Methodology to Assess Soil, Hydrologic, and Site Parameters that Affect Wetland Restoration

Juniper Bay is a 750 acre Carolina Bay that was purchased by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for wetland restoration. This report summarizes the current condition of the site and reviews its history, geology, hydrology, soils, and also provides data on the target or reference areas that the Bay will be restored to. Juniper Bay was converted to agriculture in the 1970’s when its timber was removed and the area was ditched, drained, and fertilized for row crop production. The fertilization increased the levels of plant nutrients in the upper 12 in. of soil to levels approximately five times greater than those found in the original soil. Despite the fertile nature of the soils, nutrient levels in drainage waters were low. A water budget indicated that ground water could comprise between 10 and 35% of the total water input to the Bay. A more precise estimate will require better estimates of evapotranspiration. Evaluation of restoration methodologies indicated that in order for the site to meet the 12.5% criterion the ditches would have to be plugged, field crowns removed, and surface roughness increased. This scenario was developed assuming that ground water inflow did not have a significant impact on water table levels. Examination of vegetation soils in natural bays indicated that pond pine woodland is the most appropriate target community for the existing soils in Juniper Bay. Subsidence of the organic soil surface by up to 2 ft precludes high pocosin or bay forest plant communities for Juniper Bay.

• Record URL:
  https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/research/Pages/ProjDetails.aspx?ProjectID=2001-09
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Supported by a grant from the US Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Transportation through the Center for Transportation and the Environment, NC State University.
• Corporate Authors:

  North Carolina State University, Raleigh

  Department of Soil Science, Botany, and Agricultural Engineering, and Forestry
  Box 7619
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27695-7619

  North Carolina Department of Transportation

  P.O. Box 25201, 1 South Wilmington Street
  Raleigh, NC  United States  27611

  Research and Special Programs Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Vepraskas, M J
  • White, J G
  • Huffman, R L
  • Fernandez, G P
  • Skaggs, R W
  • Lees, B
  • Zanner, C W
  • Stucky, J M
  • Gregory, J D
  • Broome, W S
  • Ewing, J M
  • Szuch, R P
  • Luginbhul, S
  • Kreiser, G S
• Publication Date: 2005-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 312p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bays; Drainage; Ecosystems; Environmental quality; Evapotranspiration; Fertilization (Horticulture); Groundwater; Hydrology; Land use; Natural resources; Restoration ecology; Soils; Wetlands
• Geographic Terms: Juniper Bay (North Carolina); North Carolina
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01032989
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/NC/2003-06
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 12 2006 4:12PM