Cibola Valley Wildlife Area
The Cibola Valley is located in La Paz County and encompasses the land inside an engineered bend of the lower Colorado River and a remnant oxbow on the west side of the river (Palo Verde Oxbow). The Cibola Valley Conservation and Wildlife Area (CVCWA) is located within the Cibola Valley between river miles 99-104 within the historic floodplain of the lower Colorado River and immediately north of the Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.
The CVCWA is 1,309.1 acres of agricultural fields and undeveloped land planted with native vegetation to restore cottonwood-willow, mesquite, and desert upland habitat types. The land and water rights for the CVCWA are leased to the Bureau of Reclamation until 2055 as a part of the lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) which was created to balance the use of the Colorado River water resources with the conservation of native species and their habitats. The program works toward the recovery of species currently listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Recreational opportunities
Camping: No overnight public camping.
Hunting: Open to all hunting in season as permitted under R12-4-304 and R12-4-318, except the wildlife area is closed to the discharge of rifled firearms.
Restrictions
- No open fires
- No firewood cutting or gathering
- Motorized vehicle travel permitted on designated and administrative roads and areas only, except as permitted under R12-4-110(H). No motorized travel is permitted within agriculture and crop production areas. This subsection does not apply to Department authorized vehicles or law enforcement, fire response, or other emergency vehicles
- Posted portions closed to all public entry
Wildlife observed in the area
Birds: Gila Woodpecker, Sonoran Yellow Warbler, Summer Tanager, Vermilion Flycatcher, Yellow-Billed Cuckoo
Mammals: California Leaf-Nosed Bat, Pale Townsend’s Big-Eared Bat, Western Red Bat, Western Yellow Bat, Colorado River Cotton Rat, coyote,
Plants and Vegetation: Cottonwoods dominate the wildlife area. The trees were planted for mitigation.
Directions
From Blythe, CA – go west on Interstate 10 to Hwy 78 South / Neighbours Blvd. exit. Follow Hwy 78 South / Neighbours Blvd. 13 miles to River Rd. Take the right side of the fork to River Rd. Follow River Rd. across the bridge and the CVCWA is a collection of fields within the valley that are mostly the fields nearest to the river and also have native cottonwood/willow and honey mesquite planted in them.
From Yuma AZ. Take I – 8 West to Ogilby Rd exit. Take Ogilby Road Hwy 78. Take Hwy 78 to River Rd. ake the right side of the fork to River Rd. Follow River Rd. across the bridge and the CVCWA is a collection of fields within the valley that are mostly the fields nearest to the river and also have native cottonwood/willow and honey mesquite planted in them.
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