Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Many wetlands are being restored through state and federal incentive programs. However more research is needed to develop and document the success of restoration practices.

A depressional non-riverine bottomland hardwood wetland was evaluated to serve as a reference for comparison of hydrologic conditions in a 250 acre prior converted wetland restoration project at North River Farms near Beaufort, NC. Water table monitoring wells were installed along three different transects across the reference.

The hydrology of the site was analyzed using eight criteria: 1) number of times that jurisdictional wetland criteria was met; 2) the range of the water table fluctuation; 3) number of days the water table was at or above the surface during the study period and 4) the growing season; 5) number of days the water table was within 30 cm of the surface during the study period and 6) the growing season; 7) SEW30 for the study period and 8) the growing season. SEW30 is a measure of the duration and frequency that the water table is above a threshold depth.

The water table in the reference was within 30 cm of the surface for 80 or more days. However, the water table was at or above the ground surface for less than 16 days.

DRAINMOD was calibrated using the 20 months of water table data and used to simulate the long term hydrology of the reference. Minimal jurisdictional wetland criteria (water table within 30 cm of the surface for 5% of the growing season) was satisfied for 46 out of 50 years in the center of the reference.

The reference wetland met jurisdictional criteria and the area in the center of the reference was determined to be acceptable to gauge wetland hydrology restoration success.