| Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge | |
|---|---|
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area) | |
 Marsh land at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge | |
   | |
| Location | Juab County, Utah,United States |
| Nearest city | Dugway, Utah |
| Coordinates | 39°51′29″N113°22′01″W / 39.85806°N 113.36694°W /39.85806; -113.36694 |
| Area | 17,992 acres (7,281 ha) |
| Established | 1959 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge |
Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is at the southern end of theGreat Salt Lake Desert, part of theGreat Basin inJuab County,Utah, United States. The Refuge is managed by theUnited States Fish and Wildlife Service. As anoasis in theGreat Basin Desert in western Utah, Fish Springs serves a variety of species includingfish,migratorybirds,deer,coyotes,pronghorn,cougars and other native species.The reserve can be reached by paved road fromLynndyl toTopaz Mountain and then by improved dirt road to thePony Express Road/Lincoln Highway improved dirt road which runs through the Refuge. The Refuge also is a recreational area for permitted outdoor activities. TheFish Springs Range runs north to south and is immediately west of the Wildlife Refuge.[1]
Fish Springs started as aPony Express and Overland Stage station, and got its name from the fish that populated the springs, which were reported to be over 6 inches (15 cm) in length.[2]
The fish are left over from ancientLake Bonneville which receded about 14,000 years ago. Several naturalsprings feed the wetlands. These are along a linear path at the range front (that is, fault controlled), and include North Springs, Deadman Springs, House Springs, Middle Springs, Thomas Springs, South Springs, and Percy Springs. Fish Springs is thought to be the end of a long flowpath ofgroundwater, starting in theSchell Creek Range andSnake Range area and flowing alongpermeable bedrock (for example,limestones) or faults toward Fish Springs.[3][failed verification] This comes from the fact the annualdischarge of the springs is 27,500 acre-feet (33,900,000 m3)/year, and the annualrecharge for the drainage area (the range front andFish Springs Flat) is about 4,000 acre-feet (4,900,000 m3)/year, meaning over 6 times more water flows out of the springs than falls in the valley annually by precipitation. The springs and several wells in the area are monitored by Fish and Wildlife personnel and/or theUtah Geological Survey. The water of Fish Springs is not suited for human consumption, being warm (~80 °F (27 °C)) and highly saline.[4]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
