August 2009 - Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

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K E N T U C K Y F I S H & W I L D L I F E C O M M I S S I O N E R ’ S N E W S L E T T E R
Dix River WMA showcases
wetland restoration
Wherever possible, wildlife biologists
try to create wetlands – in particular,
shallow water areas – for wildlife.
Wetlands are among the most productive
biological systems on the planet. They not
only provide habitat for a fantastic diversity
of wildlife, but they also filter sediment
and chemicals from water, reduce the impacts
of flooding and drought, and support
billions of dollars in recreational activities.
Unfortunately, about 80% of Kentucky’s
wetlands have been destroyed or
significantly impaired. However, KDF-
WR is working with a variety of partners
and sources of funds to restore and create
wetlands and recover their many benefits.
Dix River WMA in Lincoln County
is a showcase of wetland restoration. Since
KDFWR acquired the 401 acres, it has
pursued creating as much shallow water
on this area as possible.
Brian Gray, a public lands biologist
in the Southeast Region, says the entire
See “Dix,” page 11
A wetland
impoundment
created by
construction of a
levee (low dam)
and removal of
drainage tiles.
Brian Clark photos
Bottomland hardwood trees such as pin
oak, bur oak, swamp white oak, pecan
and shellbark hickory are planted in
some wetland projects to enhance the
wildlife and water quality benefits.
Water control structures are devices installed
in the drainage pipe of levees to allow
biologists to capture water then drain it over
time to provide shallow water and promote
beneficial plants. Here, Brian Gray removes
one of the “boards” covering the drainage
pipe’s opening to allow some of the water
to drain out of an impoundment and allow
summer plant growth.
Brian surveys a sinkhole discovered in a wetland
impoundment on the Dix River WMA. Sinkholes
appear on wetland projects, where sections of
drainage tiles lie beneath the surface and the soil
erodes around them.