Purpose: To enhance 180 acres of forested wetlands on Horse Creek WMA through installation of two water control structures and raising two existing forest roads to serve as dikes. This project will create two waterfowl impoundments that enhance management capabilities within the Ocmulgee River floodplain. The site consists of bottomland hardwood trees including tupelo gum, water oak, and other mast producing species. This project will be managed by the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources to provide brood rearing habitat for resident wood ducks, as well as, increased foraging habitat for migrating and wintering dabbling ducks. Horse Creek WMA offers public waterfowl hunting opportunities.

Phase II -This project will provide shallow feeding habitat in flooded hardwoods for wintering waterfowl at Horse Creek WMA. The project is located on Coffee Branch in the Ocmulgee River flood plain and is adjacent to a Phase I project. Water-level management capabilities were improved by constructing a dike along an existing roadbed and installing a flashboard riser water control structure. Species that may benefit from this project include wood ducks, mallards, green-winged teal, blue-winged teal and several species of wading birds including wood storks. The Georgia DNR will manage this area primarily for migrating and wintering waterfowl habitat and for breeding wood duck habitat

Location: Approx. 7 miles east of Jacksonville, GA (Telfair County)

Acres Impacted: Phase I - 180 acres
Phase II - 27 acres

Habitat Type: Green-tree Reservoir
Bottomland Hardwoods

Partners:
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Ducks Unlimited, Inc

Timeline: Phase I - Construction was completed in 1996
Phase II - Complete in December 2005

DU Contact: Craig LeSchack
Director of Conservation Programs - Georgia
3294 Ashley Phosphate Rd, Suite 1-F
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 745-9110
cleschack@ducks.org