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Closure Alerts - Hurricane Helene & Milton
Last updated 10/21/24 12:43 am
WMA & PFA Closures and Changes
Wildlife Management Areas:
- Dawson Forest WMA - City of Atlanta Tract - Shoal Creek Bridge is closed (due to structural issues). However, the rest of the WMA is open.
- Grand Bay WMA - The WMA is open. The boardwalk, Education Center and access to those facilities will remain closed until hazardous trees are removed and structures repaired. The roads accessing the check station and the main portion of the state-owned section of Grand Bay WMA have been cleared. Users should use caution when in the woods as hazardous trees may still exist. The federal side of Grand Bay is currently part of an ongoing training exercise and will not be opened for at least several weeks.
For closure info re: WMAs on USDA Forest Service land (see following list), visit the USDA Forest Service website at fs.usda.gov/main/conf/: Blue Ridge, Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Cohutta, Coopers Creek, Johns Mountain, Lake Russell, Rich Mountain, Swallow Creek, Warwoman
Public Fishing Areas:
- Hugh M. Gillis PFA- The area is open, but due to damages from Helene, the nature trail, primitive campground and bathrooms are closed.
- McDuffie PFA- The PFA is open to anglers. Bathrooms closed but port-a-potties available. The campground remains closed (and is expected to remain closed for renovation through mid-2025). Debris removal will continue as needed.
Boat Ramps
- Lock and Dam Ramp (Baurle boat ramp-Augusta-Richmond Co) will be closed as of 6pm (9/26/24)
- Sandy Hammock on Ocmulgee River (Pulaski County) (The entrance road is flooded)
- Scuffle Bluff Landing at Horse Creek WMA (Telfair Co.-Ocmulgee River).
- Shady Field Landing on Oconee River (tree down across entrance road) (Laurens County)
- Tuckahoe WMA Boat Ramp Possum Eddy is flooded and not accessible (Screven County / Savannah River)
- Rocky Hammock (Ocmulgee River/Jeff Davis County): Access road blocked by fallen trees.
- Barr's Bluff (Ocmulgee River/Coffee County): Access road blocked by fallen trees.
- Ochise Landing (Ocmuglee River/Telfair County): Flooded
- Bell's Ferry Boat Ramp (Oconee River/Montgomery County): Numerous trees down in parking area.
Last updated 10/21/24 12:03 am
WMA, PFA, & Hatchery Closures
Region 1
For road closures on U.S. Forest Service properties, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/ for the most current information. Review the gate openings and hunting season information for the 24-25 hunting season.
*Please note that the stream near Holly Creek Bridge is undergoing maintenance but should have minimal impact on traffic.
To see Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest weather-affected closures, visit the USFS alerts page.
Charles B Henson VPA
Updated 6/20/24
Effective immediately, Charles B. Henson VPA will no longer be enrolled in the Voluntary Public Access program. As of 6/20/2024, the property is no longer available for public access.
Region 2
For road closures on U.S. Forest Service properties (Blue Ridge, Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Cooper's Creek, Lake Russell, Redlands, Swallow Creek, and Warwoman), please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/conf/ for the most current information.
Dawson Forest WMA
Updated 9/30/24
Dawson Forest WMA - City of Atlanta Tract - Shoal Creek Bridge is closed (due to structural issues). However, the rest of the WMA is open.
Posted 10/14/2024
Dawson Forest WMA: "Edge of the World" parking lot closed to the public Wed. Oct. 16 for a special event. Will re-open Oct. 17.
Region 3
Cybel WMA/Marben PFA
Updated 10/16/23
Lake Margery at Marben PFA is currently closed to all access (fishing/boating). The lake has been drained for maintenance. When complete, the lake will be allowed to refill. Once water is at appropriate levels, fish stockings can occur. Potential re-opening date for this lake is Spring 2025.
Region 6
Altamaha WMA
Updated 9/16/21
The job of repairing Hurricane Irma damages to the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area (located on the Altamaha Wildlife Management Area) continues. Waterfowl hunters planning to hunt this area should take note of repairs and conditions to help prevent unwanted surprises and frustrations.
Updated 1/17/24
The Road to McGowan Lake tract is closed due to rising river level. It will remain closed until the river recedes.
Grand Bay WMA
Updated 7/9/21
Due to military training needs on the federally owned portion (Highway 221 tract) of Grand Bay WMA, that section will be closed to public access periodically.
The automatic gate to the Grand Bay WMA boardwalk and lookout tower is open from 6 a.m.–8 p.m. daily and during classes at the Education Center. Anyone in that area after 8 p.m. may be locked in and is subject to being ticketed by the GADNR Law Enforcement Division.
