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Transect A. #IV <br />This is a non-wetland checksite. Dominant species are Green Ash (FACW) and <br />American Elm (FACW-). Soils are Estherville, a non-wetland soil. Surface hydrology <br />Is not met. Site is not flooded, ponded, or saturated, or In a wetland drainage pattern. <br />• i <br />‘ J <br />SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS <br />One wetland boundary was delineated in the field. The interior Is dominated by <br />Duckweed and open water. <br />The area of standing water has lncrea.sed over time due to obstruction of natural <br />drainage by filling for construction of a house on the south side of the wetland. <br />Accumulation of debris in the backyard of the house Is part of the historical drainage <br />way. This portion of the historic drainage way also no longer function due to an <br />accumulation of yard debris (leaves etc.) which prohibits overflow drainage during <br />periods of high water. The duration of standing water also has increased as a result of <br />fill placed in the wetland during realignment of Highway 19. <br />Included in this report are ground level photos of the area obstructed by debris and <br />laser copies of aerial photos showing changes to the wetland over time. The ground <br />level photos were taken in May, 1997. Aerial photos taken in 1937, 1940, 1945, 1953, <br />1956, 1960, 1971, and 1991 were examined. <br />iioHl <br />A natural outlet was filled for the construction of a house at'4T96 County Road 19. <br />Prior to this alteration the wetland was a Type Three (PEMIC) wetland. The wetland <br />now is classified as Type Five (PUBFh) wetland. The wetland had standing water at <br />times during the growing season prior to the filling of it’s natural outlet. The wetland <br />now has standing water throughout the growing season. A type Four wetland would <br />only be dry during a moderately severe drought, such as that experienced In the area <br />In 1987 and 1988. Available aerial photography shows the fill was placed at the site <br />between 1945 and 1953. <br />County Road 19 was realigned between 1960 and 1971 per available photography. <br />The western portion of the wetland was filled to accommodate the straightened road <br />bed. The additional fill has displaced water and increased the duration and area of <br />flooding in other portions of the basin. <br />Concrete and other debris was found at the southern and western portions of the <br />wetland. The wetland boundary is very irregular in these areas. Irregular boundaries <br />often result from delineations In wetlands which have been partially filled. <br />These changes are visible on aerial photography. Prior to construction both the <br />southern and western portions of the wetland had an oval shape typical of Pothole <br />type depressions. After construction had occurred both of these areas have a straight <br />edged appearance, which is typical of wetlands that have been partially filled.