The Role of Wetlands in Providing Flood Control Benefits

Abstract

The recent major flood events in North Dakota's Souris and Red River Basins have been linked to flood plain development, wetland drainage, changes in land use and a “wet cycle.” All these factors can influence the degree of flooding. This paper will discuss wetland drainage, and, to a lesser extent, changes in land use (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bismarck Area Office, North Dakota).