sedimentation has filled shallow areas in the backwaters which once 

 supported marsh plants, destroying habitat. The temporary benefit of 

 sedimentation to waterfowl has been the creating of mud flats which 

 produce moist soil plants when proper water level manipulation occurs. 



25. The 9-foot channel project affected bald eagles by initiating 

 an earlier freeze-up on the lower part of the pools, restricting the 

 eagles' feeding area. However, the benefit of open tailwaters in 

 midwinter probably outweighs the early-winter loss of feeding grounds. 



26. The initial increase in marsh areas as a result of the 9-foot 

 channel benefited common gallinule, sora, Virginia rail, heron, and 

 egret populations. The subsequent loss of marsh habitat due to sedi- 

 mentation and the increase in turbidity, restricting sight feeding, 

 has adversely affected these birds. 



27. The implementation of the 9-foot channel project inundated 

 existing mud flats used as feeding areas for shorebirds. Increased 

 sedimentation has recreated and produced more mud flats thereby 

 increasing feeding areas for shorebirds. Gulls and terns were bene- 

 fited by the increased water acreage as a result of the 9-foot channel 

 project. 



28. Bottomland timber was cleared in preparation for the 9-foot 

 channel project, thereby destroying habitat for woodcock, snipe, song- 

 birds, and woodpeckers. There was little effect on cormorants, bob- 

 white quail, ring-necked pheasants, mourning doves, and wild turkeys. 



29. The construction of the 9-foot channel project initially 

 benefited muskrats by increasing marsh areas. However, as a result of 

 increased sedimentation and subsequent destruction of aquatic and marsh 

 plants, much of the early benefits have been lost. 



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