Description:
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1990 to protect, conserve, and restore habitat for wildlife native to the river's floodplain. The refuge consists of twenty-one islands and three mainland tracts scattered along nearly 400 miles of the river in three states: West Virginia, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania. Although over 3200 acres of land and underwater habitats are held by the refuge, this represents only a small fraction of what was once the "wild" Ohio.
Two-hundred species of birds use refuge lands and surrounding waters at some time during the year. Many are present only during migrations, stopping here to feed and rest. Eighty species are known to nest on the refuge, including prothonotary and cerulean warblers, wood ducks, and great blue herons.
Underwater deposits of sand and gravel associated with the islands provide some of the best freshwater mussel habitat in the Ohio River. Nearly forty mussel species make the refuge home,including the federally endangered fanshell and pink mucket.
Directions:
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge headquarters are located at 3004 7th Street (Rt. 50) in Parkersburg, WV. Take exit #176 on I-77, travel west for one mile on 7th Street. Headquarters are located in a strip mall on the left.
Most refuge property is accessible only by boat, however, Middle Island adjacent to St. Marys, WV has bridge access from the mainland. From State Route 2 in St. Marys, turn onto George Street and continue two blocks to the island's bridge. Contact the refuge