U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge Welcome: With its majestic rock cliffs; its The 6,105-acre Desert Oasis ribbon of cool water running through classic Sonoran Desert; and its Bill Williams River cattail-filled marsh harboring rails and waterfowl, Bill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge offers a National Wildlife little bit of everything for both Refuge is one of more wildlife and people. than 500 refuges throughout the United States managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the only national Hill Williams River National Wildlife Refuge. system of lands Photogi~aph by John and Karen Hollingsworth Rare Habitat A century ago, cotton wood forest dedicated to conserving was widespread along the Colorado River. In their journals, western explorers such as General John C. our wildlife heritage Fremont noted miles-thick stands of cottonwood and willow along for people today and the banks. They also mentioned the presence of abundant mesquite for generations yet on the higher reaches. In 1935, the 726-foot Hoover Dam to come. was built on the Arizona-Nevada border, followed by twenty smaller dams over the following decades. As the water backed up into a series of lakes, many of the riparian forests along the Colorado River were drowned. The construction of Alamo Dam on the Bill Williams River in 1968 changed the old flood cycle, which reduced stands of native cottonwood and willow trees. Cholla. Photograph by John and Karen Hollingsworth Refuge scene. Photograph by John and Karen Hollingsworth Fortunately, Bill Williams River Rattlesnakes are highly mobile at N WR holds one of the last stands dawn and dusk and may be active of natural cottonwood-willow forest during any month. In daytime heat along the lower Colorado River, they recede to cooler spots, such creating a unique ecosystem that as rodent burrows or crevices. provides good habitat for resident and migratory wildlife. Native Fish Just below refuge headquarters lies Get a Finhold a cove where razorback suckers and Wildlife: Lush The rare riparian habitat of Bill bonytail chubs are raised. The two Living in the Williams River NWR draws a species are among 31 native Arizona Desert variety of neotropical migratory fish, 28 of which are either endanger­ birds—winging their way from ed, threatened, or candidates Central and South America to for listing. their breeding grounds in the north. Bright colors from birds like the At Bill Williams River NWR, bio­ yellow warbler, vermillion flycatcher, logists from the Fish and Wildlife and summer tanager flash like Service's Arizona Fishery Resources sparks in the desert sky as they Office receive young razorback flit across the riverbed. suckers and bonytail chubs from Dexter National Fish Hatchery, a About a dozen endangered Yuma New Mexico facility that produces clapper rails spend the summer endangered fish. The fish are months in the cattails of the marsh introduced into the cove, where and may overwinter. More likely they'll grow to around 10 inches— heard than seen, their dry kek-kek- a size that offers them a chance kek echoes at dusk and dawn. against predators. At that point Another endangered bird, the they're released into Lake Havasu southwestern willow flycatcher, and other areas, where they'll be nests on the refuge in the willow monitored to determine their trees lining the river. survival. In the future, these fish will also be released into stretches Crisscrossing tracks in the sand of free-flowing river. chronicle the nighttime excursions of cottontails, javelina, and deer, as well as predatory coyotes, bobcats, and the less common cougars. The year and cause of his death remains a mystery, but legend has it he is buried in an unmarked grave somewhere on Bill Williams Mountain near Williams, Arizona. Things to do at Wildlife watching, boating, fishing, the Refuge and hunting are popular activities on the refuge. Stop by headquarters (open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm) for the latest wildlife sightings and hunting and fishing regulations. Wildlife There are no developed trails at Refuge view. Photogi-aph by John and Karen Hollingsworth Watching Bill Williams River NWR, but the riparian area can be seen from the Working for Refuge staff use various gravel road that begins less than a Wildlife management techniques to protect mile northeast of refuge head­ and restore the native plants and quarters and ends approximately animals at Bill Williams River NWR. 3 miles east of highway 95. There Cottonwood and willow trees are are several pull-outs off highway 95 planted and maintained, salt cedar is that offer good views of the delta controlled, and native fish are being area, including a cattail marsh. reintroduced. The refuge is also Visitors are