Emergent plants are important for wildlife and evapotranspiration. This zone is most common to Swale designs from the center of the Swale to, typically, the water quality stage elevation. It is often designed as benches within ponds to optimize the area for emergent plants. The emergent zone of a wet pond is generally 0 to 18 inches deep. Zone 5 - Upland zone seldom or never inundated Zone 4 - Floodplain zone flooded during snowmelt and large storms Zone 3 - Wet meadow zone permanent moisture Zone 2 - Emergent zone (0 - 18 inches of water) A wide variety of species are well adapted to the upland zone and their selection will depend on the site conditions. Zone 5 (Upland zone) – The upland zone is seldom or never inundated. The ability of floodplain species to handle extremes in hydrology make them well suited to the edges of wet ponds and detention ponds. Floodplain species must be adapted to extremes in hydrology they may be inundated for long periods in the spring and be dry during the summer. If a wet pond has a steep side slope, it may go directly from zone 3 (wet meadow zone) to zone 5 (upland zone) without having a floodplain zone. Floodplain zones are generally flat terraces and are common along rivers and streams. These depressions would be considered either Zone 1-3, depending on depth and duration of inundation. It should be noted that small depression storage can be built into this zone as wetland storage areas for additional treatment and habitat enhancement. This zone can occur in Swales designed with 2-stages of inundation one for water quality storage and the second for channel protection storage. Zone 4 (Floodplain zone) – The floodplain zone is normally dry but may flood during snowmelt and after large storms. In addition to wet-meadow grasses, sedges, flowers and shrubs, such as dogwoods, willows, buttonbush and chokeberry, are well suited to this zone. This zone extends from Zone 2 to the Zone 4 and is common in swale designs. Therefore, it is an important area for plant establishment. ![]() The transition area between open water and the shoreline is prone to erosion. Zone 3 (Wet meadow zone) – The wet meadow zone is a constantly moist area that can become inundated. However, large fluctuations in water level and pollutants within wet ponds may limit the number of species. A wide variety of wetland species are adapted to the emergent zone. They also provide habitat for phytoplankton, which play an important role in nutrient removal (Ogle and Hoag 2000). Zone 2 (Emergent zone) – The emergent zone of a wet pond is generally 0 to 18 inches deep. Many submergent species establish on their own (Ogle and Hoag 2000). Submergent species are not readily available from native plant nurseries and can be difficult to plant. Submergent species are important for wildlife habitat and pollutant removal, especially nitrates and phosphorus. Submergent species may float free in the water column or may root in the pool bottom and have stems and leaves that generally stay under water. Submergent vegetation makes up this zone because emergent vegetation generally does not grow deeper than 3 feet. ![]() Therefore, it is an unlikely zone to include in a Swale design, though exceptions may occur. Zone 1 (Submergent zone) – The submergent zone is found in areas of 3-6 feet of water in wet ponds. Zone 5:Upland zone seldom or never inundated (the upland zone includes prairie and forest plant communities). ![]() Zone 4: Floodplain zone flooded during snowmelt and large storms. ![]()
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