Wetland Delineation 101 and Project Update
Minnesota's Wetlands
Wetlands are often overlooked, but they are truly essential habitats deserving our attention! Let’s dive into what wetlands are, why they are so important, and how we can safeguard them during development projects like the Cannon River Fish Passage project.
Did you know that before European settlers arrived, Minnesota was home to over 20 million acres of wetlands? Today, that number has sadly been cut in half, a situation that should raise some alarms. Wetlands are low-lying areas saturated with water, either all year round or seasonally. These extraordinary natural landscapes play a vital role in enhancing water quality, controlling floods, providing sanctuaries for diverse wildlife, and maintaining the overall health of our ecosystem.
Since the arrival of European settlers, Minnesota's landscape has transformed dramatically. Large swathes of wetlands have been drained and converted into farmland, while drainage systems—like tiles and ditches—have changed the natural flow of water, leading to the loss of wildlife habitats and the species that once thrived there. Fortunately, in 1991, a crucial breakthrough came when the Minnesota legislature passed the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA), establishing a statewide "no net loss" policy for wetlands. The aim? To protect the quantity, quality, and biological diversity of these vital areas by regulating activities such as draining, filling, and excavating.
Our organization proudly joins a growing movement dedicated to restoring these critical habitats. We’re actively working in southern Minnesota to reconnect land and water corridors. In collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and Bolton & Menk, we are working on a project to modify the Lower Sakatah Lake Dam and Gorman Lake Dam into rock arch rapids and replace the Dodd Road culvert to enhance fish passage in the Cannon River watershed. Rock arch rapids are an effective, nature-inspired design that replaces or modifies low-head dams, mimicking natural stream conditions, allowing fish to swim freely.
We announced this project in February 2025, and we’re thrilled to be at the permitting stage, which includes the important process of wetland delineation.
What is Wetland Delineation?
You might be wondering—what exactly is wetland delineation? It’s a critical process that involves identifying and mapping wetlands within a specific site to outline their boundaries and characteristics. This step is vital for various development projects, as it helps us understand the potential impacts of activities like construction or modifications to structures such as dams.
During the delineation process, experts explore several key indicators. They investigate signs of wetland hydrology, such as flood patterns and the presence of water sources. They analyze soil composition to identify hydric soils, which are typical of wetland areas. They also look for hydrophytic vegetation—those remarkable plants that flourish in water-saturated conditions.
The insights gained from this process are essential for meeting regulatory requirements under laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Wetland Conservation Act. This information aids in securing permits and planning effective mitigation measures to safeguard these invaluable ecosystems. In essence, wetland delineation is a key player in ensuring that development projects minimize their environmental impact while promoting responsible ecological stewardship.
Project Update
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Cannon River Fish Passage project, please reach out to our Conservation Program Manager, Anna Holman, at anna@cleanriverpartners.org or (507) 200-8219. You may also find the information you need by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the website.
