Found along the Potomac River on the Mason Neck Peninsula, about 18 miles south of the District of Columbia Washington. The MNNWR is home to a diverse population that includes seven species of reptiles, four species of lizards, five species of salamanders, seven species of frogs, one species of toad, and twelve species of snakes (Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, n.d.). The refuge's three hiking trails provide refuge for white-tailed deer, eastern gray squirrel, red fox and wild turkey. Although there are many ponds in the MNNWR, our study focuses on three: Woodmarsh, Highpoint II, and Anchorage constructed. Woodmarsh is located N 38o 38' 52'' and W 77o 09' 55''; The highest point II is located N 38o 39' 08'' and W 77o 09' 45''; and the constructed anchorage is located N 38o 37' 22'' and W 77o 11' 16''. A portion of the MNNWR, 115,335 acres wide, is known as the Great Swamp. The wild rice found in this humid habitat is suitable for waterfowl, marsh wrens, green herons and waterfowl.