Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is part of the United States National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) System, located in Kings Bay, in the town of Crystal River, and consists of 20 islands and several small parcels of land. The 80-acre (32 ha) refuge (only accessible by boat) was established in 1983, to protect the West Indian manatee.

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
View of the waterfront
Map showing the location of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Map showing the location of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
LocationCitrus County, Florida, United States
Nearest cityCrystal River, Florida
Coordinates28°53′15″N 82°36′00″W / 28.88750°N 82.60000°W / 28.88750; -82.60000
Area80 acres (32 ha)
Established1983
Governing bodyU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Websitewww.fws.gov/refuge/crystal_river/

Management

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The Crystal River NWR administration was changed from the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex to the Crystal River Complex headquartered in Crystal River, Florida. The complex manages Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Crystal River Preserve State Park, as well as the three 'Tampa Bay Refuges'; Egmont Key NWR, Passage Key NWR, and the Pinellas NWR.[1]

 
This is the Kings Spring area. The area behind the buoys and ropes is a manatee sanctuary, where snorkelers and boaters are forbidden to enter.

References

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  1. ^ Crystal River Complex- Retrieved 2017-12-26
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