Little Satilla WMA
Updated 8/9/24
As of Aug. 1, 2024, the southwestern border of the Little Satilla Wildlife Management Area (WMA) has changed. The landowner has removed approximately 1,109 acres in Pierce County along the Little Satilla River from the WMA agreement with the state. This change takes place near GA Highway 32, Lilac Rd, and Knight Rd. Gates have been installed at the boundary lines and off-property roads have been removed from the online map. See the online map for updated WMA boundary lines.
Sapelo Island WMA
Updated 10/21/24
Primitive Weapons Quota Hunt Canceled: The primitive weapons quota deer hunt at Sapelo Island WMA listed to take place Oct. 25-26, 2024, has been canceled due to the ongoing investigation into a gangway collapse resulting in seven fatalities at the Marsh Island Dock. We apologize for this cancellation. However, hunters will receive their wagered priority points BACK, plus 1, when a hunt is cancelled by DNR. Questions? Call the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division Game Management Office at 706-557-3350.
Townsend WMA
Updated 1/17/24
Roads accessing portions of Townsend WMA may be flooded by the Altamaha River during times of high water. WMA users should use caution and make appropriate plans anytime the Altamaha River level at the Doctortown gauge is above 7ft. Check the National Weather Service for up to date levels.
Education Centers
Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center
Updated 10/16/23
Lake Margery at Marben PFA is currently closed to all access (fishing/boating). The lake has been drained for maintenance. When complete, the lake will be allowed to refill. Once water is at appropriate levels, fish stockings can occur. Potential re-opening date for this lake is Fall 2024.
McDuffie Environmental Education Center
Updated 9/30/24
Due to recovery efforts post Hurricane Helene, the McDuffie Environmental Education Center will not be open for field trips through the end of October 2024. The Center will be available for school outreach programs. If interested, please contact Kimberly Clements to make a reservation or for more information. Note that the Center has limited internet and cell service, we will get back with you as soon as possible!
Shooting & Archery Ranges
Boat Ramps
If designated parking areas on boat ramps, shooting ranges, trail heads or similar areas are full, the area has reached capacity. Do not park outside designated spaces. Do not park in any area not designated for legal parking. Normal rules for parking on WMAs apply—see hunting regulations on page 41.
**Contact region offices should you want to check ramp conditions ahead of time.
Closures
Pearl Mill Ramp at Lake Richard B. Russell (Elbert County)
Posted 10/16/2024
Effective immediately, Pearl Mill Ramp is closed. The parking area is being renovated. The project is expected to take 2 weeks. Boaters and anglers may access the lake at nearby Shuck Pen Eddy boat ramp or the Elbert County boat ramp.
Brewton’s Bridge Landing on the Canoochee River (Evans County)
Posted 8/22/24
Effective immediately, Brewton’s Bridge Landing on the Canoochee River, located adjacent to the State Road 169 Bridge, is temporarily closed. Closure is due to recent storm-related flooding that impacted the parking lot, creating hazardous conditions. A reopening date has not yet been determined. If needed, anglers and boaters can access the Canoochee River downstream at the US 280 ramp (Evans County).
Burkett’s Ferry Landing (Jeff Davis County)
Posted 8/16/24
Beginning 8/26/24, Burkett’s Ferry Landing on the Ocmulgee River in Jeff Davis County will be closed for ramp and parking area renovation. This renovation process may take up to eight (8) weeks. Boaters and anglers may use Rocky Hammock Landing (upstream) or Hinson’s Landing (downstream) – both in Jeff Davis County and on the Ocmulgee River.
Ogeechee River Boat Ramp SR4/US1 (Jefferson County)
Updated 8/10/23
The Ogeechee River Boat Ramp located in Jefferson County at Georgia State Route 4/US Highway 1 is closed due to bridge replacement construction operations. A heavy crane will be placed at the ramp site to facilitate the movement of materials for the bridge project. A re-opening date for the ramp is yet to be determined. Alternative boat ramp locations on the Ogeechee River are as follows: upstream at State Hwy 88 (Jefferson County), and downstream at State Hwy 78 (Jefferson County).
Cautions
Hwy. 83 Boat Ramp (Jasper County, Ocmulgee River)
Updated 8/9/24
Caution When Using: Anglers and boaters using the Hwy. 83 Boat Ramp (Jasper County, Ocmulgee River - about 15 miles south of Monticello) should know that the boat ramp is open to the public. However, caution is advised due to ongoing logging and clearing operations in preparation of upcoming ramp replacement and highway bridge rebuilding. There will be heavy equipment moving nearby with logging trucks entering and exiting the property. Further information will be posted as needed.
