Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area
Description: Stretching along the banks of the Ohio River, this management area is a network of agricultural lands, forestlands, wetlands, and open water. Bottomland hardwoods dominate the areas along the river's bank, whereas oak and hickory dominate the upland portions of the area.
Viewing Information: The various habitats at Green Bottom support a diversity of wildlife that includes 30 species of mammals, 105 species of birds in the fall and 47 species in the winter, 12 species of amphibians and 5 species of reptiles. In early spring, bald eagles migrate through. Canada geese can been seen nesting throughout the wetlands and on any of the 14 manmade nesting islands at Green Bottom Swamp.
Wood ducks nest in natural cavities and in any of the 50 nesting boxes constructed by the Wildlife Resources Section. Gray and red foxes live here. Red foxes prefer more open habitat and are seldom found in dense woodlands; gray foxes can be found in open habitats but seem to prefer forests in the early successional stages of development. Other mammals include minks, muskrats, raccoons, white-tailed deer and beavers.
Amphibians in the area include leopard frogs and Jefferson salamanders. Early August is particularly beautiful at Green Bottom when marsh roses cover the wetlands. This is a public hunting area. Please check with the manager for seasons and affected areas.
Directions: From Huntington, travel north on West Virginia State Route 2 for 16 miles. There are several access points to the area on the west side of WV 2 just south of the Cabell and Mason county line.
Ownership: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers; West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (304) 675-0271
Size: 1,100 acres
Closest Town: Glenwood
Excerpt from the WV Wildlife Viewing Guide by Mark Damian Duda . Available from the WVDNR.