Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge

Coldwater River National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Mississippi, 4 1/2 miles south of the town of Crowder. Established in 2000, this refuge consists of 2,374 acres. At the center of the refuge are 24 retired catfish ponds, ranging in size from 12 to 21 acres and totaling 497 acres. These ponds are intensively managed for migrating waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds. A majority of the refuge has been reforested in native bottomland hardwood species. Almost all of this forested land is flooded annually during the winter and spring by backwater flooding. Up to 10,000 migratory waterfowl winter on the refuge, and 34 species of shorebirds have been recorded during the spring and fall migration. Peregrine falcons, least terns, black terns, bald and golden eagles, and wood storks have been observed. Due to intensive management, the refuge is critically important as a sanctuary for waterfowl and neotropical migratory birds. For this reason, the refuge is closed to public access except for an observation tower at the north end of the ponds.