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A simulation methodology was developed for evaluating the flood mitigation potential of inland wetlands. The methodology accommodates widely used computer models with generally available input data. Being a watershed simulation approach, the methodology can assess the potential for downstream flooding resulting from a reduction in upstream wetland storage capacities. The wetland encroachment scheme resembles the well‐tested method of flood insurance studies and allows partial filling of a wetland. Simulations were performed for different antecedent moisture conditions, rainfall intensities and degrees of wetland encroachment. Results showed that encroachment on less than 25% of a wetland area would have only minimal impact on peak flows. In addition, results showed that downstream main‐stem wetlands are more effective in reducing downstream flooding than upstream wetlands.
Ogawa et al. (Wed,) studied this question.