Wetlands & Ponds

Overview

Wetlands can be described as an area where water covers or saturates the soil for an extended period of time.  A few types of wetlands include: marshes, swamps, natural pools, pocosins, bogs, Carolina bays and manmade impoundments. The quantity of water and period of saturation influences the vegetation growing in these unique habitats. You can find wetlands throughout North Carolina from the mountains to the coast. Wetlands are an essential part of our ecosystem providing natural filtration for our water, flood protection, recreational opportunities, and habitat for wildlife. 

Wetlands may be best known for providing habitat for migrating birds. Birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and shore birds use wetlands to rest and feed as they travel south to their wintering habitats. However, the diverse characteristic of wetlands across the state sustain an array of common and rare plants and animals. Bog turtles in the mountains, marbled salamanders in the piedmont and gopher frog in the sandhills are just a few species which must have wetlands to survive. Water is surrounded by life, and where wetlands occur you will find an array of birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, mollusks, crustaceans, and fish.

Manmade Wetlands

Natural Wetlands

Best Management Practices

  • Moist‑soil drawdowns
  • Flooded timber schedules
  • Ephemeral pool protection/creation
  • Beaver pond water‑level management 

Species That Use This Habitat

  • Wood ducks
  • Shorebirds
  • Herons & egrets
  • Marsh rabbit 
  • Mink, muskrat & beaver
  • Snakes, frogs & salamanders 

Key Ecological Features

  • Moist‑soil management: staged drawdowns for natural plant germination; slow reflooding in fall (Sept–Oct) for migrating waterfowl. 
  • Flooded timber: flood mid‑Oct–late Feb only; drain before leaf‑out; vary dates/depths/duration each year. 
  • Ephemeral pools: critical amphibian breeding sites without fish; protect existing pools and upland buffers; construct small pools in suitable soils. 
  • Beaver ponds: keystone habitats; modest drawdowns can enhance foods; manage levels and conflicts thoughtfully. 

Management Strategies

General Wildlife Management

  • Place wood duck nesting structures
  • Fence stream banks to exclude livestock
  • Study soils and hydrology before construction
  • Consult agencies for restoration projects 

Species‑Specific Approaches

Waterfowl

Flood grain (corn/sorghum) Oct 15–Mar 30; allow weeds in planted fields to add foods. 

Amphibians

Protect ephemeral pools and adjacent uplands; avoid aggressive plant introductions; accept natural dry‑down in summer. 

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