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Maryland
213

State of Maryland Parks

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USA Parks
Maryland
Central Region
Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge
Baltimore Oriole © stateparks.com
A Baltimore Orioles nest is a tightly woven pouch located on the end of a branch hanging down on the underside.
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SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
SUSQUEHANNA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge is a small island less than 1.5 acres in size located at the mouth of the Susquehanna River in Harford County, Maryland. It is a satellite Refuge managed by Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. In the 1920's, the island was used as a fish hatchery to produce such species as shad.

In the early 1940's, 13,363 acres of water in the Upper Chesapeake Bay were closed by Presidential Proclamations to the hunting of migratory waterfowl. These water areas were designated as the Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge. At the time of its establishment, the water areas known as the Susquehanna flats were covered with wild celery, pond weeds, redhead grass and other desirable waterfowl foods. Peak waterfowl population numbers included over 500,000 canvasback and redhead ducks and over 200,000 American wigeon. These rich areas of aquatic growth began declining in the 1960's due to changes in the water quality and quantity.

Development above the Conowingo Dam caused more rapid drainage and greater water flow through the dam. Currents in the upper Chesapeake Bay deposited heavy loads of silt in the Susquehanna flats area. What remained of the suitable waterfowl vegetation was destroyed when Hurricane Agnes moved through in 1972. Today, only a few thousand geese may be found around the refuge during the winter months.

Because of the dramatic decrease in waterfowl numbers and vegetation in the area, the Presidential Proclamations were lifted on September 1, 1978 and the waters were returned to the State of Maryland. Battery Island remains a part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.




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Area Campgrounds
Bar Harbor RV Park
4228 Birch Avenue
Abingdon, MD
Buttonwood Beach R.V. Resort
170 Buttonwood Road
Earleville, MD
410-275-2108
Woodlands Camping Resort
265 Starkey Lane
Elkton, MD
410-398-4414
Area Fishing Related Businesses
Herb's Tackle Shop
203 S Main St
North East, MD
(410) 287-5490
Port Side Inc
130 S Main St
Port Deposit, MD
(410) 378-3134
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

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Maryland
213

State of Maryland Parks

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