U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome: Desert Oasis javelina, and deer, as well as predatory a missionary to Native Americans. He With its majestic rock cliffs; its ribbon coyotes, bobcats, and the less common eventually gave up the life of a missionary of cool water running through classic cougars. and spent the rest of his life traveling the Sonoran Desert; and its cattail-filled west as a trapper. The year and cause of marsh harboring rails and waterfowl, Bill Rattlesnakes are highly mobile at dawn and his death remains a mystery, but legend Williams River National Wildlife Refuge dusk and may be active during any month. has it he is buried in an unmarked grave offers a little bit of everything for both In daytime heat they recede to cooler spots, somewhere on Bill Williams Mountain wildlife and people. such as rodent burrows or crevices. near Williams, Arizona.

Rare Habitat Native Fish Get a Finhold IE Things to do at the Refuge A century ago, cottonwood forest was Just below refuge headquarters lies a cove Wildlife watching, boating, fishing, and widespread along the Colorado River. In where razorback suckers and bonytail hunting are popular activities on the their journals, western explorers such as chubs are raised. The two species are refuge. Stop by headquarters (open General John C. Fremont noted miles- among 31 native Arizona fish, 28 of which Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 thick stands of cottonwood and willow are either endangered, threatened, or p.m.) for the latest wildlife sightings and along the banks. They also mentioned the candidates for listing. hunting and fishing regulations. presence of abundant mesquite on the higher reaches. At Bill Williams River NWR, biologists I Wildlife Watching I from the Fish and Wildlife Service’s There are no developed trails at Bill In 1935, the 726-foot Hoover Dam was Arizona Fishery Resources Office Williams River NWR, but the riparian built on the Arizona-Nevada border, receive young razorback suckers and area can be seen from the gravel road that followed by twenty smaller dams over the bonytail chubs from Dexter National begins less than a mile northeast of refuge following decades. As the water backed up Fish Hatchery, a New Mexico facility that head-quarters and ends approximately into a series of lakes, many of the riparian produces endangered fish. The fish are 3 miles east of highway 95. There are forests along the Colorado River were introduced into the cove, where they’ll several pull-outs off highway 95 that offer drowned. The construction of Alamo Dam grow to around 10 inches—a size that good views of the delta area, including on the Bill Williams River in 1968 changed offers them a chance against predators. a cattail marsh. Visitors are welcome to the old flood cycle, which reduced stands At that point they’re released into Lake explore the rest of the refuge on foot. of native cottonwood and willow trees. Havasu and other areas, where they’ll be monitored to determine their survival. In The Bill Williams River flows gently, at Fortunately, Bill Williams River NWR the future, these fish will also be released the average rate of 5 to 10 cubic feet holds one of the last stands of natural into stretches of free-flowing river. per second, except during sporadic dam cottonwood-willow forest along the releases or monsoon flash floods. Its depth lower Colorado River, creating a unique Working for Wildlife is perfect for wading ankle-deep in the ecosystem that provides good habitat for Refuge staff use various management sandy bottom along a canopied passage resident and migratory wildlife. techniques to protect and restore the that cuts a path through dense riparian native plants and animals at Bill Williams growth. In some pools you might spot Wildlife: Lush Living in the Desert River NWR. Cottonwood and willow trees native fish species, such as longfin dace. The rare riparian habitat of Bill Williams are planted and maintained, salt cedar River NWR draws a variety of neotropical is controlled, and native fish are being The refuge encompasses a small portion migratory birds—winging their way reintroduced. The refuge is also working of Lake Havasu flanked by a shallow, from Central and South America to their with the Army Corps of Engineers, the cattail-lined marsh. (Be careful navigating breeding grounds in the north. Over 340 agency in charge of water releases from here; boats can get stuck on sandbars.) species of birds have been documented on Alamo Dam, to return water flows in the Many species of birds, such as pied-billed the Refuge. Bright colors from birds like Bill Williams River to a more natural state. and eared grebes, nest in a few sheltered the yellow warbler, vermillion flycatcher, inlets along this stretch. Canada geese and summer tanager flash like sparks in the History: Mystic to Mythic Past and common and Barrow’s goldeneye are desert sky as they flit across the riverbed. The lower Colorado River region is within present in winter. the ancestral boundaries of the Mojave About a dozen endangered Yuma clapper and Chemehuevi, tribes whose legacies Bald eagles winter in the area and may rails spend the summer months in the date back many thousands of years. be spotted hunting for fish in the river. cattails of the marsh and may overwinter. Descendants of these tribes still use willow The red-breasted merganser is another More likely heard than seen, their dry kek- stems from the refuge for traditional species that uses the marsh area, along kek-kek echoes at dusk and dawn. Another Native American basket weaving. with yellow-breasted chat, common endangered bird, the south-western willow yellowthroat, and red-winged blackbird. flycatcher, nests on the refuge in the The river that flows through the refuge willow trees lining the river. gets its name from Bill Williams, a The “no wake” zone on the Bill Williams mountain man who traveled through much River delta can be a peaceful place, Crisscrossing tracks in the sand chronicle of Arizona in the early 1800’s. Williams particularly if you go by canoe or pull your the nighttime excursions of cottontails, came west from St. Louis, serving as motor and paddle once you’ve reached the marsh. Jagged desert mountains tower DD Boating DD visit nearby Bureau of Land Management above, wrapped by a searing blue sky; Boats can be launched from a mile below wilderness areas or State Parks for golden cattails wave in the breeze and the refuge office on Parker Dam Road, excellent camping opportunities. harbor great blue herons, egrets, and rails. at Take Off Point. Canoes, kayaks, and hand-carried boats may be launched at Fires The Bill Williams Road takes you along the Refuge headquarters during daylights To protect scarce desert wood, fires are the river, through desert uplands, and past hours. not permitted on Bill Williams River a valley lined with cottonwoods, willows, NWR. and salt cedar. Along the way you can HH Hunting HH stop and explore the desert and cliff-base Hunting is permitted on Bill Williams Ld Pets d habitat, where phainopepla and cactus River NWR for mourning and white- Pets must be leashed and under control at wren are common. Walk out on cactus- winged dove, Gambel’s quail, and all times. flecked rises and look north to scan the cottontail rabbit on designated areas. cottonwood crowns at eye level. Here you Desert bighorn sheep hunting is also VV Litter VV might spot a summer tanager, Bullock’s allowed on designated areas of the refuge, Please leave only your footprints; take all oriole, or any of several warbler migrants. but you will need a special state permit. litter with you. Look, also, for the elusive yellow-billed cuckoo that often perches amid the tree’s Persons possessing, transporting, or Collecting thick central branches. carrying firearms on National Wildlife Keep wild things wild—all plants, Refuges must comply with all provisions animals, minerals, and historic objects You can hike the full 6-mile length of the of state and local law. Persons may only are protected. Disturbance or collection is refuge’s river canyon, which lies beyond use (discharge) firearms in accordance prohibited except by special permit. the parking area located 3 miles from with refuge regulations (509 CFR 27.42 highway 95. Before heading out, however, and specific refuge regulations in 50 CFR Vehicles check with the refuge headquarters about Part 32). You may possess only non-toxic All vehicles must remain on designated the possibility of releases from Alamo shot while hunting. Target practice and roads. Maximum speed limit is 25 mph, Dam. Heavy rains can overfill Alamo Lake, “plinking” are not permitted. unless otherwise posted. All vehicles and and water is then released into the Bill operators must be licensed and insured for Williams, causing the river to rise quickly. LL Fishing LL highway travel, for example: OHV’s and The Bill Williams River NWR offers ATC’s must be ‘street legal’ licensed. EH Boating EH three accessible fishing structures on the If you visit Bill Williams River NWR by peninsula adjacent to our visitor center. Volunteer Opportunities boat, you’ll do the birds a big favor if you Fishing for striped and largemouth bass, Interested in volunteering for Bill Williams observe the no wake speed rule and cruise catfish, bluegill, and others, is allowed on River NWR? There are many volunteer slowly in the middle of the river. This is the refuge (all Arizona fishing regulations opportunities at the refuge, including to protect the fragile riparian habitat and apply). Please use catch-and-release maintenance work (carpentry, plumbing, because many backwater areas provide techniques with any native fish caught, and welding, etc.); photographers (landscape or nesting and hiding places for birds, report catches to refuge staff. nature and wildlife); clerical (filing, typing, especially in spring and summer. Personal answer phone); artists (crafters, painters, watercraft (PWC) such as Jet SkiTM, Help Us Protect the Refuge carvers); and someone with a flair for WaverunnerTM, Sea DooTM, etc. are not Camping creative writing or design to help design permitted on refuge waters. Camping is not allowed on the refuge, but displays for the visitor center, as well as, those with interests in biological research. To Lake Havasu City

