PUBLISHED: MAY 2008

Modeling Urban Wetland Hydrology for the Restoration of a Forested Riparian Wetland Ecosystem

by Christopher Obropta1,2, Peter Kallin3, Michael Mak4,
and Beth Ravit1

1Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901

2Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901

3Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance, Belgrade Lakes, ME 04918

4Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901

Abstract

To achieve our goal of a sustainable wetland system within a highly urbanized watershed, we required a model of the site's existing hydrology. This model will be used to develop a Conceptual Restoration Plan incorporating hydrology capable of sustaining the reestablished wetland system. Initial data suggests that the current system hydrology is dominated predominately by surface water flows. We have utilized the USEPA SWMM model to characterize water movement through 46 subbasins on this site. These simulated surface water flows will be used in conjunction with ground water, vegetation, and soil data to develop a Conceptual Restoration Plan for the site and to predict surface water movement through the reestablished wetlands.

Keywords: Riparian wetland ecosystem, hydrology, SWMM model, water budget, runoff, aquaclude, perched bog