Wetlands
Wetlands are nurseries for fish and wildlife, purifiers for lakes, rivers and groundwater, and storage for floodwaters. They are also playgrounds for birders, hikers, hunters, and paddlers. In terms of hazard mitigation, they act as water storage devices in times of high water. Like sponges, wetlands are able to absorb excess water and release it back into the watershed slowly, preventing flooding and minimizing flood damage, including shoreline erosion. As more impermeable surfaces are developed, this excess capacity for water runoff storage becomes increasingly important.
Wetland plants and soils have the capacity to store and filter pollutants ranging from pesticides to animal wastes. Calm wetland waters, with their flat surface and flow characteristics, allow particles of toxins and nutrients to settle out of the water column. Plants take up certain nutrients from the water. Other substances can be stored or transformed to a less toxic state within wetlands. As a result, the lakes, rivers and streams are cleaner.
In Oneida County there are about 222,600 acres of wetlands – 28.2% of the land cover. That is more than the acreage of lakes, rivers, and streams in the County (73,980 acres, 9.4% of land cover in County).
Wetland plants and soils have the capacity to store and filter pollutants ranging from pesticides to animal wastes. Calm wetland waters, with their flat surface and flow characteristics, allow particles of toxins and nutrients to settle out of the water column. Plants take up certain nutrients from the water. Other substances can be stored or transformed to a less toxic state within wetlands. As a result, the lakes, rivers and streams are cleaner.
In Oneida County there are about 222,600 acres of wetlands – 28.2% of the land cover. That is more than the acreage of lakes, rivers, and streams in the County (73,980 acres, 9.4% of land cover in County).