Alerts & Closures

Closure Alerts - Hurricane Helene

Last updated 10/4/24 3:33 pm

WMA & PFA Closures and Changes

Wildlife Management Areas:

  • Bullard Creek WMA - Closed until further notice due to significant damage (downed powerlines and trees) from Helene. Avoid this area. 
  • Dawson Forest WMA - City of Atlanta Tract - Shoal Creek Bridge is closed (due to structural issues). However, the rest of the WMA is open.
  • Flat Tub WMA -Closed until further notice due to significant damage (downed powerlines and trees) from Helene. Avoid this area.
  • Grand Bay WMA - Closed until further notice due to significant damage (downed powerlines and trees) from Helene. Avoid this area.
  • Horse Creek WMA - Closed until further notice due to significant damage (downed powerlines and trees) from Helene. Avoid this area.
  • Ohoopee Dunes WMA - Closed until further notice due to significant damage (downed powerlines and trees) from Helene. Avoid this area.

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:

  • Evans PFA- Due to damages from Helene, the PFA and the campground are closed.
  • 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- Due to damages from Helene, the PFA and the campground are closed.
  • Paradise PFA- The area is open, but the campground is closed.

Boat Ramps

  • Beaverdam WMA boat ramp on Oconee River (trees down on access roads - can't get to boat ramp) (Laurens County)
  • Broad River SR17 (Elbert County) 
  • Brigham’s Landing ramp (Yuchi WMA) (The road to the boat ramp is inaccessible)
  • Lock and Dam Ramp (Baurle boat ramp-Augusta-Richmond Co) will be closed as of 6pm (9/26/24)
  • McDuffie PFA Boat Ramps
  • 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 Ramps (Dick’s Lookout, Miller Lake and Possum Eddy) are flooded and not accessible (Screven County / Savannah River)

Last updated 10/3/24 9:21 am


WMA, PFA, & Hatchery Closures

Map of Regions by Number


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.


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. 

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

Clybel Shooting Range

Updated 7/31/2024
Currently, only the life-sized steel targets are available for use on the rifle range. Shotgun field #2 is closed.

Richmond Hill Shooting Range and Richmond Hill Archery Range

Posted 9/19/2024
Richmond Hill Shooting Range and Richmond Hill Archery Range will be temporarily closed on Tuesday, Oct. 1 (all day) for a special event. The range will re-open for public use on Wed. Oct. 2 at 9 a.m.


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.

**Boat Ramp Interactive Map

**Contact region offices should you want to check ramp conditions ahead of time.

Closures

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.