Steigerwald Lake refuge to reopen May 1

After two years of waiting, Clark County residents will soon be able to enjoy the outdoors again at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is slated to reopen to visitors on May 1.

During those two years, the refuge has been undergoing the largest habitat restoration project in the history of the lower Columbia River.

The project partners will greet visitors during a reopening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 7. Light refreshments will be served, and guests should come prepared for the weather with sun and/or rain protection.

The ceremony will be held a short walk from the new Steigerwald refuge parking lot. On the day of the ceremony, parking will be limited to those needing ADA access although shuttles from Washougal will be provided. The gathering begins at 10 a.m. and speakers will begin at 10:30 a.m. Following the speakers, there will be opportunities to walk the trails and tour the site.

The restoration project included expanding the refuge by 160 acres, removing 2.2 miles of levees along the Columbia River, removing a concrete channel along Gibbons Creek, removing a fish ladder at the confluence of the creek at the Columbia River, building 1.6 miles of new levees to protect the Port of Camas-Washougal industrial park and wastewater treatment plant, and raising parts of state Route 14 to the river’s 500-year flood level.

Other work included moving and expanding the refuge parking, adding 1.1 miles of new trails, and planting 500,000 trees and shrubs and 14,000 pounds of native plant species seeds.

For more information about the project, go to https://www.refuge2020.info/steigerwald-reconnection-project.