[2] It was established in 1969 to help mitigate habitat lose due to the flooding that occurred following the construction of the John Day Dam.

The refuge is a varied mix of open water, sloughs, shallow marsh, seasonal wetlands, cropland, islands, and shrub-steppe upland habitats.

The scarcity of wetlands and other natural habitats in this area make Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge vital to migrating waterfowl, bald eagles, colonial nesting birds, and other migratory and resident wildlife.

It is strategically located within the Pacific Flyway to provide Arctic nesting geese and ducks a wintering site and a resting stopover.

This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.