Upper Susquehanna Coalition A Synopsis of Wetland Values and Functions
www.u-s-c.org 2011
Why Wetlands?
Wetland Functions
Capture
runoff to desynchronize flood peaks resulting in less flooding
Decrease
stream flows to reduce energy of flowing water - less erosion
Remove
sediment and impurities from surface water - improving water quality
Provide
wildlife habitat – add diversity and more recreational opportunities
Wetland Functions
Flood Attenuation Over the past 30 years flooding has cost the US an average of $ 7.82 billion/yr. with 94 deaths averaged per year1
1http://www.nws.noaa.gov/hic/
- 2012
The 10% Solution Wetland Functions The effects of wetlands on flood flows 1.00
LATIVE
0.80
0.60
OODFLOW 0.40
0.20
0.00
10
20
PERCENT
30
WETLANDS
Novitski, R.P: Hydrologic characteristics of Wisconsin's wetlands and their influence on floods, stream flow, and sediment. American Water Resources Association, 1978.
40
Wetland Functions Wetland buffering barn runoff from Unadilla River- this small wetland basically eliminated the nutrient runoff into the river
Nearly half of all endangered and threatened species in the United States depend on wetlands for some portion of their life-cycle.
Even small shallow wetlands are important
Wetlands don’t need to be very wet to function
Wetland Impacts
Potential Wetland Impacts ď‚› Dredging, ď‚› Dumping
filling, and draining
Wetland Impacts Filling wetlands reduces water holding capacity of the watershed when it rains
Wetland Strategies
Potential Wetland Protection Strategies On the scale of least to most involvement: Watershed stewardship
Wetland education Promote wetland creation and restoration (with efforts to avoid existing wetlands)
Land conservation/ protection Land Trust Easements Easements by the town Wetland stewardship program in which landowners register existing wetlands and agree to protect those wetlands from impacts with possible compensation being tax breaks Wetland
consideration in site design and review of permit applications
Consideration during stormwater permits as well as Subdivision planning, mobile home, and timber harvesting Have wetland boundaries delineated on all maps for applications
Wetland
Ordinance
Wetlands can be constructed or restored to add more capacity to a watershed
By building a low berm (at left of the wetland) a nice pool was formed that adds flood capacity, wildlife values, water quality improvements and visual aesthetics
Wetlands perched higher in the watershed are “out of the way� and provide exceptional value for capturing rainfall before it enters streams
Other Related Issues A comprehensive approach to watershed functions is always the best approach. The following slides provide some examples
Erosion Major rainfall events can cause severe erosion due to the combination of topography and poor planning
Road Ditch in Meads Creek Watershed after a 5 inch rainfall
An example of poor road maintenance that will lead to more erosion
Before
After
Erosion Prevention
One way to stabilize road ditch is hydroseeding over a fabric barrier
Erosion
Streambank Erosion –An ongoing issue: contact USC for copies of the stream guide
Flooding Flooding in the Catatonk Watershed, 1996
How to reduce the effects of too much rain
• •
•
Spread it out Slow it down Soak it in
Water Quality
“Cows in the creek� Add nutrients and destabilize stream banks
Water Quality Logging, if done improperly can affect streams and add to water runoff. This is a poorly placed culvert in a logging road
Outreach and education are important to aid in understanding the importance of wetlands
Additional Resources US Fish and Wildlife Partners for Wildlife: www.fws.gov/partners USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Wetland Reserve Program: www.ny.nrcs.usda.gov/program/ wrp Upper Susquehanna Coalition Wetland Program: www.u-s-c.org/wetlandprogram