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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 RESTORATION

(Ac.)

CODE 657

DEFINITION

The return of a wetland and its functions to a 

close approximation of its original condition as 

it existed prior to disturbance on a former or 

degraded wetland site.

PURPOSE 

To restore wetland function, value, habitat, 

diversity, and capacity to a close

approximation of the pre-disturbance

conditions by restoring:

• Conditions conducive to hydric soil

maintenance.

• Wetland hydrology (dominant water 

source, hydroperiod, and hydrodynamics).

• Native hydrophytic vegetation (including 

the removal of undesired species, and/or 

seeding or planting of desired species).

• Original fish and wildlife habitats.

CONDITIONS WHERE PRACTICE APPLIES

This practice applies only to natural wetland 

sites with hydric soils which have been subject 

to the degradation of hydrology, vegetation, or 

soils.

This practice is applicable only where the 

natural hydrologic conditions can be 

approximated by actions such as modifying 

drainage, restoring stream/floodplain 

connectivity, removing diversions, dikes, and 

levees, and/or by using a natural or artificial 

water source to provide conditions similar to 

the original, natural conditions. 

This practice does not apply to:

• The treatment of point and non-point 

sources of water pollution (Constructed 

Wetland - 656); 

• 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 -

659);

• The creation of a wetland on a site location 

which was historically non-wetland

(Wetland Creation - 658). 

• The management of fish and wildlife 

habitat on wetlands restored under this 

standard.

CRITERIA

General Criteria Applicable to All Purposes

The purpose, goals, and objectives of the 

restoration shall be clearly defined in the 

restoration 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.

These planning steps shall be done with the

use of a functional assessment-type 

procedure, or a state approved equivalent. The 

objectives will be determined by an analysis of 

current and historic site functions. They will be 

based on those functions which can 

reasonably be supported by current site 

constraints. Data from historic and recent 

aerial photography and/or other remotely 

sensed data, soil maps, topographic maps, 

stream gage data, intact reference wetlands,

and historical records shall be gathered.

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 
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plant and animal species likely to occur shall 

be evaluated 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.

The availability of sufficient water rights should 

be reviewed prior to restoration.

Upon completion, the site shall meet soil, 

hydrology, vegetation and habitat conditions of 

the wetland that previously existed on the site 

to the extent practicable. 

Where offsite hydrologic alterations or the 

presence of invasive species impact the site, 

the design shall compensate for these impacts

to the extent practicable.

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 as necessary to restore wetland 

functions. The establishment and/or use of 

non-native plant species shall be discouraged.

Criteria for Hydric Soil Restoration

Restoration sites will be located on soils that 

are hydric. 

If the hydric soil is covered by fill, sediment, 

spoil, or other depositional material, the 

material covering the hydric soil shall be 

removed to the extent needed to restore the 

original soil functions.

Soil hydrodynamic and bio-geochemical 

properties such as permeability, porosity, pH, 

or soil organic carbon levels shall be restored 

to the extent needed to restore hydric soil 

functions.

Criteria for Hydrology Restoration

The hydroperiod, hydrodynamics, and 

dominant water source of the restored site 

shall approximate the conditions that existed 

before alteration. The restoration 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, if needed, will be based on the 

actions needed to maintain a close 

approximation of the original, natural 

hydrologic conditions.

The original natural water supply should be 

used to reestablish the site’s hydrology to

approximate the hydrologic conditions of the 

wetland type. If this is not possible, an 

alternate natural or artificial water supply can 

be used; however, these sources shall not be 

diverted from other wetland resources. If the 

alternate water source requires energy inputs, 

these shall be estimated and documented in 

the restoration plan.

To the extent technically feasible reestablish 

macrotopography and/or microtopography. 

Use reference sites within the local area to 

determine desired topographic relief. The 

location, size, and geometry of earthen 

structures, if needed, shall match that of the 

original macrotopographic features to the 

extent practicable.

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 requirements for Dike – 356 unless

there is no potential for damage to the feature 

or other areas on or off site due to erosion, 

breaching, or overtopping.

Excavations from within the wetland shall 

remove sediment to approximate the original 

topography or establish a water level that will 

compensate for the sediment that remains.

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.

