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Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically and updated if needed. To obtain 

the current version of this standard, contact your Natural Resources Conservation Service 

State Office or visit the Field Office Technical Guide.

NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE

CONSERVATION PRACTICE STANDARD

WETLAND CREATION

(Ac.)

CODE 658

DEFINITION

The creation of a wetland on a site location that 

was historically non-wetland.

PURPOSE

To establish wetland hydrology, vegetation, 

and wildlife habitat functions on soils capable 

of supporting those functions. 

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES

This practice applies only to sites where hydric 

soils do not exist and the objective is to 

establish specific wetland functions.

This practice does not apply to: 

• The treatment of point and non-point 

sources of water pollution (Constructed 

Wetland – Code 656).

• The rehabilitation of a degraded wetland or 

the reestablishment of a former wetland so 

that soils, hydrology, vegetative 

community, and habitat are a close 

approximation of the original natural 

condition and boundary that existed prior to 

the modification. (Wetland Restoration –

Code 657).

• The rehabilitation of a degraded wetland, 

the reestablishment of a former wetland, or 

the modification of an existing wetland, 

where specific wetland functions are 

augmented beyond the original natural 

conditions; possibly at the expense of other 

functions. (Wetland Enhancement – Code 

659).

• The management of fish and wildlife 

habitat created under this standard.

CRITERIA

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes

The purpose, goals, and objectives of the 

creation shall be clearly defined in the creation 

plan, including soils, hydrology, vegetation and 

fish and wildlife habitat criteria that are to be 

met and are appropriate for the site and the 

project objectives.

The soils, hydrology and vegetative conditions

existing on the site, the adjacent landscape,

and the contributing watershed shall be 

documented in the planning process.

The nutrient and pesticide tolerance of the 

plant and animal species likely to occur shall 

be considered where known nutrient and 

pesticide contamination exists. Sites suspected 

of containing hazardous material shall be 

tested to identify appropriate remedial 

measures. If remedial measures are not 

possible or practicable, the practice shall not 

be planned.

Water rights, if applicable, shall be assured 

prior to creation.

Upon completion, the site shall meet the 

appropriate wetland criteria and provide 

wetland functions as defined in the project’s 

objectives.

Invasive species, federal/state listed noxious 

plant species, and nuisance species (e.g., 

those whose presence or overpopulation 

jeopardize the practice) shall be controlled on 

the site. The establishment and/or use of nonnative plant species shall be discouraged.
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Criteria for Soils

Created wetlands shall be located in landscape 

positions and soil types capable of supporting 

the planned wetland functions.

Changes to soil hydrodynamic and biogeochemical properties such as permeability, 

porosity, pH, or soil organic carbon levels shall 

be made as needed to meet the planned 

objectives.

Criteria for Hydrology

The hydroperiod, hydrodynamics, and 

dominant water source shall meet the project 

objectives. The creation plan shall document 

the adequacy of available water sources based 

on groundwater investigation, stream gage 

data, water budgeting, or other appropriate 

means.

The work associated with the wetland shall not 

adversely affect adjacent properties or other 

water users unless agreed to by signed written 

letter, easement or permit.

Timing and level setting of water control 

structures required for the establishment and 

maintenance of vegetation, soil, and wildlife 

and fish habitat functions shall be determined.

Other structural practices, macrotopography 

and/or microtopography may be used to meet 

the planned objectives.

Macrotopographic features, including ditch 

plugs installed in lieu of re-filling surface 

drainage ditches, shall meet the requirements 

of other practice standards to which they may 

apply due to purpose, size, water storage 

capacity, hazard class, or other parameters. If 

no other practice standard applies, they shall 

meet the requirement s for Dike – Code 356 

unless there is no potential for damage to the 

feature or other areas on or off site due to 

erosion, breaching, or overtopping.

Water control structures that may impede the 

movement of target aquatic species or species 

of concern shall meet the criteria in Fish 

Passage – Code 396.

Criteria for Vegetation

Hydrophytic vegetation planned to meet the 

selected wetland functions shall be compatible 

with the planned soil and hydrologic conditions.

Preference shall be given to native wetland 

plants with localized genetic material. 

Where natural colonization of acceptable 

species can realistically be expected to occur

within five years, sites may be left to revegetate 

naturally. If not, the appropriate species will be 

established by seeding or planting.

Adequate substrate material and site 

preparation necessary for proper establishment 

of the selected plant species shall be included 

in the plan.

Where planting and/or seeding is necessary, 

the minimum number of native species to be 

established shall be based upon the types of 

vegetative communities present and the 

vegetation type planned. To achieve habitat 

diversity and minimize the adverse effects of 

climate, disease, and other limiting factors, 

several species adapted to the site will be 

established. Seeding rates shall be based upon

the percentage of pure live seed and labeled 

with a current seed tag from a registered seed 

laboratory identifying the germination rate, 

purity analysis, and other seed statistics.

CONSIDERATIONS

Hydrology Considerations

Consider the general hydrologic effects of the 

restoration, including:

• Impacts on downstream stream 

hydrographs, volumes of surface runoff, 

and groundwater resources due to 

changes of water use and movement 

created by the restoration.

Consider the impacts of water level 

management, including:

• Increased predation due to concentrating

aquatic organisms, including herptivores, in

small pool areas during drawdowns.

• Increased predation of amphibians due to 

high water levels that can sustain 

predators.

• Decreased ability of aquatic organisms to 

move within the wetland and from the 

wetland area to adjacent habitats, including 

anadromous fish and herptivores, as water 

levels are decreased. 

• Increases in water temperature on-site, 

and in off-site receiving waters.
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• Changes in the quantity and direction of 

movement of subsurface flows due to 

increases or decreases in water depth.

