The Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a 4,049 acre (16.4 km2) National Wildlife Refuge located in Lanier County, Georgia. Banks Lake is a natural pocosin or sink of ancient geologic origin. The refuge was established in 1985 for the protection and conservation of this unique environment as well as migratory and resident wildlife.
An estimated 20,000 people visit the refuge each year. There is no dedicated budget or staff for the refuge; it is administered completely by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Entrance sign for the refuge.Banks Lake NWR concessionaire.
Banks Lake is a natural pocosin or mill pond probably created by tidal action of the ocean and shaped by a more temperate climate thousands of years ago.
In the mid-19th century, Joshua Lee built a low-level dam across the drainage creek on his property and utilized the impounded running water to power a gristmill to grind corn, wheat, and rice. The impounded lake and accompanying mill established the area as a trade center along the early stagecoach route between Waresboro, Georgia and Thomasville, Georgia.
In the 1920s, the E.D. Rivers family attempted to develop the area around the lake for electric power and land development.
In the 1970s, the E.D. Rivers Estate threatened to drain the lake and harvest the "lightered stumps" and cypress trees.
The Nature Conservancy purchased the land from the E.D. Rivers Estate on March 14, 1980. In April, 1980, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service entered into a lease agreement with The Nature Conservancy for management and operation of Banks Lake. On February 22, 1985, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service purchased Banks Lake from The Nature Conservancy and redesignated it as the Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
Topographyedit
Banks Lake is a natural pocosin probably created by tidal action of the ocean and shaped by a more temperate climate thousands of years ago. Of the 4,049 acres (16.4 km2), approximately 1,000 acres (4 km2) is open water. The remainder consists of marsh, hardwood swamp, and uplands.
Media related to Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge at Wikimedia Commons
Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge homepage
FWS profile of Banks Lake NWR
Recreation.gov overview
January 01, 1970
banks, lake, national, wildlife, refuge, acre, national, wildlife, refuge, located, lanier, county, georgia, banks, lake, natural, pocosin, sink, ancient, geologic, origin, refuge, established, 1985, protection, conservation, this, unique, environment, well, m. The Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a 4 049 acre 16 4 km2 National Wildlife Refuge located in Lanier County Georgia Banks Lake is a natural pocosin or sink of ancient geologic origin The refuge was established in 1985 for the protection and conservation of this unique environment as well as migratory and resident wildlife Banks Lake National Wildlife RefugeIUCN category IV habitat species management area View in Banks Lake National Wildlife RefugeLocationLanier County Georgia United StatesNearest cityLakeland GeorgiaCoordinates31 01 11 N 83 07 39 W 31 01969910 N 83 12750244 W 31 01969910 83 12750244Area4 049 acres 16 4 km2 Established1985Visitors20 000 in 2005 Governing bodyU S Fish and Wildlife ServiceWebsiteBanks Lake National Wildlife Refuge An estimated 20 000 people visit the refuge each year There is no dedicated budget or staff for the refuge it is administered completely by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Contents 1 History 2 Topography 3 Facilities 4 See also 5 External linksHistory edit nbsp Entrance sign for the refuge nbsp Banks Lake NWR concessionaire Banks Lake is a natural pocosin or mill pond probably created by tidal action of the ocean and shaped by a more temperate climate thousands of years ago In the mid 19th century Joshua Lee built a low level dam across the drainage creek on his property and utilized the impounded running water to power a grist mill to grind corn wheat and rice The impounded lake and accompanying mill established the area as a trade center along the early stagecoach route between Waresboro Georgia and Thomasville Georgia In the 1920s the E D Rivers family attempted to develop the area around the lake for electric power and land development In the 1970s the E D Rivers Estate threatened to drain the lake and harvest the lightered stumps and cypress trees The Nature Conservancy purchased the land from the E D Rivers Estate on March 14 1980 In April 1980 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service entered into a lease agreement with The Nature Conservancy for management and operation of Banks Lake On February 22 1985 the U S Fish and Wildlife Service purchased Banks Lake from The Nature Conservancy and redesignated it as the Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge Topography editBanks Lake is a natural pocosin probably created by tidal action of the ocean and shaped by a more temperate climate thousands of years ago Of the 4 049 acres 16 4 km2 approximately 1 000 acres 4 km2 is open water The remainder consists of marsh hardwood swamp and uplands Facilities editFishing is permitted year round on the lake in accordance with Georgia State fishing laws Sportfish most caught include largemouth bass chain pickerel crappie bluegill warmouth perch flier and catfish A short walking trail boardwalk and platform are provided for wildlife viewing opportunitiesA concession the Banks Lake Outdoors rents canoes and kayaks and sells fishing and hunting licenses bait and tackle gifts and snacks See also editList of National Wildlife RefugesExternal links edit nbsp Media related to Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge at Wikimedia Commons Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge homepage FWS profile of Banks Lake NWR Recreation gov overview Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Banks Lake National Wildlife Refuge amp oldid 1216290636, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
