Lake Ophelia NWR was once part of a large contiguous Mississippi River bottomland hardwood forest. The Refuge was established in 2000 with the purpose of conserving and restoring habitat for migratory birds, aquatic resources, and endangered plants and animals.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
