A National Jewel in the Kootenai Valley

The only national wildlife refuge in Idaho north of Boise is in Boundary County. Located five miles west of Bonners Ferry, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (KNWR) is also the smallest refuge in Idaho at 2774 acres. Dianna Ellis, Refuge Manager, presented the history of Kootenai NWR at the Friends of the Refuge “Discover the Refuge” program on Oct. 28.

While KNWR may be small, there is a diversity of wildlife and habitat. There are over 300 species that inhabit the refuge, with 223 bird species, 22 fish species, 45 mammal species, 6 species of reptiles and 7 species of amphibians.

These species occupy a variety of habitats on the refuge that include permanent wetlands, seasonal wetlands, riparian areas, meadows, grasslands and forest. In addition, there is cropland farmed for the birds.

“We still grow 200 acres of grain each year,” said Ellis. “We try to alter or improve the habitat here.”

The refuge’s wetlands are not original wetlands but are restored wetlands. When KNWR was established in 1964 to restore waterfowl habitat in the Kootenai Valley, the entire refuge was farm land.

“What is neat is Jim Tucker was farming the refuge with his dad when the refuge was established,” said Ellis. “We continued cooperative farming until 1999.”

In 2000, KNWR hired Jim Tucker to farm the croplands just for the waterfowl according to Ellis. With cooperative farming, 60 percent of the crop was harvested and 40 percent was left for the waterfowl. Currently, all of the crops are left for the waterfowl. Crops grown include winter wheat, barley, millet, wheatgrass and others.

“We planted rice and once the ducks discovered it…it’s like candy,” says Ellis. “I don’t know if there will be any seed.”

After being established, KNWR began restoring wetlands with Myrtle Pond being the first. Myrtle Pond is the first pond on the right side of the Auto Tour.

Ellis manages the water levels of the ponds with a combination of pumps and ditches to ensure the water level is ideal for resident and migratory waterfowl.

“These are managed wetlands,” said Ellis. “The refuge is managed for wildlife. It is much more restrictive than the Forest Service or BLM because we have to meet wildlife needs first.”

The purpose of KNWR is to be a sanctuary for migratory birds since the Kootenai Valley is on the Pacific Flyway. Jan Rose, Biological Technician, spent part of the summer inventorying the birds utilizing the wetlands.

In collaboration with Idaho Fish and Game, Rose conducted the Idaho Marsh Bird Monitoring Program, which is part of the Idaho Bird Inventory and Survey. The five main marsh birds surveyed included the American bittern, Sora Rail, Virginia Rail, Wilson Snipe and the Pied-Billed Grebe. Rose found all five on the refuge.

“Marsh birds are on a decline nationwide,” said Rose. “We are trying to get a handle on it.”

Other projects Rose conducted this summer included fencing cottonwoods to increase riparian areas, creating underwater topography maps of the ponds, grass surveys, weekly waterfowl surveys, collecting pollinators and correlating weekly photos of the creeks to the water levels of the Kootenai River.

“Creating underwater topography maps greatly helps water management,” said Rose. “The underwater elevation is key.”

In addition to meeting the needs of wildlife, one of the refuge’s goals is to provide for wildlife-dependent public uses such as hunting, fishing, photography, environmental education and wildlife observation.

“This past year we have had 40,000 visitors. That’s a lot,” said Ellis. “We will be the little refuge loved to death.”

Visitors can drive, walk, bike or ski the 4.5 mile auto tour. There are 5.2 miles of trails through the different habitats, including the Deep Creek Trail, Island Pond Trail, Ole Humpback Trail, Myrtle Falls Trail and Chickadee Trail. All trails are open year-round except Island Pond Trail which is closed during waterfowl hunting season.

Also 740 acres of the refuge is open to waterfowl hunting on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Big game and grouse hunters can hunt on 500 acres of the refuge and bank fishing is allowed in Myrtle Creek.

“The whole emphasis is how to manage the refuge…to make it the best we can be,” said Ellis.

KNWR is currently revising their Comprehensive Conservation Plan. After reviewing public comments, Ellis and Rose are revising the draft plan. There will be opportunities for public comment on the revised draft plan.