Moist-Soil Impoundments for Wetland Wildlife.

Abstract : This report was prepared as a guide to assist Corps biologists and natural resource managers in developing moist-soil impoundments that will benefit wildlife using wetland habitats. The use of moist-soil impoundments is especially effective for managing waterfowl habitat in areas of declining wetland acreage. This technique promotes production of naturally occurring wetland vegetation by emulating natural wetland functions. Wetland hydrology is controlled by constructed water delivery, control, and discharge systems; the successional stage of wetland vegetation is manipulated by a combination of soil or vegetative disturbances and appropriate flooding regimes. This report describes the design and construction of moist-soil impoundments, including desirable site characteristics, levee construction and placement, water-delivery systems, and control structures. The stewardship value of moist-soil impoundments is discussed, and recommendations are given for managing impoundments as single structures or as complexes of smaller units. Strategies are presented for controlling undesirable vegetation and for managing impoundments to accommodate a diversity of wildlife species. Techniques are suggested for monitoring and evaluating moist-soil impoundments at various stages of the annual cycle.