Maxwell’s wetlands help with flood, polutant control Published April 30, 2010 By Airman 1st Class Christopher Stoltz Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The 42nd Civil Engineering Squadron hosted a wetlands awareness tour April 22 to highlight the importance of preserving and maintaining Maxwell's sixteen wetland areas. The tour consisted of a 45-minute walkthrough of wetland areas located on River Road and educated tour-goers about wetland areas on base. Beth Osgood, natural resources manager with the 42nd Civil Engineering Squadron, described what wetlands do for the area, the number of wetlands on Maxwell and where they are located. "The wetlands occupy approximately 20 acres, most in conjunction with the larger lakes on the golf course along the Alabama River. There are a few wetland areas along the southwest area of the base as well," she said. During heavy rainfall events, storm water runoff from the developed base areas flows into lakes and wetland areas. A portion of this water is captured and stored in wetland areas, decreasing the volume of water flowing into the Alabama River and lowering the risk of flooding. Pollutants washed away by the storm water may settle out in the wetland areas, which reduce pollutants flowing into the river. The area acts like a filter, cleaning the water and replenishing the groundwater supply. Wetlands also provide wildlife habitat. Jared Kennington, 42nd CES, finished the tour with a list of what designates an area as a wetland. "There are three key factors. One requirement is wetland hydrology, (the second requirement is) the area must contain wetland vegetation, and the last requirement is the area must contain hydric soil. "If the area contains standing water for a decent portion of the year and contains plants that thrive in saturated conditions, then it meets the requirements to be called a wetland," Mr. Kennington said. "The wetlands may seem like swamps and marshes to most people, but they are more important than people think, and it is everyone's responsibility to protect and preserve them," Mr. Kennington said. For more information on the wetlands and wetland preservation, contact Beth Osgood at 493-6417.