Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois.
What is now known as Great River National Wildlife Refuge began in 1958 as part of Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge, a sprawling refuge which included units along the Mississippi River in Iowa, Missouri and Illinois. In 1964, part of Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge was renamed Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, after a former Missouri Congressman who was instrumental in establishing that part of the refuge. In 2001, the remainder of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge was further separated into four smaller refuges which became Great River National Wildlife Refuge, Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge, Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge and Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge restores and mimics the mosaic of habitats that were historically found along the Mississippi River. Slow moving backwaters, floodplain forests, wetlands, sedge meadows and grasslands combine to provide food, shelter and resting areas for a variety of birds.
Great River National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of six divisions:
The refuge is managed from Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge located in Annada, MO.
The headquarters for the Great River Refuge is located on the Clarence Cannon Refuge. From St. Louis, take I-70 west and take exit Highway 79 north. Take 79 north approximately 35 miles to the town of Annada. Turn right on County Road 206 and proceed one mile to the refuge office.