Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is a 28-mile long river valley with three natural lakes. The northern boundary of the Refuge is Saskatchewan, Canada. The Refuge was established in the 1930s "dust bowl era" and original Refuge facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to benefit waterfowl production and protection. <P>"Des Lacs" is French for "of the lakes." Early trappers originally called this area "Riviere des Lacs," literally, "River of the Lakes," which aptly describes its prominent features. Uplands include gently rolling Drift Plains to steep slopes that drop 50-125 feet to the river valley, with numerous wooded draws and coulees that drain the Drift Plain. The upland vegetation is characterized as mid-grass prairie. <P>Des Lacs NWR is well known for spectacular snow goose populations of 200,000 to 300,000 geese in the fall. The local community of Kenmare hosts the annual "Goosefest" in October in celebration of the fall migration. <P>