Semester

Summer

Date of Graduation

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Committee Chair

Donald D. Gray.

Abstract

The goal of this study was to increase the probability of success for future mitigation wetland projects by performing a hydrologic investigation at three constructed mitigation wetland sites and one natural reference wetland site. In addition, a numerical groundwater model was developed for a portion of one of the constructed mitigation wetlands.;Hydrologic, meteorologic, topographic, and geotechnical data were collected at three constructed mitigation wetlands and one reference natural wetland. Hydrologic data were collected using monitoring wells, piezometers, automated water level recorders, and a water level meter. Meteorologic data were obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather station in Elkins, West Virginia. Topographic data were collected using traditional surveying techniques. Geotechnical data were inferred from bag samples obtained during hydrologic monitoring device installation, from Shelby tubes, and from in-situ slug tests. These data were used to compare hydrologic conditions at the constructed mitigation wetlands to the natural reference wetland. In addition, a detailed numerical groundwater model was developed for one of the mitigation sites.;Persistent sources of groundwater were determined to be the most important factor favoring the successful development of the mitigation wetlands. Areas at the mitigation sites that were not developing satisfactorily were found to have the deepest and most variable groundwater levels. It is recommended that future wetland mitigation sites be selected where groundwater can be used as the primary source of water.

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