Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

"East of Washougal, WA and partly within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is 1,049 acres of wetlands, pastures, and woodlands along the Columbia River.

When the second powerhouse at Bonneville Dam was constructed in the late 70s and early 80s, lowland habitat was lost both up and downstream. In 1987, a portion of these Refuge lands were established to reduce the impact of this loss and create more habitat for migrating and resident wildlife. Since then smaller pieces of land have been added to create what is now the Steigerwald Lake NWR.

In 2009 the Refuge also became a place for people. With the addition of a 2 ¾ mile art trail, thousands of visitors now come with their families, as part of educational groups, and on their own to experience the year round abundance of wildlife that call this area home."

-- Courtesy U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

The refuge, one of five units in the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex, lies along the Columbia River just east of Washougal, Washington. In 2019, the Estuary Partnership, US Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners began a multi-year habitat restoration effort on the refuge that is scheduled to be completed in late 2021. You can find information on current Refuge closures and updates on the Refuge 20/20 page.