Altamaha WMA
Rhetts Island Restoration

Purpose: The Darien River has eroded an existing portion of the levee due to a natural change in the river’s hydrology. This project will rebuild a segment of levee inside the existing levee and install three new water control structures. Restoration of 1,845 acres on Rhetts Island will ensure future management capability for wintering and migratory waterfowl, along with other wetland-dependent bird species. Current management focuses on brackish marsh habitat, specifically the production of wigeongrass and five species of bulrush. 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.

Location: Approx. 1 mile south of Darien, GA (McIntosh County)

Acres Impacted: 1,845 acres

Habitat Type: Brackish Marsh

Partners: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Ducks Unlimited, Inc

Timeline: Construction was completed in fall 1995
Repairs were completed fall 2003

DU Contact: Craig LeSchack
Director of Conservation Programs – Georgia
3896 Leeds Avenue
Charleston, SC  29405
(843) 745-9110
cleschack@ducks.org