snake river animal shelter

Mississippi River is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. It is also a perfect hide out for a range of endangered and diverse varieties of species. One can guess the significance of the area around the river from the fact that it is a very important migratory strip for almost forty percent of the migratory birds coming to the nation. The backwater of the river is famous as one of the most favored spawning, nesting areas for most of the aquatic, amphibian and terrestrial animals.

With a whooping diversity of animals that include fifty species of mammals and forty five species of reptiles and amphibians, make it one of the most complex ecosystems in the world.

The ideal place to observe animals around the river is known as the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). This is a great place for the animals to find food and shelter. This area is like heaven for the people who love to watch birds of several species. MNRRA witnessed a great number of migratory birds such as ducks, warblers and geese. During winter months, one can also watch bald eagles around the unfrozen areas of the river. Egrets, cormorants and Herons are commonly sighted around the corridor.

The corridor is also a great place for fishing as it is home to around two hundred species of fishes. One can also mark some rare species of fishes that are into existence since dinosaur age. The river is also an excellent natural habitat for a variety of reptiles and amphibians as it offers a very conducive and protective environment. Right from Blanding's Turtle to leopard frog, the fox snake to salamander, one can find a range of sensitive creatures that can readily indicate the change in the quality of the habitat. The population of the above mentioned creatures is widely affected due to atmospheric change and chemical pollutants hence they can be taken as the indicator for atmosphere.

Mammals are also available in a significant population near the river. The population of mammals mainly includes bats, raccoons and whitetail deer that are present around the entire stretched of river corridor. Due to the ever increasing encroachment of humans into their habitat, they have learnt to adapt themselves according to the available environment. The river and the area around the river offer a great and very conducive environment for a large variety of plants and animals.

This great river can be divided into two viz. the Upper Mississippi and the Lower Mississippi. The Upper Mississippi ranges from Minneapolis and St. Louis to the Ohio that will come around 2120 kilometers whereas the Lower Mississippi stretches from Ohio to the Gulf for 1580 kilometers. Entire Mississippi River is home to around 260 species of fishes that comes around twenty five percent of all fish species in North America. Due to the abundance of the great variety of fishes, it has become paradise for migratory waterfowl. Forty percent of the waterfowl is found during spring and fall months around the river area whereas the remaining sixty percent make the river basin as their flyway.

Located about 32 miles due south of the Grand Teton is a major highway in the Snake River Canyon. Highway 89/26 links Alpine, WY with the Hoback Junction in a 23 mile rising serpentine stretch of newly improved highway. Recently, as of mid-May 2011, a 100 yard wide landslide blocked the highway; completely sealing off access up or down the canyon. Please note that this landslide does not isolate the Town of Jackson or Grand Teton National Park in any way.

TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE

Due to the moving nature of the landslide, it will be difficult to remove the debris from the road for several weeks. The Snake River Canyon is closed to through-traffic until contractors can remove the landslide and haul the rock, mud and trees to Alpine and the Hoback Junction. This may be one of the biggest landslides in recent canyon history and is due to record-breaking snow and rainfall in the most recent winter.

HOW IT AFFECTS WHITEWATER RAFTING

This apparent dilemma will put the Snake River Canyon whitewater rafting in jeopardy for the next several weeks mostly due to access. The landslide extends from the near top of the steep mountain into the Snake River. Although the river is not blocked and no natural dam has been created, outfitters in the shadows of the Grand Teton in Jackson will not have direct access through the canyon for launching and recovery of whitewater rafts and guests.

THE SCENIC SOLUTION

There is a solution to this problem however. Although this solution will cost travelers and visitors from the south an additional 55 miles of scenic driving, not all is lost.

One of the most scenic highways adjacent to the Grand Teton extends from the Town of Jackson over Teton Pass and into Idaho on the west side of the Teton Mountain Range. Highway 22 rises to an altitude of 8,429 feet above sea level to an unobstructed overlook of Grand Teton National Park and the greater Jackson area. This is the bypass to the Snake River Canyon landslide and offers views looking down on the valley rather than up at the mountains as in the Snake River Canyon. The grades are steep but the view is breathtaking. The extra travel time is well worth it!

If you are ascending Teton Pass from the Jackson side you will be able to see the National Elk Refuge, the Town of Wilson, Jackson Hole, the Snake River, Blacktail Butte, Sleeping Indian and most of Grand Teton National Park. Descending Teton Pass westbound, you will be treated with views of eastern Idaho and pristine mountain scenery. This route extends through Victor, Idaho and then through Swan Valley on highway 31. At the junction in Swan Valley, don't forget to pick up some square ice cream at the only gas station on the junction corner.

From this point you will parallel the Snake River as it exits Palisades Reservoir. After passing the dam, you will have a view of the reservoir to the south and the effluent of Snake River Canyon. This is below the slide. The water entering the reservoir will remain muddy for several weeks until the slide stops moving.

Making the best of a landslide disaster may be better than having immediate access to the Snake River. Most visitors to the Tetons never see the beauty of the Tetons overlooking the valley below.

Whitewater in the 2011 season may be better than at any time in recent history due to the high runoff and snow pack of Yellowstone and Snake River tributaries. Rafters will not want to miss this season! The extra hour around the slide is a bonus for big water like this!

After all, you don't go on vacation just to rush from point A to point B. Half the fun of vacation is getting there