9460

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9460
• Author: Wentz, W. A.
• Title: Wetlands Values and Management.
• USFW Year: 1981.
• USFW - Doc Type: Washington, D.C.
• Copyright Material: NO

lessen their impact on downstream areas.
A large number of wetlands can store a
considerable amount of rainfall and delay
its runoff. This storage and delay can
prevent minor floods or lower the peak
depths of major floods in downstream
areas. Widespread drainage in an area
can have the opposite effect and result in
increased flooding problems.
Wetlands also have major educa-
tional and scientific values. Regardless of
their size, individual wetlands can provide
outdoor classrooms where teachers can
demonstrate the workings of nature to
their students. Because of their values to
society, wetlands also provide unique lab-
oratories where scientists can learn new
and useful things that can provide many
benefits.
When a wetland is drained or filled,
the effects are obvious. But sometimes
the effects of lesser actions are not so
obvious. Partial filling or draining, or deep-
ening by dredging or dam construction

can result in minor changes in the wetland
and subsequent loss of some of the desir-
able values. Manipulation of the water-
shed or intensive use of groundwater can
also drastically influence a wetland. Redi-
rection of surface flows might eventually
result in a reduction of the size of a
wetland and over utilization of ground-
water in an area often results in the com-
plete elimination of a wetland. However, it
is possible to enhance the values of your
wetland by proper management. The fol-
lowing pages briefly describe a few man-
agement alternatives that will help
landowners receive an economic return
from their wetlands and preserve and
enhance these natural values.

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