Wading River Wildlife Management Area

Ecology and Management

Wading River Wildlife Management Area is a 159 acre state-owned parcel in Bass River Township, Burlington County, New Jersey. Two small impoundments occur in a restricted-use area of the WMA. They were restored in 2005-2007 with the help of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited, including the removal of an extensive growth of invasive phragmites. Water levels are currently managed primarily for waterfowl, but also for shorebirds and wading birds (NJDEP 2016). A primary focus of the impoundments is to provide duck hunting experiences to youth facilitated by mentors from Ducks Unlimited and the New Jersey Waterfowler’s Association. No data on bird abundance exist for the site.

Vulnerability

The impoundments are embedded within a tidal wetland on the Wading River. They likely gain some protection from the marsh and the fact that they are far from the mouth of the river. The overtopping or breaching history of the impoundments is unknown.

Human Value

The impoundments are not open to the general public, but they do provide special mentored youth hunting opportunities at various times during the year (see above).

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Dave Golden, Pete Winkler, and Jason Hearon (NJDEP DFW) for providing information used on this page.

Literature Resources