Reservoirs and Impoundments

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The 2015 North Carolina Wildlife Action Plan defines 41 priority habitats for the state. More information about this habitat can be found in Section 4.2.13.

Habitat Priorities

Surveys

  • Determine the status and distribution of reservoir-associated birds (e.g., ospreys, herons, swallows, possibly rails) and help identify threats to populations. (Surveys Priority)
  • Survey for shorebird migration activity on large reservoirs (e.g., Falls Lake, Kerr Lake) in spring, summer and fall. (Surveys Priority)
  • Conduct frog call surveys and support the volunteer and citizen science programs that participate in these surveys. (Surveys Priority)

Monitoring

  • Continue monitoring Bald Eagle breeding activity.
  • Conduct monitoring for waterbirds and rails to help determine population trends.
  • Monitor Pond Turtles and Common Ribbonsnakes to track population trends.

Research

  • Track and identify problems associated with avian vacuolar myelinopathy that cause mortality in American Coots, other waterfowl and Bald Eagles (Augspurger et al. 2003).
  • Assess the impacts of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission-mandated changes in water releases at hydroelectric dams on priority species.
  • Study the impacts of commercial collecting of turtles on population dynamics, and the impact that the 2003 turtle law may have on the trade. This 2003 Session Law amended General Statute 113-333(a) to limit possession and commercial taking of certain amphibian and reptile species when NCWRC determined the species requires conservation measures to prevent addition of the species to the protected animal lists. Section 3.1.1 provides additional information about General Statutes in North Carolina.

Management Practices

  • Maintain natural shoreline vegetation and the structure of adjacent terrestrial habitats if possible (many wetland-related amphibian and reptile species rely on both aquatic and drier upland sites for their life history and seasonal migrations).
  • Retain or create snags, logs, rocks, and other structures used by basking reptiles.
  • Reduce disturbance and development along raceways and near Bald Eagle nest trees.
  • Identify invasive and exotic species, their impacts on native wildlife, and practical methods for removal or control.
  • Plant native vegetation where appropriate to provide aquatic and terrestrial habitatand to reduce erosion and sedimentation.

Conservation Programs and Partnerships