Alabama Waterfowl Association, Inc. (AWA)

Alabama Wetlands Compensatory Mitigation Site

Ed Hembree Wildlife Management Area (EHWMA)


* Mud Creek is a heavily impacted watershed which is on the State of Alabama's "303d" list of impaired waters. This means that the water is polluted to such a degree that it does not meet certain water quality criteria for intended uses. 

* Mud Creek is also currently one of only two watersheds adjacent to Guntersville Reservoir rated "poor" by TVA's Resource Stewardship program for low water quality conditions. 

* The water quality problems are low amounts of dissolved oxygen and excessive sedimentation due to non-point source runoff related to land uses in the watershed. 

* Removing the land from agricultural production and restoring wetland and upland habitat will eliminate agricultural run-off and improve water quality conditions in Mud Creek.

* Wetlands act as "natures kidney" by filtering and holding sediment and excess nutrients (e.g. waste from cattle, dirt washed off fields during rain, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides); this results in improved water quality in Mud Creek and ultimately in the Tennessee River itself.

* Restoring wetlands and uplands on the property will have the added benefit of increasing wildlife and waterfowl habitat in the area.

Breached levee allowed Mud Creek to exchange during flood stage December 12th, 2001; this flooded the forested wetlands at the EHWMA and mitigation site. 
After Mud Creek flooded the breached levee fills forested wetlands at the EHWMA and mitigation site
Canada geese, snowy egrets and other moist soil dependant wildlife enjoying the habitat at the EHWMA
Mitigation Banking Review Team. Included are representatives from Corps of Engineers, ADCNR, ADEM, EPA, and USFWS in an onsite meeting May 25, 2000 with landowner Mr. Ed Hembree, and AWA representatives Jerry Davis and Roy Sanderson.

Alabama Waterfowl Association, Inc.  (AWA)
1346 County Road # 11
Scottsboro, Alabama 35768

[email protected]