Eufaula NWR

Overview/ Update

In continuation of our efforts to improve waterfowl habitat on Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, Ducks Unlimited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently completed a project to restore 117 acres of wetlands within the Alabama portion of the refuge. The purchase and installation of two water control structures on the Single Tree and Upland Impoundments will improve water management capabilities on the Houston Bottom Unit of the refuge, thus promoting wintering habitat for waterfowl and other waterbirds including sandhill and whooping cranes. These impoundments winter approximately 16,000 waterfowl a year, making them important for waterfowl and hunters alike. DU's contribution included $25,000 toward the purchase and installation of the structures. Completion of the Houston Bottom project allows FWS personnel to effectively manipulate water levels within each impoundment to encourage moist-soil vegetation and provide brood rearing habitat for resident wood ducks. In some years, agricultural crops will be grown to provide additional foraging opportunities for migrating waterfowl. DU has previously conducted projects to improve habitat on the Kennedy Unit in Barbour County, Alabama, and on the Bradley Unit within the Georgia portion of the refuge.
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge is an 11,184 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in Barbour and Russell counties in Alabama and Stewart and Quitman counties in Georgia. Its boundary spans both banks of the Chattahoochee River in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia. The refuge offers a variety of wetland and upland habitats for diverse fauna. Eufaula NWR's primary purpose is to provide habitat for wintering waterfowl, other migratory birds and resident species.

Eufaula NWR
Kennedy Unit

Purpose: To restore 450 acres of moist-soil habitat on Eufaula NWR through installation of permanent inlet pumping station complete with a 24-inch pump and engine. In addition, this project involves rehabilitation of existing levees to permit more active management for moist-soil vegetation. This project will provide a reliable source of water during years of dry habitat conditions. Mallards, wood ducks, gadwall, and green-winged teal will be the primary waterfowl species that will benefit from the project. The NWR would be managed by the USFWS to maintain high quality moist-soil habitat for waterfowl and other water bird species, while providing waterfowl hunting opportunities.

Location: Approx. 5 miles north of Eufaula, AL (Russell County)

Acres Impacted: 450 acres

Habitat Type: Moist-soil Vegetation

Partners: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Ducks Unlimited, Inc

Timeline: Construction was completed in fall 2007

DU Contact: Chris Cole
Director of Conservation Programs, Alabama
193 Business Park Drive, Suite E
Ridgeland, MS 39157
(601) 206-5446
ccole@ducks.org