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Map Satellite Southeast of Topaz Lake, an artificial impoundment, the West Walker River follows a number of small channels, including several canals. Here are found numerous Great Basin wetland habitats, freshwater marshes, grassy marshes and mudflats as well as open water and a riparian association, the latter with willow, Salix sp., and cottonwood, Populus sp.
The non-wetland area is primarily Great Basin sagebrush scrub, with Atriplex sp. and Chrysothamnus sp. conspicuous.
This area is an important resting and feeding site for water birds on the xeric Great Basin flyway. Canada geese, Branta canadensis, Western grebe, Aechmophorus occidentalis, mallard, Anas platyrhynchos, gadwall, Anas strepera, and cinnamon teal, Anas cyanoptera, nest here.
During the winter there are large numbers of raptors foraging, including prairie falcons, Falco mexicanus, bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, rough-legged hawks, Buteo lagopus, and short-eared owls, Asio flammeus.
Integrity: The area is fenced and grazed.
Use: Private
May 1981
Inventory of California Natural Areas
Revision © 2009 Steven Louis Hartman
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