Wetlands
Use nature’s natural water filter to reduce runoff and improve water quality.
Wetlands Improve Water Quality
A wetland is an area that is periodically or regularly inundated with water. Many wetlands are naturally occurring, while others are partially or fully built by people to help filter nutrients, control flooding and provide wildlife habitat.
Nature’s Kidneys
Did you know? Human kidneys remove toxins and waste from about 50 gallons of fluid every day. Wetlands do the same thing, but at a much larger scale for the earth! One acre of wetland can store up to one million gallons of water!
slower flow
Slower Flow
- Wetlands slow runoff from heavy rains.
- Slower moving runoff means less soil erosion.
- Sediment that does move is deposited in the wetland.
- Excess phosphorus doesn’t move downstream.
Hungry Microbes
Hungry Microbes
- Microbes use nitrates kind of like how humans use oxygen to breathe.
- They convert nitrate to inert N2 gas, which makes up 80% of the atmosphere.
- Wetlands create the perfect atmosphere for this process because of their anaerobic (low oxygen) soil conditions and flow of nitrate from fields.
Productive Plants
Productive Plants
- Aquatic plants and wetland soils provide surfaces for microbes to live.
- They also provide organic carbon to help maintain growth and metabolism of microbes.
Farm the Best, Restore the Rest
Myth or fact? wetlands won’t take up valuable farmland.
Fact!
Wetlands can be restored in wet, soggy areas of the farm that repeatedly flood or produce low yields. Paying for inputs like seed and fertilizer in these areas is often not profitable. Plus, you get to enjoy the natural habitat and scenic views!
1 acre of Iowa wetland removes excess nitrogen in runoff from 100 acres of corn
52%
decrease of nitrogen in water
0-20%
slowdown of streamflow rates
50%
of migratory bird species
depend on wetlands
46%
of threatened and endangered species
in the U.S. require wetlands
How It’s Done
Iowa wetlands come in many shapes and sizes, from “pothole” marshes covering hundreds of acres to small oxbows bordering our streams. Wetlands typically have these components:
1. Forebay
Eroded soil is captured from incoming runoff before entering the wetland.
2. Microtophography
Small berms and depressions that make up a “maze” for the water to weave slower through the wetland, which helps with pollutant removal.
3. Areas for Shallow Water
Varying water depths allow for plant growth, which can help filter pollutants.
4. Pools
Deeper pools reduce sediment suspension and thermal pollution while creating wildlife habitats.
5. Outlet
A wetland outlet is designed to release water slowly, improving downstream environmental conditions.
Cost-Share Options
Establishing and caring for wetlands is crucial to improving water quality in Iowa. Millions of dollars in cost-share are available to restore wetlands, including:
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
The Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
Getting Started
To learn more about wetlands and how to construct one on your property, contact your local NRCS office or the Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship to learn more.
More Resources
Here are more helpful resources on wetlands:
Download our wetlands posters to learn how they improve water quality and habitat.
How We’re Bringing Wetlands Back to Iowa
Wetlands used to cover 6 million acres in Iowa. But since the 18th century, we’ve lost more than 90% of our wetlands.
Here are four wetlands projects we helped fundraise for under Ducks Unlimited’s leadership. Their completion was possible because of a Prairie Meadows Legacy Grant.
Wetlands improvements at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt in Maxwell
Helland wetland restoration at the Helland farm in Slater
Brenton Slough acquisition near Grimes
Learn more about these projects and how you can support them.