Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge

The Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,218 acre National Wildlife Refuge located along the Tombigbee River near Coffeeville, Alabama. Named after the Choctaw tribe, it was established to provide a wood duck brood habitat and serve as a protected wintering area for waterfowl.Of the 4,218 acres of the refuge, approximately 1,802 acres of lakes, sloughs, and creeks, 2,265 acres of bottomland hardwoods, and 151acre of croplands and moist soil units. The facility has a four-person staff with a $882,000 annual budget.The refuge also manages an additional 236acre in perpetual conservation easements in eight parcels in Monroe, Sumter and Conecuh counties.HistoryChoctaw NWR was established in 1964 on lands acquired by the Corp of Engineers in conjunction with the Coffeeville Lock and Dam project.TopographyThe 4,218 acre refuge encompasses approximately 1,802 acres of lakes, sloughs, and creeks, 2,265 acres of bottomland hardwoods, and 151acre of croplands and moist soil units.The refuge borders the Tombigbee River for 6.5mi. Okatuppa and Turkey Creeks divide the refuge into three unites. The river and the creeks make a large portion of the refuge accessible only by boat. The entire refuge is subject to annual Spring flooding.