Havasu National Wildlife Refuge
Havasu National Wildlife Refuge is a U.S. National Wildlife Refuge on the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California. It preserves habitat for desert bighorn sheep to the endangered southwestern willow flycatcher, birds and other animals. The refuge protects 30 river miles - of shoreline - from Needles, California, to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. One of the last remaining natural stretches of the lower Colorado River flows through the Topock Gorge. Species. Animal species that inhabit this refuge include peregrine falcon, coyote, fox, desert bighorn sheep, greater roadrunner, bobcat, and cougar. Thousands of bats emerge from historic mines  and razorback suckers swim in the back of Beal Lake. Support. A large river in a dry, hot land attracts wildlife and people like a powerful magnet. Many thousands of visitors annually flock to the refuge to boat through the Topock Gorge, watch waterbirds in Topock Marsh, or hike to the Havasu Wilderness Area. A non-profit membership organization supports and advocates for the refuge. It assists refuge staff with several of the refuge annual events, help to obtain grants to support refuge projects, conducts fund-raising activities to support environmental education programs, and helps the United States Fish and  Wildlife Service operate and maintain the refuge facilities and programs by providing volunteer labor. Five Mile Landing. To aid visitors to the Colorado River, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed a private contractor to operate a boat, canoe, campsite, RV site, and a store in the refuge at Five-Mile Landing, a site with boat ramps at Topock Marsh in the northern part of the refuge. Topock Marsh. The Topock Marsh is one of the larger birding sites found in the Lower Colorado River Valley, between Hoover Dam and the Colorado River Delta. Catfish Paradise. Catfish Paradise is  an area located at the southern end of the Topock Marsh. Many species living in the area include Bullfrogs, Carp, Sunfish, Catfish (Channel), Crappie, Largemouth Bass, and Tilapia.