Wetland restoration sites that exhibit soil 

oxidation and/or subsidence, resulting in a 

lower surface elevation compared to predisturbance, shall take into account the

appropriate hydrologic regime needed to 

support the original wetland functions.
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Criteria for Vegetative Restoration 

Hydrophytic vegetation restoration shall be of 

species typical for the wetland type(s) being 

established and the varying hydrologic regimes 

and soil types within the wetland. 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 5 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 on a reference 

wetland with the type of vegetative 

communities and species planned on the 

restoration site:

• Where the dominant vegetation will be 

herbaceous community types, a subset of 

the original vegetative community shall be 

established within 5 years, or a suitable 

precursor to the original community will be 

established within 5 years that creates 

conditions suitable for the establishment of 

the native community. Species richness 

shall be addressed in the planning of 

herbaceous communities. 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.

• Where the dominant vegetation will be 

forest or woodland community types, 

vegetation establishment will include a mix

of woody species (trees and/or shrubs)

adequate to establish the reference 

wetland community.

CONSIDERATIONS

Soil Considerations

Consider making changes to 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

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 draw downs

• 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 fish and amphibians as water 

levels are decreased. 

• Increases in water temperature on-site, 

and in off-site receiving waters.

• 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 
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increase or decrease on site and on 

adjacent areas.

Vegetation Considerations

Consider:

• The relative effects of planting density on 

fish and 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 potential for invasive or noxious plant 

species to establish on bare soils after 

construction and before the planned plant 

community is established.

• The use of prescribed burning to restore 

wetland and adjacent upland plant 

communities.

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Considerations

Consider:

• The addition of coarse woody debris on 

sites to be restored to woody plant 

communities for an initial carbon source

and fish and wildlife cover.

• The potential to restore habitat capable of 

supporting fish and wildlife with the ability 

to control disease vectors such as 

mosquitoes.

• The potential to establish fish and wildlife 

corridors to link the site to adjacent 

landscapes, streams, and water bodies

and to increase the sites colonization by 

native flora.

• The need to provide barriers to passage 

for unwanted or predatory 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 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:

• 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:

Baber, M. J., D. L. Childers, K. J. Babbitt, and 

D. H. Anderson. 2002. Controls on fish 

distribution and abundance in temporary 
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wetlands. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 59: 1441–

1450.

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.

Hall, C.D. and F.J. Cuthbert. 2000. Impact of a 

controlled wetland drawdown on Blanding’s 

Turtles in Minnesota. Chelonian Conservation 

Biology. Vol. 3, No. 4, pp. 643-649Hurt, 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.

Kilgore, K.J. and J.A. Baker. 1996. Patterns of 

larval fish abundance in a bottomland 

hardwood wetland. Wetlands 16: 288-295.

King, A.J., P. Humphries and P.S. Lake. 2003. 

Fish recruitment on floodplains: the roles of 

patterns of flooding and life history 

characteristics. Canadian Journal of Fisheries 

and Aquatic Sciences 60:773-786.

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. 

Kwak, T.J. 1988. Lateral movement and use of 

floodplain habitat by fishes of the Kankakee 

River, Illinois. Am. Midland Naturalist 120(2): 

241-249.

M.J. Vepraskas ands S. W. Sprecher editors, 

1997. Aquic Conditions and Hydric Soils: The 

Problem Soils. Soil Science Society of America 

Special Publication Number 50. SSSA, Inc. 

Madison, WI.

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.

Pearsons, T. N., H. Li, and G. Lamberti. 1992. 

Influence of habitat complexity on resistance to 

flooding and resilience of stream fish 

assemblages. Trans. Amer. Fish. Soc. 121: 

427-436.

USDA, NRCS, 2003. ECS 190-15 Wetland 

Restoration, Enhancement, Management & 

Monitoring. 425 pp.

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/WLI/wre&m.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. 2002. Field Indicators of Hydric 

Soils in the U.S., Version 6.0. 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://ftp.fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NSSC/Hydric_Soil

s/FieldIndicators_v6_0.pdf

USDA-NRCS. 2000. Indiana Biology Technical 

Note 1.

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

In-final.pdf

USDA-NRCS. Hydric Soil Technical Note 13, 

Deliberations of the National Technical 

Committee for Hydric Soils (NTCHS).

ftp://ftpfc.sc.egov.usda.gov/NSSC/Hydric_Soils/note1

3.pdf