Wetland classification, Ident., delineation-June 2015

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Accumulated precipitation since the 5/6/15 sampling date shows field work was conducted under abnormally dry conditions, according the Minnesota Climatology Working Group. The months of February, March, and April received rainfall totals of 0.38", 0.80" and 1.60", respectively. All rainfall totals for these three months are considered below normal precipitation conditions. Precipitation from March 1, 2015 to May 7, 2015 as recorded at the Chanhassen WSFO is 1.87" below normal with average recorded temperatures for the same period slightly above normal, 2.2 degrees F. Wetland 1 on this parcel is a PFO1, Type 1 floodplain forest located in a depressional area,with a steep slope on the south and the embankment of Spring Hill Road on the north. The wetland vegetation at wetland sample 1-1 Wet is dominated by American elm (Ulmus americana FACW) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica FACW) in the tree stratum, and common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica FAC) in the sapling/shrub and herb strata. Similar to the wetland sample 1- 1 Wet, vegetation at sample point 1-1 Up meets the wetland indicator for pominance Test (>50%). Common buckthorn is dominant in the tree, sapling, and herb strata. Additionally, American elm and boxelder (Acer negundo FAC) dominate the tree stratum while stinging nettle (Urtica dioica FACW) is the other plant to dominate the herbaceous layer. Much like vegetation, both wetland and upland sample points possessed wetland indicators, in this case for hydric soils. Sample point 1-1 Wet was taken near the bottom of the depressional area. Soils were silty clay throughout the entire sample and met both the redox dark surface (F6) and Al2 (Thick Dark Surface) hydric soil indicators. The soils at sample point 1-1 Up were collected on the hillslope approximately 3 feet higher in elevation than the wetland boundary. Soils at this location transition from silt loam at the surface to silty clays at a depth of 30 inches, at which point become depleted, meeting hydric soil indicator Al2 for Thick Dark Surface. Wetland hydrology is present at sample point 1-1 Wet as evidenced by the primary indicators A2 (High Water Table) and A3 (Saturation) with saturation present at 8 inches and a water table at 12 inches. Secondary indicators D2 (Geomorphic Position) and DS (FAC-Neutral Test) are also met. At sample point 1-1 Up, only the FAC-Neutral Test is met. Due to 1-1 Up's location on a relatively steep hillslope geomorphic position is not met. Additionally, no water table or saturation is present, unlike at 1-1 Wet's sample location. Because the upland sample meets the wetland vegetation and soil indicators, the wetland boundary was flagged primarily based on the hydrology. Wetland 2 on this parcel is classified as a PEM, Type 2/3 fresh wet meadow that transitions to a shallow marsh. This wetland is located adjacent to Long Lake and at the bottom of a small hill. In wetland sample 2-1 WET, tree stratum vegetation is dominated by green ash and boxelder. These trees are located on the very edge of the wetland. 100 percent of the ground cover is reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea FACW). Similarly, boxelder and green ash dominate the tree stratum in upland sample 2-1 Up. Common buckthorn and prickly gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati FAC) are the dominant vegetation within the shrub stratum. The herb stratum is dominated by sticky willy (Gallium aparine FACU), stinging nettle, and ground ivy (Glechoma hederacea FACU). Although both sample points meet the Dominance Test for the wetland vegetation indicator, 1-1 Up possesses a much greater percentage of woody stemmed plants in the shrub/sapling and tree layers. Additionally, at 1-1 Up there is a variety of dominant plants, listed Svoboda Ecological Resources 3 ]025 Spring Hill Rd Project Number: 2015-007-03 Orono,MN