Lake Merritt Wild Duck Refuge - Oakland, CA
Posted by: ucdvicky
N 37° 48.401 W 122° 15.397
10S E 565438 N 4184626
The nation's first wildlife refuge.
Waymark Code: WM27BA
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 09/16/2007
Views: 39
"Dr. Merritt, the Mayor of Oakland, declared the Lake a National Wildlife Refuge in 1869, the first in North America. A dam was proposed to regulate the tidal water flow, to increase the water level, with a retaining wall that is 3.18 miles in perimeter.
In 1915 organized feedings of the wildlife (ducks) began. In 1925 the first bird island was constructed and four additional islands were erected in 1956. These are the largest of the artificial islands that house hundreds of egrets, herons, canada goose, and many other species of birds. The islands are equiped with fresh water ponds. To ensure that marine sports and boating activities based at Lake Merritt aren't distruptive to the birds, a boom cordons off the five islands from this section." - Oakland City website
County / Borough / Parish: Alameda
Year listed: 1966
Historic (Areas of) Significance: Event
Periods of significance: 1850-1874
Historic function: Park
Current function: Park
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Street address: Not listed
Privately owned?: Not Listed
Season start / Season finish: Not listed
Hours of operation: Not listed
Secondary Website 1: Not listed
Secondary Website 2: Not listed
National Historic Landmark Link: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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