Watershed: Palouse Basin
Stream Name: Paradise Creek
Date Established: 07/15/2001
Project Status: Complete, ongoing monitoring
Overview
Wetland constructed 2001, native trees & shrubs planted fall 2001. Plantings were completed spring/summer 2002.
Description
The purpose of the Orchard Wetland project was to create a wetland to filter the nutrients and sediment from the farm fields and from adjacent livestock areas. Approximately 1000 cubic yards of soil were excavated from this site and moved to another location on site to create a terrace. The newly constructed wetland has a 4-5 foot bottom with and a higher 3 ft excavation in the center of the wetland. This 3-ft excavation fulfills the shallow excavation criteria of the 319 NPS grant. The wetland area was planted with woody vegetation as well as wetland vegetation to help improve water quality by reducing nutrients through the water-filtering qualities of wetland plants. The banks of the wetland area were secured with geotextile fabric and were seeded with native grasses. In the spring of 2002, Willow poles and Red osier dogwoods were planted along the banks to secure the banks and introduce shade to the system. Additional native plantings were planted in the spring of 2002.
Previous Conditions
This site is located in a low lying area that feeds a tributary to Paradise Creek. In addition, few trees or woody vegetation grew in the area. The site is inundated with water for a significant portion of the year. This condition made the site suitable for wetland construction. Reed canary grass was the dominant vegetation along the stream segment. Few trees or woody vegetation were present. A horse pasture upstream of the site contributed associated pollutants to the stream.
Photo History:
A Cluster of Native Willow Poles
Up Close Willow Pole