Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Site Description
- State: Virginia
- County: Accomack
- Ownership: Federal
Impoundments
- Black Duck Pool (A pool)
- Farm Fields Pool
- Gadwall Pool (E pool)
- Mallard Pool (C pool)
- North Wash Flats
- Old Fields
- Pintail Pool (D pool)
- Ragged Point
- Shoveler Pool (B-North pool)
- Snow Goose Pool (B-South pool)
- South Wash Flats
- Sow Pond
- Swan Cove Pool (F-Pool)
Ecology and Management

Birds feeding off Swan’s Cove Trail at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Emma Kerr/USFWS
To support the wide array of bird species found at the Refuge, impoundment water levels are closely managed to provide adequate food, in the form of vegetation (seed or roots) and/or aquatic invertebrates, fresh water, and loafing areas. However, all Refuge impoundment management strategies depend entirely on precipitation as their sole source of freshwater for the generation of fresh/brackish water plants, and gravity or evaporation for drawdown. Both mechanisms limit management capabilities. Tidal cycles and strong coastal storm events, especially nor’easters and hurricanes, further challenge the attainment of management goals for impoundments. Non-native Phragmites also poses a management challenge.
Vulnerability
Chincoteague’s impoundments are located between mean high and spring high tide and abut upland areas as well as fresh or brackish marshes not affected by tides. Because the impoundments generally are located above the high tide level, estuarine water cannot enter them. However, tidal influx can occur through the Virginia Creek water control structure (WCS) into Old Fields Impoundment. During severe weather and extreme high tides, overwash reaches impoundments from the sea and Bay side; Black Duck (A) Pool, Snow Goose (B-South) Pool, Shoveler (B-North) Pool, Mallard (C) Pool, Pintail (D) Pool, Swan Cove (F) Pool, Wash Flats, and Old Fields impoundments are most susceptible. As noted previously, because the impoundments depend on precipitation for freshwater inputs, tidal cycles and strong coastal storm events, especially nor’easters and hurricanes, challenge the attainment of management goals for impoundments. Additionally, as sea level continues to rise and more frequent overwash events occur, the Refuge expects damage to dikes and other impoundment infrastructure. Maintaining water depths at desirable levels may also become more difficult.
Human Value
Chincoteague NWR provides significant recreation and education opportunities for visitors. Specifically, the impoundments concentrate large flocks of birds, providing wildlife viewing, and opportunities for photography, education, and interpretation. In 2010, approximately 1.4 million people visited the Refuge. In terms of education, the Refuge offers a wide range of programming, including day camps to family programs, and undergraduate and graduate research opportunities. The Refuge also works with local K to 12 schools, communities, and educational organizations to provide classroom and hands-on programs both on and off the refuge for youth. Teacher workshops and Teacher Guided Learning Opportunities are also available.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Kevin Holcomb, USFWS Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, for providing helpful information used on this page.
Literature Resources
- Carson, Rachel. Chincoteague: A National Wildlife Refuge. Washington, D. C.: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 1947.
- Conroy, M. J., G. R. Costanzo, and D. B. Stotts. 1989. Winter survival of female American black ducks on the Atlantic coast. The Journal of Wildlife Management 53:99-109.
- Green, A., J. Lyons, M. Runge, W. Kendall, H. Laskowski, S. Lor, and S. Guiteras. Timing of impoundment drawdowns and impact on waterbird, invertebrate, and vegetation communities within managed wetlands, Study manual – Final version field season 2007. Laurel, Maryland: USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center; 2007.
- Green, A. W., W. L. Kendall, H. P. Laskowski, J. E. Lyons, L. Socheata, and M. C. Runge. Draft version of the USFWS R3/R5 Regional Impoundment Study. Washington, D. C.: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2008.
- Hinke-Sacilotto, I. 2005. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge: An Ecological Treasure. Big Earth Publishing, Boulder, Colorado.
- IWMM [Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring Project]. Project Update – October 2010. http://iwmmprogram.ning.com/: Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring Project; 2010.
- Morton, J. M., R. L. Kirkpatrick, and M. R. Vaughan. 1990. Changes in body composition of American black ducks wintering at Chincoteague, Virginia. Condor 92:598-605.
- Schulte, S., and S. Chan. A Plan for Monitoring Shorebirds During the Non-breeding Season in Bird Monitoring Region Virginia – BCR 30 and 27. Manomet, Massachusetts: Manomet Center for Conservation Science; 2008.
- USFWS [United States Fish and Wildlife Service]. Chincoteague and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuges Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. Hadley, Massachusetts: U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 2006.