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NATURAL
RESOURCES & GEOGRAPHY
Located in south central Idaho, Camas County boasts
1071 square miles of geographic diversity. Let uss
take a peek at just a few of the highlights-
Spanning the center of the county from east to west is
the Camas Prairie - a high plateau valley with an average elevation of 5000
feet. Approximately 125,000 acres of the prairie are devoted to crops and
pasture. Antelope, deer and other wildlife freely roam the prairie. And,
tucked against the Bennett Hills on the west end of the county (14 miles
west of Fairfield) is the Centennial Marsh - home to numerous bird species
and a popular attraction for birdwatchers. In mid-to late spring, the marsh
and many other parts of the prairie become a bluish purple sea of Camas
Lilies.
 Surrounded on all sides by mountainous terrain, an
ancient lake bed in southcentral Idaho has undergone a geologic
transformation, existing now as a high prairie community. A small creek,
fed seasonally by spring runoff, inundates the surrounding land, creating a
unique marsh habitat. A portion of this area was set aside for wildlife in
1987, when Ducks Unlimited, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) and
The Nature Conservancy combined efforts to purchase 360 acres. Additional
purchases soon followed, and today, Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) covers just over 3100 acres, providing a sanctuary for
waterfowl, shorebirds and a host of other wildlife.
The variety of waterfowl and shorebirds attracted to
Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh WMA in turn attracts wildlife watchers.
Springtime normally provides the best viewing opportunities, when water
levels are high and migrating bird species plentiful. Because so many birds
move through the area, plan to visit for a day or two; you may be surprised
at the species variety that waits. While waterfowl and shorebirds often use
that portion of Centennial Marsh immediately adjacent to the road, human
disturbance may push the birds into the marsh interior. Bring a spotting
scope or binoculars to improve viewing opportunities.
Seasonally-high water levels result in a habitat
setting unique to the intermountain area. Centennial Marsh is comprised
primarily of sedges, juncos and camas, while water-loving silver sagebrush
neatly delineates the marsh's high water line. Upland areas of Camas
Prairie are comprised of basin big sagebrush, rabbit brush, and bitterbrush
and Great Basin wild rye.
During certain spring seasons, the abundant camas lily
blooms and Camas Prairie Centennial Marsh WMA erupts in a sea of cobalt blue
flowers visible for miles. One of nature's grandest spectacles, the camas
flower bloom normally peaks in late-May if marsh water levels are
sufficient. |
