

Horses

USFWS
USFWS

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge

P.O. Box 279

Turrell, AR 72384

Phone: 870/343 2595

Fax: 870/343 2416

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

1 800/344 WILD

http://www.fws.gov

December 2000