Plantation Island Wildlife Management Area
The primary purposes of Plantation Island Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is approximately 200 acres of Mohawk River floodplain in the Town of German Flats, Herkimer County. The Mohawk River is the north perimeter of the island, with the NYS Barge Canal defining the south border. Historically, Plantation Island was used for agriculture and canal maintenance. Agricultural activity has long ceased, but portions of the island are still managed by the NYS Thruway Authority for Barge Canal management and upkeep. The island is a mixture of wetlands (open marsh, wet meadow, and small, shallow wetland pools), old pasture and meadow, and floodplain forest. Due to previous significant disturbance, the island has large stands of invasive plant species such as honeysuckle, buckthorn, purple loosestrife, and Phragmites. Since access is limited, the island has little infrastructure.