Jamestown (Kansas) Wildlife Area
Encyclopedia
Jamestown Wildlife Area consist of 3239 acres (13.1 km²) in Northern Kansas. It is located primarily in Republic County, Kansas
and partially in Cloud County, Kansas
. Driving directions are 5 miles (8 km) North and 2 miles (3.2 km) West of Jamestown, Kansas
. The area is commonly called "Jamestown Lake" by local residents.
The area is popular for both hunting
and fishing
. The lake and its surrounding areas are maintained by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
that have been under state management since 1932. The two larger marshes were one of the twelve wetlands sold to provide funding for Emporia State Teachers College
.
Historically the area was considered a "salty”, shallow, marshy area. In dry seasons salt could be found. A large amount of wildlife would coome to the area in the wet season. The areas marshes attracted Native Americans
, early settlers and were important to migrating herds of bison
, flocks of waterfowl
and other wildlife.
Local residents constructed dam
s on the lower ends of both large marshes in the early 1900s to provide a more reliable water supply for recreation.
Republic County, Kansas
Republic County is a county located in the state of Kansas. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 4,980. The largest city and county seat is Belleville.-19th century:...
and partially in Cloud County, Kansas
Cloud County, Kansas
Cloud County is a county located in North Central Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the county population was 9,533. Its county seat and most populous city is Concordia.-19th century:...
. Driving directions are 5 miles (8 km) North and 2 miles (3.2 km) West of Jamestown, Kansas
Jamestown, Kansas
Jamestown is a city in Cloud County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 286.-1911 fire:In 1911 the entire downtown shopping district was destroyed by a fire...
. The area is commonly called "Jamestown Lake" by local residents.
The area is popular for both hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
. The lake and its surrounding areas are maintained by the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.
History
The Jamestown Wildlife Area is a collection of wetlands and uplandsUplands
Uplands may refer to:* Highland , a range of hills* CFB Uplands, a Canadian Forces Base* Indiana Uplands, a geographical region in south-central Indiana* Uplands, Greater Victoria, British Columbia, Canada** Uplands Park, a park...
that have been under state management since 1932. The two larger marshes were one of the twelve wetlands sold to provide funding for Emporia State Teachers College
Emporia State University
Emporia State University is a university in the city of Emporia in Lyon County, Kansas, just east of the Flint Hills.- History :...
.
Historically the area was considered a "salty”, shallow, marshy area. In dry seasons salt could be found. A large amount of wildlife would coome to the area in the wet season. The areas marshes attracted Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, early settlers and were important to migrating herds of bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
, flocks of waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
and other wildlife.
Local residents constructed dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s on the lower ends of both large marshes in the early 1900s to provide a more reliable water supply for recreation.