• The effect changes in hydrologic regime

have on soil bio-geochemical properties; 

including oxidation/reduction, maintenance 

of organic soils, and salinity increase or 

decrease on adjacent areas.

• The potential for water control structures, 

dikes, and macrotopographic to negatively 

impact aquatic organism passage.

Vegetation Considerations

Consider:

• The relative effects of planting density on 

wildlife habitat versus production rates in 

woody plantings.

• The potential for vegetative buffers to 

increase function by trapping sediment, 

cycling nutrients, and removing pesticides.

• The selection of vegetation for the 

protection of structural measures that is 

appropriate for wetland function.

• The selection of vegetation for the 

protection of structural measures that is 

appropriate for wetland function.

• The potential for invasive or noxious plant 

species to establish on bare soils after 

construction and before the planned plant 

community is established.

Soil Considerations

Consider changes of physical soil properties, 

including:

• Increasing or decreasing saturated 

hydraulic conductivity by mechanical 

compaction or tillage, as appropriate.

• Incorporating soil amendments.

• The effect of construction equipment on 

soil density, infiltration, and structure.

Consider changes in soil bio-geochemical 

properties, including:

• Increasing soil organic carbon by 

incorporating compost.

• Increasing or decreasing soil pH with 

lime, gypsum, or other compounds.

Wildlife Habitat Considerations

Consider:

• The addition of coarse woody debris on 

sites to be restored to woody plant 

communities for an initial carbon source.

• The potential to restore habitat capable of 

supporting wildlife with the ability to control 

disease vectors such as mosquitoes.

• The potential to establish fish and wildlife 

corridors linking the site to adjacent 

landscapes, streams and waterbodies and 

to increase the sites colonization by native 

flora.

• The need to provide barriers to passage 

for unwanted or predatory wildlife species.

PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Plans and specifications for this practice shall 

be prepared for each site. Plans and 

specifications shall be recorded using 

approved specifications sheets, job sheets, or 

other documentation. The plans and 

specifications for structural features will 

include, at a minimum, a plan view, quantities, 

and sufficient profiles and cross-sections to 

define the location, line, and grade for stakeout 

and checkout. Plans and specifications shall 

be reviewed and approved by staff with 

appropriate job approval authority.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

A separate Operation and Maintenance Plan 

will be prepared for sites that have structural 

features. The plan will include specific actions 

for the normal and repetitive operation of 

installed structural items, especially water 

control structures, if included in the project. 

The plan will also include the maintenance 

actions necessary to assure that constructed 

items are maintained as constructed for the life 

of the project. It will include the inspection 

schedule, a list of items to inspect, a checklist 

of potential damages to look for, recommended

repairs, and procedures for documentation.

Management and monitoring activities needed 

to ensure the continued success of the wetland 

functions may be included in the above plan, or 

in a separate Management and Monitoring 

Plan. In addition to the monitoring schedule, 

this plan may include the following:
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• The timing and methods for the use of 

fertilizers, pesticides, prescribed burning, 

or mechanical treatments

• Circumstances when the use of biological 

control of undesirable plant species and 

pests (e.g. using predator or parasitic 

species) is appropriate, and the approved 

methods.

• Actions which specifically address any 

expected problems from invasive or 

noxious species

• The circumstances which require the 

removal of accumulated sediment.

• Conditions which indicate the need to use 

haying or grazing as a management tool, 

including timing and methods.

REFERENCES

Executive Order 13112, Invasive Species, 

February 3, 1999. Federal Register: vol.64, 

no.25. Feb. 8, 1999.

http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgibin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=1999_register&docid=

99-3184-filed.pdf

Galatowitsch, Susan, et al, 1994. Restoring 

Prairie Wetlands: an ecological approach. Iowa 

State University Press, Ames IA. 246 pp.

Hurt, G.W. and V.W. Carlisle, 2001. 

Delineating Hydric Soils, in Wetland Soils –

Genesis, Hydrology, Landscapes and 

Classification. Edited by J.L. Richardson and 

M.J Vepraskas. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL 

pp. 183 – 206.

Kingsbury, Bruce & Joanne Gibson, 2002. 

Habitat Management Guidelines for 

Amphibians and Reptiles of the Midwest. 

Partners in Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, 

Ft Wayne IN, 57 pp. 

Maschhoff, Justin T & James H. Dooley, 2001. 

Functional Requirements and Design 

Parameters for Restocking Coarse Woody 

Features in Restored Wetlands, ASAE 

Meeting Presentation, Paper No: 012059.

USDA, NRCS. 2002. Field Indicators of Hydric 

Soils in the U.S., Version 5.0. G.W. Hurt, P.M. 

Whited and R.F. Pringle (eds.). USDA, NRCS 

in cooperation with the National Technical 

Committee for Hydric Soils, Fort Worth, TX. 

ftp://ftpfc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NSSC/Hydric_Soils/FieldIn

dicators_v6_0.pdf

USDA, NRCS. Wetland Restoration, 

Enhancement or Creation. Engineering Field 

Handbook Chapter 13, Part 650. 121 pp.

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WLI/wre&m.pdf

USDA-NRCS. 2000. Indiana Biology Technical 

Note 1.

http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Programs/WRP/pdfs/

In-final.pdf

USDA, NRCS, 2003. ECS 190-15 Wetland 

Restoration, Enhancement, Management & 

Monitoring. 425 pp. 

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WLI/wre&m.pdf

Vepraskas, M.J., ands S. W. Sprecher (eds), 

1997. Aquic Conditions and Hydric Soils: The 

Problem Soils. Soil Science Society of America

Special Publication Number 50. SSSA, Inc. 

Madison, WI.