ABSTRACT
Wetlands are thought to contribute to flow stability by both desynchronizing peak flows and by slowly releasing stored water during dry periods. This chapter presents the results of a study of a large wetland complex located in the upper Tittabawassee River basin of Michigan’s lower peninsula. It examines both the water discharge and water quality characteristics of a series of small to medium size catchments with varying degrees of wetland cover. The chapter aim to determine the degree to which wetlands contribute to improved water quality and enhanced flow stability in a larger stream system. The wetlands are diverse and include lowland deciduous forest, hardwood and shrub swamp, open marsh, and bog communities. Water yields from the high wetland catchments were significantly greater than those from the low wetland catchments. Alkalinity and conductivity were significantly greater, and turbidity tended to be greater, in the low wetland catchments.
