Carson Lake and Pasture near Fallon to become Nevada’s newest Wildlife Management Area
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 05/02/2021 - 10:28am
The State of Nevada and the federal government have agreed to transfer more than 23,000 acres in Churchill County, known as Carson Lakes and Pasture, for long-term management and protection of wetlands that provides habitat to shorebirds and waterfowl, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
The agreement includes a parcel of wetlands and pasture that was transferred from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Bureau of Land Management. The soon to be designated Nevada wildlife management area is located 8 miles southeast of Fallon. Nearby Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is Nevada's largest wetland.
Now open to the public, the transfer also expands both wildlife viewing and recreation opportunities, according to a news release from the Nevada Department of Wildlife. It will soon be designated as NDOW’s 12th Wildlife Management Area.
“Carson Lake and Pasture is one of the most important wetlands in Nevada, supporting thousands of waterfowl and shorebirds during their spring and fall migrations,” said Tony Wasley, director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, in a news release. “We thank the many state and federal partners who made this historic land transfer possible to ensure the protection of critical habitat to these species, in addition to providing Nevadans, families, and visitors with opportunities to connect with nature and enjoy myriad outdoor adventures, including wildlife viewing, bird-watching, hunting, and more.”
“The Nevada Division of State Lands, together with our many state and federal partners, is excited to establish Carson Lake and Pasture as the State of Nevada’s newest wildlife conservation area,” said Charlie Donohue, Administrator of the Nevada Division of State Lands. “Through this landmark land transfer, we look forward to seeing this spectacular natural treasure protected and preserved. I thank our partners for their collective efforts and support to advance this undertaking and elevate the Silver State’s celebrated outdoor heritage.”
Carson Lake and Pasture features numerous ponds and abundant wet-meadow habitat when water supplies are available. The protection of seasonal wetland habitat in this area will considerably aid the North American Waterfowl Management Plan goals of increasing foraging habitat for breeding and migrating waterfowl.
Surveys on Carson Lake over the past 65 years show that annually up to 150,000 geese, ducks, swans, and other waterfowl can use the area, with approximately 1,200 using the area for breeding.
The wetland area is also recognized as having global importance to migrating shorebirds as part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network, an international conservation initiative dedicated to protecting critical habitats for shorebirds. Annual counts of migrating shorebirds exceed 250,000 birds some years, with more than 10 percent of the total United States’ populations of both American avocets and long-billed dowitchers, according to the news release.
"Carson Lake and Pasture consists of a number of diked impoundments and a terminal 'sink' where water is managed for shorebirds, waterfowl and other waterbirds. The freshwater marshes and shallowly flooded mudflats provide excellent habitat for breeding shorebirds like American Avocets, Black-necked Stilts, and Wilson’s Phalaropes, and other species like Canvasbacks, White-faced Ibis and Pied-billed Grebes," according to the Audubon Society. "With the land transfer finalized, the future is bright for the birds at Carson Lake and Pasture and the Lahontan Valley Wetlands. Audubon is keen to build our partnerships and work in Nevada, and keep the Lahontan Valley, including Carson Lake and Pasture, an exceptional place for birds."
The official land transfer from Reclamation and BLM to the State of Nevada was made possible through collaboration with the Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, and other conservation partners that include the Nevada Waterfowl Association, Audubon and Ducks Unlimited. A special thank you goes to the century-old Greenhead Duck Club that has successfully managed and operated the area since 1912.