Bill Williams River NWR Bill Williams River NWR Mohave Co. Public Hunting Area HQ and Fishing Pier Area Unimproved Dirt Road Heron Island (BLM Land) Two gravel trailer pads (with water, To Lake Havasu City Hiking Trail 95 electricity, and sewer) are available for Lake 95 volunteers; arrangements must be made BW Bridge B at least 2 months in advance. Please Buoy Line Havasu BW River contact refuge headquarters for more Lake BW Bridge information. Heron Island BW River Havasu B

Heron Island Buoy Line N Road How To Get There R S R N R S R q To get to Bill Williams River NWR from Bill WilliamsLa Paz Co. R R q La Paz Co. Lake Havasu City, Arizona, follow Arizona To Parker Mohave Co. To Parker Office River Highway 95 south approximately 23 Open Monday-Friday 0 .5 1 2 KILOMETERS miles. Headquarters are located between 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Road mileposts 160 and 161. p Kohen Ranch Esquera Ranch Text Credit Bill Williams River NWR Text for this brochure was adapted from Public Hunting Area Bill Unimproved Dirt Road Western Wildlife Refuges: Thirty-Six Heron Island (BLM Lands) River Ecological Havens from California to p Williams Texas by Dennis Wall (Museum of New

Colorado Kingman 40 Mineral Wash Rd. - To Shea Rd. Mexico Press). Flagstaff 93 40 To Parker Approx. 25 Miles River Lake Havasu City After hours and weekends, please report 17 95 accidents or violations to the USFWS/ Bill Williams Parker River NWR BLM/NPS Interagency Dispatch Center 60 95 0 .5 1 2 3 4 5 KILOMETERS at 623/580-5515. Blythe 10 Phoenix 0 40 80 Miles March 2012