This 17-acre wetland restoration project near the lower James River was created to provide migratory habitat for many waterfowl and shorebird species traveling along the Atlantic Coast. The poorly drained agricultural field was ideal for restoration due to the flat landscape and heavy soils of the region and high waterfowl use along the Chesapeake Bay. One mile of low-level dike created 2 separate wetland cells where water levels could be managed independently, providing a diverse and highly productive wetland complex. Just one month after construction, mallards and pintail have been observed daily during the early migration south.