Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge reopened to the public on May 1. After nearly two years of closure to construct the largest habitat restoration project ever along the lower Columbia River, the Estuary Partnership, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and all the other project partners are excited to welcome the community back to the Refuge.
Public Reopening Ceremony
A public reopening ceremony will be held Saturday, May 7 at the Refuge. Family-friendly public activities will take place from noon to 4pm. Walk the new trail, participate in family friendly activities, talk to Volunteer Refuge Ambassadors about what the refuge has to offer, and chat with us about how you like to engage with nature.
To accommodate a larger than usual crowd, the Refuge parking lot will be closed, and access will be by a shuttle leaving regularly from the Pendleton Mill Store at 2 Pendleton Way, Washougal WA. The shuttle will be mask friendly and wheelchair accessible. If you have questions about this or need alternate accommodations, please call Park Ranger Josie Finley at 360-608-2059.
The refuge can also be accessed from 6 am to 8 pm via a trail connection from William Clark Park at South Index Street at South 32nd Street, Washougal, WA.
See more details and RSVP for the public event here.
Watch the new video to see what the Steigerwald Reconnection Project accomplished:
54°40' Reconnection Hazy IPA release
After the ceremony, staff from the Estuary Partnership and other partners will gather at 54°40' Brewing (map) to enjoy lunch and a pint of their Reconnection Ale, newly released for the occasion. The hazy IPA features “the aroma of overripe peach, tangerine, and mango,” according to brewer Bolt Minister. And even better, a portion of every pint sold supports the Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards, the volunteer group who cares for the Refuge year-round.
The Estuary Partnership will be at 54°40' approximately noon to 2:30pm, but even if you can't make it during those hours you should stop by to enjoy a pint soon. This special brew is around for a limited time and you won't want to miss out.
