Purpose: To restore 377 acres of freshwater wetlands habitat on Altamaha WMA through installation of water control structures and rehabilitation of dikes. The Champney Island impoundment consists of 4 management cells and is currently managed under a 2-year rotational system of agricultural plantings followed by summer drawdowns for moist-soil plant production. Extensive flooding in coastal Georgia caused damage to several impoundments. Saturation of the dikes and subsequent recession of floodwaters caused several breaks along the perimeter dikes and at several water control structures. Repair of the structures and dikes was necessary to maintain management on the WMA. This project will retain water in fall and winter, thus providing valuable foraging habitat to migrating and wintering waterfowl near the Altamaha River and will be managed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to provide public hunting opportunities.

Champney Island Impoundment

Location: Approx. 2 miles south of Darien, GA (McIntosh County)

Acres Impacted: 377 acres

Habitat Type: Moist-soil Wetlands
Flooded Agricultural Crops

Partners: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Ducks Unlimited, Inc

Timeline: Construction was completed in fall 1995