| This study involves evaluation of a hydrological approach for the delineation of jurisdictional wetlands and the planning and monitoring of wetland restoration. The proposed process uses short-term groundwater observations for the development of the rate of drainage (infiltration) and response to evapotranspiration and rainfall for a site. Those parameters are then used in a site-specific hydrological model that, together with long-term precipitation records, may be used to estimate the extent of saturation and inundation at the site over the long term. The extent of long-term saturation and inundation may then be compared with prevailing legal criteria for wetlands. The study includes an examination of the rationale for the model as well as tests of its validity for the prediction of groundwater levels. In addition, the limits of wetland areas determined by this process are compared with those determined by the use of traditional vegetative and soil indicators of wetlands. The study also addresses possible applications of the process for the planning of wetland restoration. |
