View source for Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

{{Short description|Protected wetland area in Chavez County, New Mexico, USA}}
{{For|other uses of the names Bitter Lake|Bitter Lake (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox protected area
| name = Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
| iucn_category = IV
| photo = Bitter Lakes New Mexico.jpg
| map = USA
| relief = 1
| map_caption = 
| location = [[Chaves County, New Mexico]], United States
| nearest_city = [[Roswell, NM]]
| coordinates = {{coord|33|31|00|N|104|24|30|W|display=inline, title}}
| area_acre = 24536
| established = 1937
| visitation_num = 
| visitation_year = 
| governing_body = [[U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service]]
| website = [https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bitter_Lake/ Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge]
| embedded = {{Designation list
| embed = yes
| designation1 = Ramsar
| designation1_offname = Roswell Artesian Wetlands
| designation1_date = 20 January 2010
| designation1_number = 1917<ref>{{Cite web|title=Roswell Artesian Wetlands|website=[[Ramsar Convention|Ramsar]] Sites Information Service|url=https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1917|access-date=25 April 2018}}</ref>}}
}}

'''Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge''' is a United States [[National Wildlife Refuge]] located in two separate sections in central [[Chaves County, New Mexico]], United States, a few miles northeast of the city of [[Roswell, New Mexico|Roswell]]. Both sections lie on the banks of the [[Pecos River]].  The refuge was established in 1937 to provide habitat for migratory birds such as the [[sandhill crane]] and the [[snow goose]], but it is also notable for rare native [[fish]] and the over 90 species of [[dragonfly|dragonflies]] and [[damselfly|damselflies]] that inhabit the refuge.

Where the [[Chihuahuan Desert]] meets the Southern Plains, Bitter Lake is one of the most biologically significant [[wetland]] areas of the Pecos River basin.  The Bitter Lake Group of lake and wetlands within the National Wildlife Refuge was listed as a [[National Natural Landmark]] in 1980.

==Aquatic habitats==
Bitter Lake includes various unique aquatic habitats. The Pecos River flows across the refuge and forms oxbow lakes. Additionally, the Roswell aquifer underlies the area. Erosion of gypsum by this underground water has caused many sinkholes, some of which have become very deep lakes that are home to unique species. Underground water also feeds springs that are the source of water for the lakes on the refuge. The water level in these lakes is managed by park personnel and is adjusted throughout the year to accommodate the different species of birds that migrate to the refuge.

==Dragonflies==
Bitter Lake hosts a diverse population of over 90 species of dragonflies and damselfiles.<ref>Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  US Fish and Wildlife Service. pamphlet, February 2007</ref> There is a special viewing area along the auto tour route, however, dragonflies can be seen throughout the refuge. The peak dragonfly population occurs in July and August. The park hosts an annual dragonfly festival in September.

{|
|[[image:Bitter Lake Dragonfly.jpg|x150px|thumb|none|A dragonfly at Bitter Lake]]
|[[image:Dragonfly Bitter Lakes.jpg|x150px|thumb|none|A dragonfly in the fall]]
|}

==Birds==
Bitter Lake is especially known as a refuge for birds. There are at least 350 species of birds that have been recorded on the refuge.<ref>Watchable Wildlife: Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pamphlet August 1997</ref> Bird activity varies year-round with Bitter Lake serving as a refuge for migrating species. Songbirds can be seen in the spring, especially May. In the summer months the refuge is home to many marsh and shorebirds. In the fall there are raptor migrations. Waterfowl concentrations rise in the winter. While some species such as the sandhill crane can number in the thousands, others have been spotted only on rare occasions.

{|
|[[image:Bitter Lake Birds Flying.jpg|thumb|x150px|View from the visitor center]]
|[[image:Bitter Lake Swarm of Birds.jpg|thumb|x150px|Swarm of birds in the summer]]
|[[File:Grus canadensis flying at Bitter Lake Nov 2010.jpg|thumb|x150px|Resident [[sandhill crane]]s flying in formation]]
|}

==Notes==
<references/>

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge}}
* [https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Bitter_Lake/ Bitter Lake NWR Official Site]

{{Protected areas of New Mexico}}
{{National Wildlife Refuges of the United States}}
{{Ramsar sites in the United States}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:National Wildlife Refuges in New Mexico]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Chaves County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1937]]
[[Category:Ramsar sites in the United States]]
[[Category:Wetlands of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Landforms of Chaves County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:Protected areas of the Chihuahuan Desert]]