Purpose: To acquire 1,093 acres of bottomland hardwood habitat adjoining Big Lake Bottom WMA. The acquisition sites are part of the largest contiguous block of bottomland hardwoods remaining on the upper reaches of the Trinity River, an area that has been largely cleared for agriculture. The site contains a high percentage of older-age timber dominated by overcup and water oak, with associated hackberry, water elm, shagbark hickory, and maple. Annual overbank flooding of the Trinity River provides excellent wintering and migration habitat for several waterfowl species, most notably mallards and wood ducks (which also breed in the area). This project is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to maintain high quality forested wetlands habitat for wintering waterfowl, while providing additional hunting opportunities.

Big Lake Habitat

Location: Approx. 12 miles southwest of Palestine, TX (Anderson County)

Acres Impacted: 1,093 acres

Habitat Type: Forested Wetlands / Bottomland Hardwoods

Partners: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
North American Wetlands Conservation Act
Ducks Unlimited, Inc

Timeline: Acquisition was completed in summer 2000


 

 

DU Contact:

Keith McKnight
Regional Biologist
1620 FM 2218
Richmond, TX 77469
(832) 595-0663
kmcknight@ducks.org