welcome to explore working with the Army Corps of the rest of the refuge on foot. Engineers, the agency in charge of water releases from Alamo Dam, The Bill Williams River flows gently, to return water flows in the Bill at the average rate of 50 cubic feet Williams River to a more natural per second, except during sporadic state. dam releases. Its depth is perfect for wading ankle-deep in the sandy History: Mystic The lower Colorado River region is bottom along a canopied passage to Mythic Past within the ancestral boundaries of Greater that cuts a path through dense Roadrunner. riparian growth. In some the Mojave and Chemehuevi, Photograph by tribes whose legacies date back pools you might spot native fish John and Karen species, such as longfin dace. many thousands of years. Descend­ Hollingsworth ants of these tribes still use willow stems from the refuge for traditional Native American basket weaving. The river that flows through the refuge gets its name from Bill Williams, a mountain man who traveled through much of Arizona in the early 1800s. Williams came west from St. Louis, serving as a missionary to Native Americans. He eventually gave up the life of a missionary and spent the rest of his life traveling the west as a trapper. The refuge encompasses a small You can hike the full (i-mile length of portion of Lake Havasu flanked the refuge's river canyon, which lies by a shallow, cattail-lined marsh. beyond the parking area located (Be careful navigating here; boats 3 miles from highway 95. Before can get stuck on sandbars.) A small heading out, however, check with number of birds, such as pied-billed the refuge headquarters about the and eared grebes, nest in a few possibility of releases from Alamo sheltered inlets along this stretch. Dam. Heavy rains can overfill Alamo Canada geese and common and Lake, and water is then released into Barrow's goldeneye are present the Bill Williams, causing the river to in winter. rise quickly. Bald eagles winter in the area and Boating If you visit Bill Williams River may be spotted hunting for fish NWR by boat, you'll do the birds a in the river. The red-breasted big favor if you observe the no wake merganser is another species that speed rule and cruise slowly in the uses the marsh area, along with middle of the river. This is to protect yellow-breasted chat, common the fragile riparian habitat and yellowthroat, and red-winged because many backwater areas blackbird. provide nesting and hiding places for birds, especially in spring and The "no wake" zone on the Bill summer. Williams River delta can be a peaceful place, particularly if you Boats can be launched from a mile go by canoe or pull your motor and below the refuge office on Parker paddle once you've reached the Dam Road, at Take Off Point. Canoes marsh. Jagged desert mountains and hand-carried boats tower above, wrapped by a searing may be launched from refuge blue sky; golden cattails wave in the headquarters. Be sure to be out breeze and harbor great blue herons, by 4:00 pm, when the gate is locked, egrets, and rails. if you wish to take your boat out on refuge grounds. The Bill Williams Road takes you along the river, through desert Fishing Fishing for striped and largemouth uplands, and past a valley lined with bass, catfish, bluegill, and others, is cottonwoods, willows, and salt cedar. allowed on the refuge (all Arizona Along the way you can stop and fishing regulations apply). Please explore the desert and cliff-base use catch-and-release techniques habitat, where phainopepla and with any native fish caught, and cactus wren are common. Walk out report catches to refuge staff. on cactus-flecked rises and look north to scan the cottonwood crowns Hunting Hunting is permitted on Bill at eye level. Here you might spot a Williams River NWR for mourning summer tanager, Bullock's oriole, and white-winged dove, Gambel's or any of several warbler migrants. quail, and cottontail rabbit on Look, also, for the elusive yellow- designated areas. Desert bighorn billed cuckoo that often perches amid sheep hunting is also allowed on the tree's thick central branches. designated areas of the refuge, but you will need a special state permit. Help Us Protect Camping is not allowed on the Bill Williams To get to Bill Williams River NWR the Refuge refuge, but visit nearby Bureau of River NWR Facts from Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Camping Land Management wilderness areas Where is it? follow Arizona Highway 95 south for excellent camping opportunities. approximately 23 miles. Headquarters are located between mileposts 160 and 161. Fires To protect scarce desert wood, fires are not permitted on Bill Williams When was it January 1941. River NWR. established? Pets Pets must be leashed and under How big is it? 6,000 acres.