Wetlands

The Honey Creek Watershed contains an abundance of high quality wetlands.  It was identified by the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) as one of the three most important wetland complexes in the Miami Valley.  The wetlands in the Honey Creek Watershed are especially important because they:

1. Provide flood control

2. Filter nutrients and pollutants out of our water

3. Provide an area where groundwater can recharge the aquifer

4. Are important wildlife habitat

Over 290 wetlands have been documented in the watershed!  A concentration of pristine wetlands exists along the Honey Creek, between New Carlisle and Tipp City.  The Honey Creek Watershed Association identified these important wetlands and assisted in protecting of over 400 acres of land!

What is a Wetland?

A wetland must have three (3) characteristics: hydrology, wetland vegetation, and hydric soils.  Since wetlands are regularly saturated with water, plants have adapted special ways of coping with the wet conditions.  The chemistry of the soil also changes due to prolonged periods of wetness.  These clues help wetland scientists identify wetland areas.

Honey Creek Wetlands

Many wetlands occur along rivers and serve as floodplains when water levels rise.  This creates a unique habitat that special plants and animals have adapted to living in.  The photograph above was taken in a forested floodplain wetland along Honey Creek, just west of New Carlisle.  Since our main drinking water aquifer is located beneath the Honey Creek corridor, these wetlands serve an extra important function of improving water quality and allowing surface water to replenish the aquifer.

What is Being Done?    

In addition to assisting in the preservation of over 400 acres of riparian land along Honey Creek, the Honey Creek Watershed Association is actively involved in restoring wetlands that have been converted to farmland many decades ago.  By installing groundwater monitoring wells (photo to the left) and connecting the financial resources with critical areas for restoration, the Association is protecting and enhancing our unique wetlands.