Development of wetlands in aging reservoirs: Opportunities to enhance wetland capacity and improve water quality.


Start Date: 2016

End Date: 2017

Full Citation:

Environmental Protection Agency Region 7/Kansas Water Office, 2016-2017, $332,585, " Development of wetlands in aging reservoirs: Opportunities to enhance wetland capacity and improve water quality." PI: V. Rahmani, Co-PIs: P. Liechti, J. DeNoyelles, C.C. Freeman, D. Huggins, J. Kastens, E. Martinko.

Category:

  • Aquatic

Associated with the KU Field Station: No

Research Summary:

We identified, mapped, and assessed the riverine segments of 18 Kansas reservoirs for the extent and occurrence of potential wetland areas and to characterize these areas to determine wetland functions. In addition, we identified potential impacts of these riverine areas on reservoir water quality. It is within the riverine segments of these old reservoirs that functioning wetlands have evolved or are in the process of evolving as a consequence of the reservoir aging process. Sediment infilling and nutrient enrichment and resuspension occurring within riverine segments have, in part, created conditions that promoted the development of certain types of wetlands. This project quantified and characterized the number and types of wetlands associated with these aging reservoir systems, especially those maintained by the conservation pool. For results see these reports:

  1. Rahmani, V., D.G. Huggins, J. Kastens, D. Baker, K. Loeffler. 2018. Development of wetlands in aging reservoirs: Opportunities to enhance wetland capacity and improve water quality. Kansas Biological Survey Report No. 203. 67 pp.
  2. Loeffler, K.M., V. Rahmani, J.H. Kastens, and D.H. Huggins. 2018. An examination of the potential wetland development landscape around managed reservoirs in the central U.S. Great Plains. Applied Geography, 93: 16-24. DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2018.02.010.