The Fort Chambers / Poor Farm property is in the natural floodplain of Boulder Creek, with approximately 48 acres of wetlands and open water. These wetlands are supported, in part, by irrigation water draining off the adjacent agricultural fields. Wetlands and riparian forests enhance water quality, collect flood waters and provide valuable habitat for a variety of wildlife and breeding birds, including neotropical migrants which breed in the region and then migrate to Central and/or South American for the winter. Because wetlands support both aquatic and terrestrial plant and animal species, they contain a disproportionately high level of biodiversity relative to other ecosystems. The following pages provide a description of the mapped wetland types and associated classifications.

This wetland type consists of palustrine emergent temporarily (PEMA) or seasonally (PEMC) flooded wetlands that occupy approximately 0.43-acres. The PEMA wetlands are dominated by arctic rush (Juncus arcticus), scratchgrass (Muhlenbergia asperifolia), and slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus). A small 0.03-acre PEMC wetland dominated by sedges (Carex spp.) borders on a scrub-shrub wetland in the south-central portion of the site. Wet meadows dominated by wetland grasses and sedges are a common wetland type found on OSMP properties within the grasslands.

This wetland type consists of palustrine emergent seasonally (PEMC) or semi-permanently flooded (PEMF) wetlands that occupy approximately 12.89-acres of the site. Most of the emergent marsh on site includes the large cattail (Typha spp.) marsh that borders on the northernmost pond or as small fringe wetlands along the edges of open water that are dominated by cattail and bulrush (Scheonoplectus spp.). There is a large PEMC/PEMF emergent marsh within the forested area located in the central portion of the site. This wetland appears to be receiving runoff from a ditch along the adjacent livestock field. Dominant vegetation in this wetland includes several sedge species, blue vervain (Verbena hastata), common three-square (Schoenoplectus pungens), and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). Cattail marshes are a common wetland type found throughout the grassland properties managed by OSMP. However, the emergent marsh located within the forested area is unique to this property and is not common on other properties managed by OSMP.

This wetland type consists of palustrine scrub shrub temporarily (PSSA) and semi-permanently (PSSF) flooded wetlands dominated by coyote willow (Salix exigua). These wetlands occupy approximately 0.78-acres of the site. The PSSA wetlands are primarily located along pond edges while the single PSSF wetland, located along the south-central portion of the site, borders a large cattail marsh and wet meadow. Scrub-shrub wetlands are a common wetland type found on OSMP managed properties.

This wetland type consists of palustrine forested temporarily (PFOA) and seasonally (PFOC) flooded wetlands occupying approximately 2.94-acres of the site. These wetlands are located west and south of the pond in the north section of the site. Forested wetlands west of the pond appear to receive hydrologic inputs from ditches along the agricultural field to the west. Flow was observed into the wetland from two separate ditches during the field visit. These forested wetlands are also contiguous with the large cattail marsh to the east, therefore also receiving some hydrologic inputs from the marsh and pond system. Dominant vegetation in these wetlands includes plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides) in the overstory with reed canarygrass, common three-square, sedges, and cattails in the understory. The forested wetland south of the pond is a large depressional area with a berm separating it from the pond. This area also appears to receive its hydrology from ditch runoff. Forested wetlands are a unique wetland type and are uncommon on OSMP managed properties. Forested wetlands tend to have a more diverse forest structure than adjacent upland habitats and therefore provide important migratory corridors, foraging areas and shade cover for birds and mammals.

There are four excavated ponds classified as palustrine unconsolidated bottom intermittently exposed (PUBG) and excavated (PUBGx). There is approximately 31.21 acres of open water on the site. The ponds vary in depth and provide important habitat for aquatic species and foraging opportunities for both diving ducks (e.g. mergansers, scaup) as well as dabbling ducks (e.g. northern shoveler, wood duck). The deeper ponds remain unfrozen for longer, providing a refuge for wintering waterfowl during cold periods when many other waterbodies freeze over. These are part of a complex of ponds created by gravel mining operations across the Boulder Creek floodplain.

The Boulder Creek riparian corridor is a valuable ecological resource that supports aquatic species, nesting birds and rare plant communities; it also serves as an important movement corridor for other species, providing water, food and cover. In addition, riparian areas help maintain a healthy stream ecosystem by removing excess nutrients and sediment from surface runoff, controlling water temperature through tree and shrub canopy cover, and stabilizing stream banks. Dominant vegetation along the creek corridor includes plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides), coyote willow (Salix exigua) and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifoli).

Upland areas have been heavily disturbed by previous land uses and generally lack native understory. Russian olive trees dominate with several other noxious weeds observed including Canada thistle, Scotch thistle, yellow toadflax and myrtle spurge. Recent weed management efforts include removal of several Russian olive trees, eradication of myrtle spurge plants (a List A noxious weed and highest priority for removal) and removal of weeds along travel ways to help reduce additional spread.