Wetland Delineation with Emphasis on Soils and Hydrology
Course Overview
This course satisfies the requirements for basic wetland delineation training as specified by the Corps of Engineers and certification programs in many states. Materials and content are the same as identified in our Basic Wetland Delineation classes with additional time spent developing a stronger foundation in important aspects of soils and Hydrology. This course includes an additional field day beyond what is offered in the Basic Wetland Delineation course. Expect to spend a minimum of 24-lecture-contact-hours online. The Part 1 online lectures must be completed prior to attending your chosen field session. You can proceed at your own pace, reviewing lectures as many times as you wish for one year from the date you start the course. Successful completion of course requires participation at one in-person 24-contact-hour field session.
Resources: Field Packing List | Sample Field Practicum Agenda | Printable Course Curriculum (forthcoming)
48 contact hours
24 hours + 24 hours in field
Unless otherwise noted, field sessions run from 8:00 am until 5:30 pm each day.
Scoles, Smith, B. Whited, M Whited
Click the registration link next to a specific field course location below to view recommended logding in that area.
Your Course Includes
Pocket Guide to Hydric Soil Field Indicators
This field guide is based on the National Technical Committee on Hydric Soils’ Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States v. 8.0.
Downloadable Resources
Receive lecture slides for note-taking and essential electronic resources for ongoing reference.
Certificate of Completion
You will receive a certificate of completion with instructional contact hours documented once you have completed all course requirements (i.e. online lectures, field practicum, discussion forum participation).
Frequently asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
Once your registration is confirmed and payment is complete, you may begin the online lectures at any time. The online portion must be completed before the in-person field practicum. You will have access to the course content for one year from your start date.
Can I view lectures at my own pace?
Yes! You can view and review the lectures as often as you like for one year from the date you start the course.
Can I have face-to-face interaction with the Instructor?
You will have face-to-face interaction with your field practicum instructor to ensure you understand all the material as well as standard field practices. During the online componenet of the course, please contact the instructor via the discussion board or our direct messaging system from the member’s area.
Does this course count towards my certification program?
Your certificate of completion can be used to document instructional hours received in this topic. You should contact the specific certifying agency or association directly to find out how they will assess or credit this WTI course. Typically, our courses are accepted by all state and national certifying agencies and associations; however, you should confirm that with the specific certification program to which you are applying or renewing.
Field Practicum Locations
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Course Curriculum
The following lectures focus on the application of the Regional Supplements and the portions of the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual still valid as used by the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and numerous state governments. Learn the technical guidelines for wetland delineations, field indicators of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology, methods for making jurisdictional determinations and methods to apply in difficult situations. Spend additional time on important aspects of soils and hydrology.
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Course Logistics for WDESH (5 minutes)
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Downloadable Resources – WDESH Part 1
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Discussion: Welcome and Introduce Yourself Here
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Discussion: I have questions or comments
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Welcome to Wetland Delineation with Emphasis on Soils and Hydrology Online Lectures (forthcoming)
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Reading Assignment: “Classification and Types of Wetlands” (15 min)
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Introduction to Wetlands, the 1987 Manual, and Regional Supplements (44 minutes)
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Reading Assignment: Chapter 1, Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Delineation Manual (1 hour)
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Hydrology Fundamentals – Part 1 (46 minutes)
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Hydrology Fundamentals – Part 2 (19 minutes)
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Landscape Relations (1 hour, 30 minutes)
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Reading Assignment: Chapter 4, Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Delineation Manual (15 minutes)
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Wetland Hydrology Indicators Part 1 (36 minutes)
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Wetland Hydrology Indicators Part 2 (36 minutes)
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Hydrology in the Field demonstration (18 minutes)
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Soil Fundamentals (38 minutes)
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Soil Surveys (35 minutes)
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Reading Assignment: Concept of a Hydric Soil (20 min)
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Aspects of Soil Color (26 minutes)
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Redoximorphic Features (12 minutes)
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Reading Assignment: Chapter 3, Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Delineation Manual (20 minutes)
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Commonly Used Hydric Soil Field Indicators (52 minutes)
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Concept of a Hydrophyte (19 minutes) Preview
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Reading Assignment: Chapter 2, Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Delineation Manual (30 minutes)
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Hydrophytic Vegetation Indicators (28 minutes)
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Hydrophytic Vegetation Exercise Results
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Methods (28 minutes)
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Completing a Routine Data Form (24 minutes)
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Basic Wetland Delineation Pre-Field Quiz
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Downloadable Resources – WDESH Part 2
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Discussion: I have questions or comments
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Welcome to Part 2 of Wetland Delineation with Emphasis on Soils and Hydrology (6 minutes)
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Reading Assignment: Technical Standard for Water-Table Monitoring of Potential Wetland Sites (45 min)
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Soil and Groundwater Relationships (1 hour, 3 minutes)
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Assessing Drainage (24 minutes)
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Geographical Jurisdiction (52 minutes)
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Hydric Soil Field Indicators – The Other Ones (1 hour, 10 minutes)
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Reading Assignment: Identifying Hydric Soils Using Apha,Alpha’-Dipyridyl Dye (45 min)
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Problem Areas and Difficult Situations (1 hour, 36 minutes)
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Problematic Soils (1 hour, 14 minutes)
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Disturbed/Atypical situations (1 hour, 13 minutes)
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Examples from the field – completing data forms (forthcoming)
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Anatomy of a Wetland Delineation Report (18 minutes)