Mineral soils that are saturated much of the time become dull-colored or gleyed. Gleyed soils are neutral gray and occasionally greenish or bluish gray. Mineral soils saturated for short periods develop spots or blotches of different colors. These spots are called mottles and can be an indication of hydric or wetland soils. Wetland Hydrology Hydrology is the third criterion used in describing a wetland.
Hydrology refers to the presence or flow of water through the site.
Often, aerial photographs, personal interviews with neighbors, and visual evidence are used to determine wetland hydrology. Wetland Delineation Wetland areas are identified on site using vegetation, soils, and hydrology. The hardest part of defining a wetland is locating the boundary between the wetland and upland. This is called wetland delineation. When any of the above three criteria are no longer present, legally, you are out of a wetland and into the upland area.