Knowing whether wetlands are located in or around your wind energy project footprint and what type of wetlands they are is important.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory has an interactive Wetlands Mapper available for use.
Quick instructions for use:
- Zoom into the area you are interested in until the different wetland types appear in the legend. If you are too far out, the legend will say Wetlands Mapping Status.
- Click on a wetland for more information.
- Decode the classification code.
- Use the table below to correlate the wetland type provided by the wetland mapper and wetland type listed in county zoning ordinances.
Cowardin Water Regime (Wetland Mapper code) | Stewart and Kantrud class (USFW code used by County Zoning) |
Temporarily flooded (A) | Class I- ephemeral ponds |
Temporarily flooded (A) | Class II- temporary ponds |
Seasonally flooded (C) | Class III- seasonal ponds and lakes |
Semipermanently flooded (F) | Class IV- semipermanent ponds and lakes |
Permanently flooded (H) | Class V- permanent ponds and lakes |
NA | Class VI- alkali ponds and lakes |
NA | Class VII- fen (alkaline bog) ponds |
NWI Cowardin Codes can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Wetland-Codes.html.
NOTE: The Cowardin System is the preferred wetland classification system in Nebraska.
Wetland Information
Nebraska's wetlands are diverse and include marshes, lakes, river and stream backwaters, oxbows, wet meadows, fens, forested swamps, and seep areas.
Some of Nebraska's wetlands only hold water following a rain and are dry other times of the year, while others hold water year-round.
Wetlands can:
- Improve water quality;
- Provide habitat for wildlife, fish, and unusual plants;
- Reduce flooding;
- Produce food and fiber;
- Supply water;
- Provide recreation and education opportunities.
More Information: GUIDE TO NEBRASKA'S WETLANDS and their conservation needs