Welcome to the Feeder Road Trail at INWR. Right now you are standing by a long, man-made body of water called the Feeder Canal. Workers using only hand shovels and wheelbarrows dug the feeder canal between the years of 1823 and 1825. Its main purpose at that time was to serve as an extra water supply to the Erie Canal by diverting water from Tonawanda Creek to Oak Orchard Creek. As it was dug, the spoil was piled up next to the canal to create a road, which we now know as Feeder Road. Once built, this road served as the main route from Akron to Medina, until Route 77 was constructed and took its place. The Feeder Canal no longer plays a role in the Erie Canal system, and it is now a part of the Mohawk Pool that you can see just past the thin tree line to the right of the canal.

As you go along the trail, watch for other “Guide by Cell” signs posted at various locations. They will help you to interpret the surrounding habitat. Please keep in mind that if you are listening to this tour from October 1st to February 29th, you can walk down the side trails off this road. However, please do not go into the wetlands, as it can be dangerous to you and it may disturb the natural ecosystems. If you are listening to this tour from March 1st to September 30th, you can walk and bike on the Feeder Road, however you may not go off of it, so that breeding birds remain undisturbed. If you have any questions about these restrictions or anything else during your visit, please feel free to stop at the refuge headquarters on Casey Road. This audio tour is brought to you by the Friends of Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. Contributions to future Friends of Iroquois endeavors would be greatly appreciated and can be made at the refuge headquarters. Just look for the donation box provided by the Friends at Headquarters. Thank you for your support!