Higbee Beach Wildlife Management Area Restoration Project-Image Gallery

Drone footage showcasing the construction progress of the project in February 2025. 

Drone footage of the former Harbison-Walker Magnesite facility during site preparation in February 2024  

Drone footage of the Higbee Beach WMA during site preparation in February 2024  

Preconstruction drone footage of the Higbee Beach WMA in 2020 

Construction of a sand shell island north of the mainstem of Pond Creek– March 2025
Construction of a sand shell island north of the mainstem of Pond Creek– March 2025
While still under construction, here’s an example of a forthcoming wildlife viewing structure (foreground) with a newly constructed habitat cluster. The ecological uplift to this area consists of the creation of tidal open water and associated mudflats, high marsh, sand nesting/foraging ground, and tree snags – March 2025
While still under construction, here’s an example of a forthcoming wildlife viewing structure (foreground) with a newly constructed habitat cluster. The ecological uplift to this area consists of the creation of tidal open water and associated mudflats, high marsh, sand nesting/foraging ground, and tree snags – March 2025
Building a high marsh island within the marsh interior with material excavated from constructed tributaries – March 2025
Building a high marsh island within the marsh interior with material excavated from constructed tributaries – March 2025
Completed foundation support for forthcoming boardwalk located in the western portion of the project – March 2025
Completed foundation support for forthcoming boardwalk located in the western portion of the project – March 2025
Final stage preparations for the water tower demolition – March 2025
Final stage preparations for the water tower demolition – March 2025
Shearing of the demolished water tower for disposal at an approved facility – March 2025
Shearing of the demolished water tower for disposal at an approved facility – March 2025
Planting of a constructed interior dune system with beachgrass plugs (Ammophilia breviligulata) – March 2025
Planting of a constructed interior dune system with beachgrass plugs (Ammophilia breviligulata) – March 2025
Seeding of a newly constructed dune system with panic grass (Panicum amarum) – March 2025
Seeding of a newly constructed dune system with panic grass (Panicum amarum) – March 2025
Planting of a newly constructed bayside dune with beachgrass plugs (Ammophilia breviligulata) – March 2025
Planting of a newly constructed bayside dune with beachgrass plugs (Ammophilia breviligulata) – March 2025
Concrete pour for foundation support at forthcoming heron canopy viewing platform – March 2025
Concrete pour for foundation support at forthcoming heron canopy viewing platform – March 2025
Completed excavation of the mainstem of Pond Creek – February 2025
Completed excavation of the mainstem of Pond Creek – February 2025
Installation of piles along the south bank of Pond Creek for foundational support of the forthcoming pedestrian bridge – February 2025
Installation of piles along the south bank of Pond Creek for foundational support of the forthcoming pedestrian bridge – February 2025
Construction of a sand shell island south of the Pond Creek mainstem – November 2024
Construction of a sand shell island south of the Pond Creek mainstem – November 2024
Completed excavation of the confluence between the mainstem of Pond Creek and tributary, located in the southern section of the project – November 2024
Completed excavation of the confluence between the mainstem of Pond Creek and tributary, located in the southern section of the project – November 2024
Excavation of mainstem of Pond Creek – November 2024
Excavation of mainstem of Pond Creek – November 2024
Placement of topsoil on the left bank of Pond Creek in preparation of seeding – October 2024
Placement of topsoil on the left bank of Pond Creek in preparation of seeding – October 2024
Construction of sand dune – October 2024
Construction of sand dune – October 2024
Grading of marsh interior around existing tree snag – October 2024
Grading of marsh interior around existing tree snag – October 2024
Excavation of the mainstem of Pond Creek toward the marsh interior – September 2024
Excavation of the mainstem of Pond Creek toward the marsh interior – September 2024
Temporary construction access spanning Pond Creek to the southern and northern landfills – August 2024
Temporary construction access spanning Pond Creek to the southern and northern landfills – August 2024
Placement of excavated material on the right bank of Pond Creek – August 2024
Placement of excavated material on the right bank of Pond Creek – August 2024
Excavation of Pond Creek through the northern landfill – July 2024
Excavation of Pond Creek through the northern landfill – July 2024
Drying of excavated marsh materials before reusing elsewhere on site
Drying of excavated marsh materials before reusing elsewhere on site
Excavated wetland material placed over stone near the mouth of Pond Creek – June 2024
Excavated wetland material placed over stone near the mouth of Pond Creek – June 2024
Excavation and placement of stone near the mouth of Pond Creek – June 2024
Excavation and placement of stone near the mouth of Pond Creek – June 2024
Construction of the northern berm foundation – June 2024
Construction of the northern berm foundation – June 2024
Placement of fabric and geogrid before the construction of the northern berm foundation – June 2024
Placement of fabric and geogrid before the construction of the northern berm foundation – June 2024
Temporary mats used for equipment access throughout the marsh
Temporary mats used for equipment access throughout the marsh
Higbee Beach-Turbidity barrier installed outside of the ditch plug to prevent sediment from reaching the bay
Turbidity barrier installed outside of the ditch plug to prevent sediment from reaching the bay
Higbee Beach-Completed ditch plug at the mouth of Pond Creek
Completed ditch plug at the mouth of Pond Creek
Higbee Beach-Placement of fabric and geogrid before the construction of the eastern berm foundation – April 2024
Placement of fabric and geogrid before the construction of the eastern berm foundation – April 2024
Higbee Beach-Installation of the ditch plug at the mouth of Pond Creek – February 2024
Installation of the ditch plug at the mouth of Pond Creek – February 2024
Higbee Beach-Clearing and grubbing of vegetation – February 2024
Clearing and grubbing of vegetation – February 2024
Higbee-Beach-Installation of silt fence throughout the project site – February 2024
Installation of silt fence throughout the project site – February 2024
Higbee Beacg-Demolition of the existing channel crossing – February 2024
Demolition of the existing channel crossing – February 2024