Wetlands benefit people as well as wildlife. Wetlands can control erosion and prevent flooding by holding water and reducing runoff. They also recharge sub-surface water supplies and provide hay land in dry years. Wetlands provide crucial habitat for many types of wildlife including ducks, pheasants, and deer. More than half of the nation's wetlands have been lost to drainage since the 1800's. Protecting, restoring and enhancing wetlands ensures these habitats, wildlife, and benefits will be there for future generations.
There are 16 wetlands in Waubay Management District which have water control structures. Water control structures act like a tub drain - they allow managers to change the level of the water in a wetland.The structures used in our District have boards in them which can be added or removed depending on the management goals. By adjusting water levels managers can change the type of plants that grow in wetlands which will attract different types of waterfowl and other wetland wildlife.
Plants have a chance to grow when wetlands are allowed to dry out. Once these plants become established, managers will slowly refill the wetland. This will allow a different set of plants to germinate depending on the depth of the water. If the refilling is done slowly enough, a wide variety of wetland plants will be able to develop. As water levels increase, some plants will die and will be replaced by species more tolerant of deeper water. Dead and decaying plant matter provides nutrients for plankton and insects which in turn become food for frogs, fish, ducks, other marsh birds, and animals. Repeating the cycle helps to keep wetlands healthy and productive.
