About Us

mountains in background. white geese in water
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The Butte Sink Wildlife Management area was established in 1979 with the primary purpose of preserving native wetland habitat to perpetuate the migratory waterfowl resource in the Central Valley and the Pacific Flyway. It has an acquisition boundary which includes parts of Butte, Colusa and Sutter counties (click here to see a map). It includes 32 conservation easements on approximately 10,311 acres of privately-owned wetlands, but also includes the 733 acre fee-title property known as the Butte Sink Unit.

Managed wetlands comprise the majority of the WMA and consist primarily of seasonal wetlands with fewer semi-permanent and permanent wetlands. The wetlands occur in a floodplain and are characterized by a strong riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

Learn more about riparian forest and emergent vegetation component. Butte Creek and its tributaries meander through the WMA providing a water source for many of the wetlands. The Butte Sink WMA represents the largest contiguous block of wetlands in the Sacramento Valley and typically supports up to 2 million wintering waterfowl and large numbers of the State-listed as threatened greater sandhill crane. These wetlands also support significant populations of breeding herons, egrets, and other waterbirds. Butte Creek and its associated wetlands also support anadromous fish, including federally threatened spring-run Chinook salmon and Central Valley steelhead.

The Butte Sink Unit was established in 1980 as part of the Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area. This unit lies between the Sacramento River and the Sutter Buttes, and is bounded on its west side by Butte Creek.

The Butte Sink Unit also supports large populations of wintering waterfowl, with peak populations historically reaching up to one million birds. Because the easement properties of the Butte Sink WMA are under private ownership, public access is not permitted. Due to its isolated location and difficult access, the Butte Sink Unit is closed to public use.

Managed wetlands comprise the majority of the total acreage, and consist mostly of seasonally flooded wetlands, with occasional semi-permanent wetlands. The remaining acreage is comprised of grasslands and riparian forest habitats. The Butte Sink Unit can host wintering waterfowl in excess of 500,000 ducks and 40,000 geese, occasionally reaching a peak population of over one million birds. Aside from wintering waterfowl, the unit supports other species such as bald eagle, greater sandhill cranes, California quail, deer, shorebirds, and an abundance of raptors such as red-tailed hawks and great-horned owls.

No public use is allowed on the Butte Sink Unit, in accordance with deed restrictions.

Our Mission

blue goose logo for national wildlife refuge system
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The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Other Facilities in this Complex

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area is managed as part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with headquarters at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge Complex is comprised of 5 National Wildlife Refuges (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter and Sacramento River NWRs) and 3 Wildlife Management Areas (Willow Creek-Lurline, Butte Sink and Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMAs).

Large flock of Ross's and snow geese in flight against a blue sky
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Sacramento NWR offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, hunting and so much more. The Visitor Center for the Complex is located at Sacramento NWR, where you can find...
National Wildlife Refuge
six pintails in a courtship flight
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Delevan NWR is mostly closed to the public, but does offer hunting and limited photography.
National Wildlife Refuge
flock of dunlin and dowitchers in flight above wetland surface
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Colusa NWR offers many visitor activities: drive the auto tour, take photos, watch wildlife, go for a hike, or take part in a waterfowl hunt.
National Wildlife Refuge
white-fronted geese standing in pond with reeds in background
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Sutter NWR is located about 50 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento, and offers limited wildlife viewing, hunting, and seasonal trails.
National Wildlife Refuge
black tailed deer in grass with white geese flying in background
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
SACRAMENTO RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Sacramento River NWR is made up of 30 different units that lie between Red Bluff and Princeton. Twenty-four of the units are partially or entirely open to the public, providing a variety of hiking...
National Wildlife Refuge
eight sandhill cranes stand in a shallow wetland with grasses in the background
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Steve Thompson NCV WMA consists primarily of conservation easements on privately-owned wetlands, but also includes one 1,732-acre, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned property known as the Llano...
National Wildlife Refuge
ducks and geese flying in air and in water. mountains in background
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Butte Sink WMA does not have any lands open to the public. Most of the Butte Sink WMA consists of privately-owned properties under conservation easement. One property, known as the Butte Sink Unit, is owned by the U.S....
National Wildlife Refuge
ducks and geese mostly in water with 9 flying. trees in background
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Willow Creek-Lurline WMA consists solely of privately-owned properties under conservation easement, and therefore has no public access.
National Wildlife Refuge