Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute

“connecting people, place and community”

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PCEI Nature Center Wetland Enhancement Project

Watershed: Paradise Creek
Stream Name: Paradise Creek
Date Established: 11/01/2006
Project Status: Complete, maintenance and monitoring ongoing

Overview

Funding Agency: Idaho Fish and Game Department; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; Private donors

Project Location: Latitude: 46.7458 N, Longitude: -116.9889 N

Target Pollutants:Sediment

Waterbody Type(s): Wetland

Hydrologic Unit Code: 17060108

Description

PCEI has completed construction and planting of six wetland cells, which will serve as a demonstration project providing on-site educational and native plant propagation opportunities. The enhancement project will also increase wildlife habitat and storm water holding and filtering capacity.

PCEI’s property is situated in a basin composed of upland grasses and a human-made pond. The wetlands currently supports many wildlife species including mallard , great blue heron , red-winged blackbirds, long-toed salamanders and spotted frogs. Ring-necked pheasant, several species of raptors and many different songbirds also frequent the property. Monitoring is ongoing.

During project construction, PCEI reduced the slopes of the existing pond and excavated an additional 5 wetlands in series throughout the Nature Center. The wetlands were designed collect storm water and snow melt and water from our irrigation activities in our nursery and gardens. The wetlands provide water filtration, storm water holding capacity and great habitat for native wildlife. In addition they improve the aesthetics and educational opportunities at the PCEI Nature Center.

Previous Conditions

The preexisting pond was 64 feet in diameter and at capacity reached a depth of 7 feet. During construction activities, the pond was drained and over 6 large trash cans were filled with gold fish from the pond. The gold fish were donated to the Washington State University Raptor Center. Prior to restoration, any water that was not captured in the pond or filtered through the soil made its way through the property eventually flowing into Hogg Creek, a tributary of Paradise Creek. During storm events the flow often caused flooding in the adjacent park and along the road leading to PCEI.

Photo History

Phase 1 Planting (November 2006): Many native species of wetland grasses, rushes and sedges were planted throughout the wetland project.

Wetland 5 Behind the Waxwing Office Building (November 2006): From the eastern portion of the property the water flows through the gardens and around the Waxwing before leaving PCEI and heading into Hogg Creek.

La Merc Creek (November 2006): The wetlands were designed to capture water from the irrigation of our Pantry Garden.

Following Construction (November 2006): Looking south at the wetland swales.

Pond Gets a New Look (November 2006): The pond with re-sloped banks following construction activities.

Student Volunteers (November 2006): Intermountain Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (IACURH) members getting ready to help plant wetland grass plugs and camas bulbs.

Volunteers Plant like Crazy! (November 2006): 600 plants planted in one hour!

Wetland Plants Find a New Home (November 2006): Native trees and shrubs from the PCEI Learning Nursery will be planted next.

Arbor Day Planting (April 2007): In celebration of Arbor Day, volunteers help plant native trees and shrubs throughout the wetlands.

  • Restoring Home
  • Restoration Projects
    • Snake River Subbasin
      • Tammany Creek
        • Lucky Acres Arena
        • Best Management Practices Demonstration Project
    • Clearwater River Subbasin
      • Schaub Ranch
      • Lindsay Creek
        • Walton, Cowger and Neilson Property
      • Partridge Creek
        • Christianson Meadows
      • Potlatch River
        • Troy High School Restoration of Little Bear Creek
      • South Fork Clearwater River
        • Rylaarsdam Project
        • Kirtner Property
        • Native Vegetation Establishment Project: A Multiple Landowner Cooperative
    • Palouse River Subbasin
      • South Fork of the Palouse River
        • Fountain Property
        • Howard Property
        • Mill Road Bank Stabilization Project
        • Upper Watershed Project, Robinson County Park
        • Lower Watershed Project
      • Deep Creek
        • Adler Property
        • Espy Property
      • Flannigan Creek
        • Broyles and Reynolds Property
      • Paradise Creek
        • Bailey-Davis-Shipley
        • Berman Creekside Park
        • Big Draw
        • Bridge Street Park
        • Bridge Street: Residential
        • Brockington
        • Carol Ryrie Brink Nature Park
        • Chipman Trail
        • Dogwood Court
        • Fire Station
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        • Good Samaritan Village
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        • Morton
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        • Moscow Wastewater Treatment Plant
        • Mountain View Park
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        • Remington
        • Renaissance Charter School
        • State Line
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        • Townsend Property
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        • Willard
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Mailing Address

Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute
PO Box 8596
Moscow ID 83843

*Please mail correspondence and checks to our PO Box, NOT our physical address. USPS does not deliver mail to 1040 Rodeo Drive. UPS and Fedex deliveries are accepted at our Rodeo address.

Contact Us

Phone: (208) 882-1444

Email: info@pcei.org

 

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