Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area

Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area
New York State Wildlife Management Area
Country	United States
State	New York
Counties	Niagara, Genesee, Orleans
Coordinates	43°06′58″N 78°28′26″W / 43.11611°N 78.47389°W / 43.11611; -78.47389Coordinates: 43°06′58″N 78°28′26″W / 43.11611°N 78.47389°W / 43.11611; -78.47389
Area	5,600 acres (2,266 ha)
Owner	New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Location of Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area in New York

The Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area is a 5,600-acre (23 km²) wildlife management area (WMA) located in western New York State. It is located primarily within Niagara County and Genesee County, with a small portion within Orleans County. It is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Along with the adjacent Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge to the east and the Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area farther to the east, Tonawanda WMA contributes to a continuous 19,000-acre (77 km²) region dedicated to conservation and wildlife management known as the Alabama Swamp Complex. Approximately 100,000 migratory birds pass through the area each year.

The wildlife management area is located in a swampy area that has historically been a stopping point for migratory wildfowl. The area was hunted by Native Americans and early settlers.

The land was purchased by New York State to protect the wildlife from over-hunting using funds from duck stamps and taxes on firearms and ammunition. The stated objectives of the WMA are increased waterfowl production, waterfowl protection, and flood control.

Tonawanda WMA lies about halfway between Buffalo and Rochester. It lies halfway between the Village of Akron to the south and the Village of Middleport to the north.

The Tonawanda WMA consists of 5,600 acres (23 km²), consisting primarily of wetlands. The WMA is on a floodplain of the Tonawanda Creek. Water retention is facilitated by impoundments, which increase wetland area and control flooding in nearby inhabited areas.