White Oak Duck Impoundment

Recently, a group of hunters coming to the area to duck hunt at the White Oak Duck Impoundment contacted me about staying at the John & Lucille Country Retreat. I was amazed that even after growing up in Stella, I wasn't aware of the impoundment. I have a keen interest and love for waterfowl, so I am excited to learn more about the duck impoundment. If anyone has information to share about the duck impoundment, please add your comments to this posting.

An impoundment is a civil engineering term used to describe an area where water is collected in a dam or reservoir. The White Oak duck impoundment is a flooded area constructed for the protection of waterfowl. It borders the White Oak River* on the Onslow County side, approximately 1/2 mile up the river from the Stella Bridge. The land (100 acres) was donated by Percy and Rachael Morton of Stella and the contruction was completed in 1995.

Water is pumped in and out of the White Oak River into the impoundment so as to maintain the brackish marsh and submerged vegetation as well as to keep the water somewhat level in the impoundment. A wide variety of duck species including mallards, gadwall, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, and shovelers benefit by this protected impoundment.

The John & Lucille Country Retreat is a perfect place to stay while hunting or fishing in the area. There is a boat ramp** at the Stella Bridge only 1/2 mile from the impoundment. The Retreat has plenty of parking spaces and room to park and wash a boat.

Picture: The pipe going from the river to the impoundment.

For more information,
visit http://www.stellacountryretreat.com/
or call 800-892-6775.


*The White Oak River flows from Hoffman Forest in Jones County into Carteret and Onslow Counties reaching Swansboro and Bogue Inlet. This blackwater river changes from fresh to brackish and then to salt water as it nears Swansboro and the Inland Waterway.


** There is a $5 charge to launch a boat at the Stella Bridge boat landing.