Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a 1,049-acre protected area along the Columbia River in Clark County, Washington, about 10 miles east of Vancouver. The refuge protects a riverine floodplain and semi-permanent wetland with cottonwood trees, pastures, and stands of Oregon white oak. A major restoration project is removing about 2 miles of levees to reconnect 965 acres of floodplain to the river, making it the largest wetland restoration on the lower Columbia River.

The refuge sits partly within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and serves as the operational headquarters for the nearby Pierce National Wildlife Refuge. It is home to the Gateway to the Gorge visitor center, opened in late 2022, which Washington’s Department of Transportation expects could attract up to 100,000 visitors a year.

Quick facts:
- IUCN category IV
- Established 1987
- Governing body: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Nearest city: Washougal
- Area: 1,049 acres