Wildlife Diversity Program Quarterly Report for January–March 2026
Collaboration Makes It Possible – Restoration of Wells Island
by Carmen Johnson, Waterbird Biologist, and Sean Devine, Waterbird Technician
I n March 2026, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Gator Dredging completed a dredging project near Wanchese that went beyond keeping a navigation channel open—it also restored important waterbird nesting habitat. Fishermen and recreational boaters will be familiar with the often-shallow conditions that can rapidly change in the area. As the Corps planned for the maintenance of a section of Old House Channel, they wanted to find a beneficial use for the material that would be removed from the navigation channel, rather than simply placing it offshore. NCWRC and USACE have worked together for decades to find mutually beneficial ways to keep waterways navigable while suppling sand for beaches and other islands, including those protected for nest- ing waterbirds. NCWRC owns and manages a number of islands along the coast for the conservation of nesting waterbirds. One island, known as Wells Island and located near the proposed project area, had experienced considerable erosion in recent years. Following suggestions that it would make an ideal site to place the dredged material, USACE and NCWRC staff worked together to design an island that would meet the habitat needs of the birds while also reducing erosion. The material, which would have otherwise been discarded, has created an expanse of open, sandy habitat ideal for many species of nesting water- birds. The dredged material was piped to the island, where temporary berms allowed it to accumulate in the planned area. Bulldozers were then used to smooth out and shape the newly deposited material. With development showing no sign of slowing down on the coast, and the need for waterbirds to have access to habitat free of disturbance where they can nest, partnerships such as this are critical for ensuring the future of these birds in the state. During a site visit the week after work was completed, NCWRC staff were happy to discover a pair of American Oystercatchers and group of terns exploring the newly created habitat
CARMEN JOHNSON/NCWRC
SEAN DEVINE/NCWRC
SEAN DEVINE/NCWRC
Top: Staff from Gator Dredging and the US Army Corps of Engineers celebrate the restoration of Wells Island. Middle: Dredge material is deposited onto Wells Island. Bottom: Pipes transport material from the dredge to the island.
continued on next page
7
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online