Restoration of wetlands in the Midwest “has the potential to significantly reduce peak river flows during floods – not only now, but also in the future if heavy rains continue to increase in intensity,” says Oregon State U.
Researchers looked at a central Indiana watershed and concluded that if 1.5 percent of the land were used for wetlands, peak water flow of the watershed could be reduced by 17.5 percent. The OSU researchers said expansion of wetlands would provide benefits across a wide range of climate scenarios. At present, flood control in the Midwest is focused on dams and levees. Wetlands slow or soak up runoff from heavy rainfall and release the water more slowly.
“Wetland construction or restoration could provide a natural and ecological option to help with flood concerns, and serve as an additional tool for flood management,” said OSU assistant engineering professor Meghna Babbar-Sebens. The OSU study was published in the journal Ecological Engineering and examined the impact of wetlands and climate changes in a three-decade window at mid-century. It suggests weather in central Indiana will become more extreme, with more days of high temperatures during summer and heavier rainfalls in the wettest five-day periods. Babbar-Sebens said there are few programs at present that provide financial incentives for landowners to set aside wetlands for flood management but there are many that value wetlands for wildlife habitat, water quality and erosion control.