LITTLE CREEK — The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Thursday that partial closures of the Little Creek Wildlife Area are probable as emergency repairs are made to the breached exterior dike at its west impoundment.

The department said that, in late September, Tropical Storm Ophelia weakened a portion of the dike. That, combined with coastal flooding earlier this month, has resulted in a breach of the dike to the extent that the impoundment now acts as a fully tidal body of water, limiting habitats for wildlife and access for recreational users.

While looking for solutions to repair the dike, the Division of Fish and Wildlife has restricted access to the west impoundment. Closures of the access road to the impoundment are also necessary.

Navigational hazards also require the division to restrict boating access for waterfowl hunters. Such hunting will likely be limited or closed within the impoundment (where waterfowl blinds numbered 7, 9, 50 and 51, all walk-in blinds, are located).

Additionally, the road and boat ramp providing access to these blinds may also need to be closed.

Should waterfowl hunting be permitted in the impoundment while it has been breached, information will be available at the Little Creek Lottery Station, off Del. 9, throughout the waterfowl season, which begins today. Hunters should also be aware that, because the impoundment is now fully tidal, it will go dry at low tide.

For information, call the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.