Watercress Darter National Wildlife Refuge in Bessemer, Alabama, is a 25-acre refuge established to protect the endangered watercress darter. Its most important feature is Thomas Spring, a pond of about a quarter acre that is central to the fish’s survival, and a second pond was added in 1983 to strengthen that protection. Located in Jefferson County, the refuge is unstaffed and administered from Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge in Anniston. Its purpose is conservation, but it allows limited public access for hiking and wildlife photography. Fishing is prohibited to safeguard the species.