Wetland Enhancement Projects: First Spring Runoff

Spring seems far off in the Swan Valley. Deep, heavy snow covers all surfaces. The severe winter provided copious water. Contributions from groundwater and precipitation have filled the wetland restoration areas to their banks.

Posted on 4/23/2018 by Beau Larkin

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Spring seems far off in the Swan Valley. Deep, heavy snow covers the ground. The severe winter provided copious water. Contributions from groundwater and precipitation have filled Entrance Marsh to its bank.
A reference photo from October shows how little water remained in the marsh just after excavation.
Now, snow and ice fill the entire pond. Just above the new water level, undisturbed soil and cattails lie under snow.
Another reference image from October shows the area that we excavated to the greatest depth (star).
It has filled to the old bank. The spot marked with the star is about 12 feet deep.
now melted off of this area four days ago, and already new seedlings sprout with good coverage and in high density
Home Pond has filled to the top of the new dam that we constructed last year.
This view from September shows the drain pipe installed at a low water level.
the red line shows the top of the pipe after we had cut it.
The expanded circumference of the pond also added one acre of inundated soil that will become new wetland over time.
Upland grasses and forbs comprised the understory before the water level change. This area will transition to wetland plants.
Wild Turkey tracks crisscrossed the snow near forest edges and along roads.
At last I found a Wild Turkey.
Bobcat tracks also wound along forest edges near turkey and deer tracks.
Striped skunk tracks ranged far and wide.

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Photos

Remote cameras deliver an inside view of wildlife behavior as shown here in this Buckeye capture from the summer of 2012.
This Buckeye camera captures animals walking across Main Bridge above Cooney Creek.
This week’s capture totals include several images of snowshoe hares, putting them at third place in the roster. Their seasonal white coats provide camouflage as they bound across the crust of snow on broad feet.

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