Near the mouth of the Columbia River in Clatsop County, Oregon, this estuarine refuge protects habitat for migratory birds, fish, and marine mammals where the river meets the Pacific. It serves as an especially important wintering and resting area for waterfowl, including about 1,000 tundra swans, 5,000 geese, and 30,000 ducks, while shorebirds and bald eagles also rely on the area. The estuary is a vital nursery for juvenile salmon as they adjust to salt water before entering the ocean. Its islands, tidal flats, and waters also support many other fish and animals, from harbor seals and sea lions to beaver, otter, deer, and nutria.