The Androscoggin Headwaters Wildland's special places include Lake Umbagog, which received strong local and regional support for designation as a National Wildlife Refuge, as well as four other lakes rated 1A by the Maine Lakes Study. Many of the area's rivers are highly rated for natural recreational resources, including wildlife habitat, critical ecological values, undeveloped character, and inland fisheries, by both Maine and New Hampshire state river studies. 

Mahoosuc Mts.

 The Maine Rivers study also gave the Magalloway River high ratings for both ecological significance and undeveloped character. The Wildland is noted for its productive habitat, wide variety of plants and animals, and populations of uncommon and rare species.

Approximate Acreage: 540,000 acres

Location:
  The Androscoggin Headwaters Wildland straddles the Maine and New Hampshire border, from the Mahoosuc Mountains to Canada.

Lakes:
Umbagog
Mooselookmeguntic
Upper and Lower Richardson
Cupsuptic
Aziscohos

Rivers & Watersheds:
Headwaters of the Androscoggin River
Dead Diamond River
Swift Diamond River
Magalloway River
Rapid River

Mountains:
Old Speck Mountain
Mahoosuc Mountain
Baldpate Mountain

Communities:
• Habitat for 29 species of rare plants
Several old growth stands
• Alpine species on the higher summits of the Mahoosucs

Habitat and Animal Life:
• Outstanding array of wetland, river and upland wildlife habitat
• Habitat for bald and potentially golden eagles, peregrine falcons, osprey, loons, northern harriers, great blue herons, Canada geese and numerous other waterfowl species
• Bear, moose, pine marten and deer habitats

Outstanding Recreation:
• Lake boating and fishing
• Multi-day canoe camping trips
• Nationally recognized whitewater boating on the Rapid River
• More than 60 miles of the Appalachian Trail

Protected Lands:
• Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge
• Umbagog State Park
• Conservation easements on the 13 Mile Woods section of the Androscoggin River
• Big Island State Forest
• Maine Public Reserve Land in the Mahoosuc Range and along the Richardson Lakes and Mooselookmeguntic Lake
• Grafton Notch State Park

Existing Development:
•  Limited rural development along the existing Route 16 corridor and portions of the shorelines of the large lakes
• Almost no development north of the lakes nor on the majority of the land around the lakes, which is used primarily for timber production
• Essentially no permanent population in the watershed of the Swift and Dead Diamond Rivers, making it unique to the state of New Hampshire

Current Conservation Opportunities:
•  Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge is part of a comprehensive, cooperative protection and management effort to conserve wildlife habitat, wetlands and timber resources along the northern Maine/New Hampshire border. 3,000 acres are currently waiting to be added to the Refuge. Continued land conservation benefits wetland-dependent migratory waterfowl species.

Mahoosuc Mountain

Current Action Step Regarding the Wildland:
• This year there is an opportunity to add 3,000 acres to the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge. Please write your members of Congress to support a $3 million Land and Water Conservation Fund request for the Lake Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge.