Alabama
public hunting land
Key
Cave National Wildlife Refuge
Description:
Key Cave NWR, about 5 miles
southwest of Florence, Alabama,
was established in 1997
to ensure the biological
integrity of Key Cave, Collier
Cave, and the aquifer common
to both. Key Cave has been
designated as critical habitat
for the endangered Alabama
cavefish (Speoplatyrhinus
poulsoni) and as a priority
one maternity cave for the
endangered gray bat (Myotis
grisescens). Collier Cave,
located approximately 1.5
miles upstream from Key
Cave and within the acquisition
boundary, is important to
both species as potential
habitat. Both caves are
on the northern shore of
Pickwick Lake in a limestone
karst area that contains
numerous sinkholes and several
underground cave systems.
The area's sinkholes are
an integral component of
groundwater recharge to
the caves. The area directly
north of Key Cave was identified
as a potential high hazard
risk area for groundwater
recharge and this is where
the 1,060-acre Refuge was
established.
map
Eufaula
National Wildlife Refuge
Web Site
Source:
Recreation.gov