The Audubon Lake Unit includes a variety of habitats, including an 80-acre lake, alkaline mudflats, grasslands, and channeled scablands, which attract a variety of birds, and this site offers great opportunities for birdwatchers. Hunting and fishing is prohibited on this unit. The unit is part of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail and the Audubon's Great Washington State Birding Trail.
The Audubon Lake Unit is located on the north side of the town of Reardan in northeast Lincoln County. From State Hwy 231, the unit is accessible off both Euclid Avenue and E. Railroad Avenue.
The Reardan Audubon Lake Unit is the headwaters for Crab Creek, a tributary to the Columbia River, and Deep Creek, which drains east to the Spokane River. The unit is primarily surrounded by private and Department of Natural Resources lands.
This unit is part of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area.
Game Management Unit: 130
Getting there
Maps and directions to WDFW-managed access points for this unit. Opens Google Maps in a new tab.
Recreation and public access
A Discover Pass is required on WDFW lands -- including water access areas, wildlife areas, and campgrounds -- unless you already have a Vehicle Access Pass issued with the purchase of an eligible hunting or fishing license. Recreate responsibly on public lands: please know the Public Conduct Rules.
Public facility information:
- Parking areas
- Vault toilets
- Informational kiosks
- Viewing blinds/scopes
Recreation and access advisories
- Hunting and fishing are prohibited.
- Open fires are prohibited.
- Overnight parking and camping are prohibited.
Wildlife viewing
Reardan Audubon Lake supports over 200 bird and other wildlife species, offering excellent bird and wildlife viewing opportunities.
This unit has viewing blinds with viewing scopes in the south blind, and cut-outs in the north blind if you bring your own viewing equipment. The blinds are accessed via short (about 0.25 mile) ADA-accessible asphalt trails from the parking lots. So many birdwatchers have been coming to this site since the 1950's, that it became known as Audubon Lake. Birds love this shallow basin for its food-rich alkaline mudflats, especially spring and fall migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. This unit is part of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail and Audubon's Great Washington State Birding Trail Palouse to Pines Loop.
Search for potential birding opportunities on or near a wildlife area unit by using eBird Northwest, a citizen science database portal that provides freely-shared bird lists at 'hotspots' and interactive maps plus other birding information updated daily.
Wildlife viewing advisories
- Visitors should not approach the edges of the lake to avoid disturbing birds. This is especially important during spring and summer when birds are hatching and raising young.
Other recreational opportunities
This unit offers hiking/walking opportunities.
This unit is part of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail and Audubon's Great Washington State Birding Trail Palouse to Pines Loop.
Conservation
This unit includes an 80-acre lake, wetlands, grasslands, and channeled scablands.
Special habitats and species
The unit includes an 80-acre lake, wetland, grasslands and channeled scablands. Birds, especially migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, are drawn to the lake. This unit includes rare Palouse Prairie grassland habitat.
Conservation goals
- Work with local groups on future acquisition phases
- Develop a riparian habitat restoration plan
The unit includes an 80-acre lake, wetland, grasslands and channeled scablands. Birds, especially migrating waterfowl and shorebirds, are drawn to the lake. This unit includes rare Palouse Prairie grassland habitat.
- Work with local groups on future acquisition phases
- Develop a riparian habitat restoration plan
Land stewardship
The Reardan Audubon Lake unit was purchased for wildlife habitat protection for migratory birds (primarily shorebirds and waterfowl) and wildlife viewing. The blinds and other recreational facilities come from additional grants and donations from WDFW cooperating partners, including the Spokane Audubon Society, Inland Northwest Land Trust, Lincoln County Conservation District, Reardan Lions Club, and Friends of Audubon Lake.
Acquisition history
The parcels making up this area were purchased between 2006 and 2017.
| Funder | Fund |
|---|---|
| US Fish and Wildlife Service | North American Wetlands Conservation Program |
| WA Recreation and Conservation Office | Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program |
Management planning
2015 Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Management Plan
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) revised the management plan for Swanson Lakes and Revere wildlife areas in 2015. The new plan, which was developed through a public process, addresses the status of wildlife species and their habitat, the progress of restoration efforts, and public recreation opportunities. The plan covers management activities for three distinctly different landscapes in the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, the Reardan Audubon Lake Unit, and the Revere Wildlife Area. Every eight to 10 years, WDFW revises management plans for each of its 33 wildlife areas to document current conditions, address new agency initiatives, and identify new management priorities and actions. In between those major revisions, WDFW updates plans every two years to outline short-term objectives and accomplishments.
Planning Advisory Committee
Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area Advisory Committee