The Wyoming Game and Fish Department announced a planned drawdown of water levels at Blue Heron Reservoir within the South Park Wildlife Habitat Management Area located approximately five miles south of Jackson, Wyoming. The initiative, scheduled for spring, aims to enhance habitat quality for waterfowl and shorebirds by mimicking natural wetland cycles. The drawdown will lower and maintain reduced water levels throughout the spring migration period, promoting the growth of emergent vegetation critical for wildlife. While significantly reduced, the reservoir will not dry out completely due to its continuous water flow design, with levels set to be restored in late spring to early summer.
The South Park WHMA, encompassing 832 acres of river bottom habitat along the Snake River and Flat Creek, is currently closed to all human presence under winter wildlife restrictions to protect species like elk, mule deer, and moose. The area will reopen to the public on May 1, 2025, at 6 a.m., offering opportunities for wildlife viewing, waterfowl hunting, and fishing for whitefish and trout. Visitors are reminded to carry bear spray, as the WHMA lies within bear country. For additional details, contact the Jackson Regional Office at 307-733-2321 or visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s website.
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