Swan Harbor Shallow Water Development and Management site (Practice Code 646) was designed by the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) for the shallow inundation of lands. It provides habitat for wildlife such as shorebirds, waterfowl, wading birds, reptiles, amphibians and other species that require shallow water for at least a part of their life cycle. The Harford Soil Conservation District (HSCD) in partnership with USDA NRCS, Ducks Unlimited, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Harford County Dept of Parks and Recreation developed this 15.2 acre site. The area was to wet to farm most years but did not have standing water. In years past we would have put tile in the field to drain off the water. This did not provide any benefits for wildlife. The area was cut and a berm placed around the site to hold water in some areas and allow water to remain close to surface in other areas. Wetland vegetation was planted and has since taken over the low areas and provides habitat for lots of wildlife. Funds for the construction came from the USDA Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), Ducks Unlimited and MD DNR.
This site is a favorite for bird watchers as 50 species of birds have been recorded.
We do have a permit to place this cache onsite from Harford County Dept of Parks and Recreation.
Congratulations to Death Wish Dave on the FTF.